True fact: I’ve put more miles on my bikes this year than my car.
It’s been awhile since I did the math. The numbers keep going in the right direction. A direction that humbles me, makes me thankful that I can be out there, and creates happiness. About 99 percent of the time. Today on a sunny lunch ride I had to brake hard at 35 mph to miss an SUV whose driver looked my direction, then promptly pulled out in front of me. The irony: the SUV had a bike rack on the back. Empty of course, but I’m still not sure what to think of the encounter. Later, though, on a fun downhill stretch through Poway, my bike computer showed 44 mph. The same computer displayed 10 mph going up the consistent 7 percent grade less than an hour earlier. That’s the beauty of riding. Miles and feet. Up and down. Fast and slow. I’m glad my Garmin records the data. I wish it had a camera to capture motorists hilarity, but alas, maybe someday. Here are my 2009 year-to-date statistics:
6,008 miles
435,046 feet
At a Penny per mile, that mileage rounds out to $60. I hope you consider making such a donation to the charity of your choice. If you’re game to do it (your choice in the privacy of your own lives), here are a few organizations to consider. I hope your riding and training is rewarding you with good health, a steady resolve and peace. I’m chipping away at the two-wheeled manifesto. It promises to be my longest post ever. I can feel it.
Related posts:
- Turning point You know the moment when things are turning in the right direction. The turning point. It’s when you ride within yourself. No longer do you obscenely go over your limit or flirt with an epic bonk. You stay within the rivet, and occasionally on the rivet. You know, “in difficulty.” But...
- The art of waving I crossed paths with more than 100 bicycles today. The Southern California coastline is a weekend magnet for riders of all ages, abilities and aspirations. The bikes I saw shared many things in common. The obvious: two wheels, handlebars, saddles, pedals. And the human: Lots of riders with blank faces....
- Penny per mile: the week that was Happy to be over the health funk that had me down the previous week. Feeling better. Climb to Kaiser is next Saturday. This week is about staying healthy and beginning the taper for the big effort. Here are my numbers for the past week, as well as year to date:...
- Data points Here are the latest numbers year-to-date: 5,318 miles 375,146 feet climbed Not sure what the fall season has in store (other than the Austin Livestrong Challenge and The Borrego Double Ordeal), but looking forward to the path on which I’m pedaling. End of summer in San Diego means a few things....
- Carbon footprint Today is Blog Action Day 2009. I’m no radical environmentalist who chains himself to redwoods. But I want to know how to reduce my carbon footprint. Naturally this relates directly cycling. Terrific. Yet there’s so much more. If learning the size of your carbon footprint sounds pie-in-the-sky, take heart. This...
