The Concho Pearl and my bike earlier this week
Nope, I have not been writing about it much, but it's still going and I am still pedaling - a lot! (Or at least a lot for an out-of-shape middle-ager.)
So far, I have ridden more than 50 miles on the bike this week. And I hope to do five or so more today.
So, let's be very honest here. I can not afford an electric car - not even one of those really inexpensive used Nissan Leafs. I can't afford a decent non-electric car. Shoot - I can't even afford a decent electric bike. But it's funny, that lack of money has turned out to be a blessing in a lot of ways.
If I could afford an electric car, I fear I'd be quite lazy (and smugly self-righteous to boot!)
For my own personal code of ethics, choosing to burn gasoline is wrong, so I have worked to have a life where I do not have to burn much gasoline. I live in a flat place where it rains and snows very little. I work five miles from home. Most days, I work in the office. I have bought (second-hand but very functional) electric or manual yard implements.
And I ride a bike as much as possible.
So, I am healthier, lighter, stronger, and more at peace. (I like myself and others better when I ride than when I drive.)
And all of that fits right in with the thing that gave me a big push in becoming a bicycle commuter - the National Bike Challenge.
It may shock you, but I am generally not a competitive person. It shows up here and there, but generally it's not what I'm known for. Strangely, that goes out the window when it's National Bike Challenge time.
That's me in first - but it's a tenuous lead!
You see, there's a guy in town named David, and he and I have fought it out all summer. I don't know David, but he has become a bigger part of my life than I'm ready to admit. Every day I log in to see where we are standing, and it's reaching a fever pitch. You see, the challenge ends in SIX DAYS!
My stats for this year
You can see from my stats how much I owe to David. Ten percent of my points for this challenge have come from this week. And it's all his fault. (And I don't even know if he knows that I exist.)
To be honest, my legs are getting tired, but I plan to keep pushing all week! Thank you NBC! Thank you David, Les, Bradley, Spencer, and Allen for pushing me to ride more. Thank you to my Toni for putting up with all the biking!
David, if I ever meet you I'll buy you a beverage in a non-disposable cup!
May we all find encouragement in the healthy places!
Bonus San Angelo on a Bike pics:
It's a town with culture,
and a river,
and River Beetles,
and one seriously cool trash can. (It would be even cooler if it were a whole recycle train!)
