The Big 25
"The automobile has not merely taken over the street, it has dissolved the living tissue of the city. Its appetite for space is absolutely insatiable; moving and parked, it devours urban land, leaving the buildings as mere islands of habitable space in a sea of dangerous and ugly traffic."--James Marston Fitch, New York Times, May 1, 1960
Today it has been 25 days of not driving.
Although Monday night for the Chastain Concert I drove Caitlin and I there, her car is messed up so we drove in mine. So technically I have been like 99.5% car-FREE, BUT that was the only time I've drove in 25 days. Still pretty impressive and it's not like it was driving alone. I told myself when I started this that car-pooling was ok- just no driving alone was allowed. I have rode my bike to work and home everyday, sometimes using a multi-modal commute of riding MARTA with my bike. I've lost about 5 pounds and at least a pant size, my lung capacity has increased as I'm not out of breathe after the ride, my legs feel stronger and I have so much more energy at work. I feel awake at work at 8 am, 11am, and even at 3pm. When I drove I would get so tired in the afternoon and when I first got to work in the morning.
I have met some awesome people in this last month, more new people than I've met in the last year! Gabriel whom I met at Critical Mass and then ran into again at the Brownwood Bike Rally invited me to an event on Wednesday night. It was put on by the Atlanta Community Foundation to encourage young Atlanta adults to get out and contribute and get involved with the community. Gabriel was a speaker and told his story about how and why he in as involved as he is. He is on the board of Citizens for Progressive Transit and is also car-free and just a super nice guy.
Gabriel introduced me to Rebecca Serna who is the Executive Director of Atlanta Bicycle Campaign. She has asked me to contact another guy that is wanted to go car free but needs some advice and help- that's where I guess I come in.
Today, I finally met the mystery biker in my building. The gray mountain bike that I see on the rack about 3 days a week, but had not meet the rider. I walked into the cafe downstairs for my morning breakfast (I really need to go grocery shopping- which I will do on my bike) and there was a guy sitting there with a bike helmet on the ground next to him. I'm such a dork and I went right up to him and asked him if he was the mountain bike! After the puzzled look left his face I introduced myself as the gray Mongoose and the bike with the big basket. We talked, turns out he rides in from north of work about 5 miles roundtrip and takes all back roads. we have completely opposite commutes, but I'm so glad to FINALLY have met him. Cool.
I find that it is so much easier to talk to people now. Other bikers, people that are interested in biking and alternative commutes. I think it's because I'm in more situations that are easy to start conversations, but also I just feel so good and so confident these days. Whatever the chemical is that makes conversation with new people easy, I think biking gives you more of that.
My cousin also came with me to the Atlanta Community Foundation event which was really good because she really wants to work for a non-profit and give back and doesn't know where to start. AND she got to meet some really cool bike friends that I met at May's Critical Mass. They told me about another ride that they are putting together in a couple weeks that sounds like a lot of fun. I think she thought they were pretty cool and maybe added a little more inspiration for her getting a bike!
I love riding my bike to and from work. This morning it was surprisingly cool only 61* I had to remind myself that I'm tough and from Alaska! I shivered in my long sleeves until I warmed up. It felt GREAT!
All my good thoughts are going out to those on the GDR and TD like Geoff and Chris. You guys are my heros right now! Can you imagine?
I totally can. I so want to be there too.
Today it has been 25 days of not driving.
Although Monday night for the Chastain Concert I drove Caitlin and I there, her car is messed up so we drove in mine. So technically I have been like 99.5% car-FREE, BUT that was the only time I've drove in 25 days. Still pretty impressive and it's not like it was driving alone. I told myself when I started this that car-pooling was ok- just no driving alone was allowed. I have rode my bike to work and home everyday, sometimes using a multi-modal commute of riding MARTA with my bike. I've lost about 5 pounds and at least a pant size, my lung capacity has increased as I'm not out of breathe after the ride, my legs feel stronger and I have so much more energy at work. I feel awake at work at 8 am, 11am, and even at 3pm. When I drove I would get so tired in the afternoon and when I first got to work in the morning.
I have met some awesome people in this last month, more new people than I've met in the last year! Gabriel whom I met at Critical Mass and then ran into again at the Brownwood Bike Rally invited me to an event on Wednesday night. It was put on by the Atlanta Community Foundation to encourage young Atlanta adults to get out and contribute and get involved with the community. Gabriel was a speaker and told his story about how and why he in as involved as he is. He is on the board of Citizens for Progressive Transit and is also car-free and just a super nice guy.
Gabriel introduced me to Rebecca Serna who is the Executive Director of Atlanta Bicycle Campaign. She has asked me to contact another guy that is wanted to go car free but needs some advice and help- that's where I guess I come in.
Today, I finally met the mystery biker in my building. The gray mountain bike that I see on the rack about 3 days a week, but had not meet the rider. I walked into the cafe downstairs for my morning breakfast (I really need to go grocery shopping- which I will do on my bike) and there was a guy sitting there with a bike helmet on the ground next to him. I'm such a dork and I went right up to him and asked him if he was the mountain bike! After the puzzled look left his face I introduced myself as the gray Mongoose and the bike with the big basket. We talked, turns out he rides in from north of work about 5 miles roundtrip and takes all back roads. we have completely opposite commutes, but I'm so glad to FINALLY have met him. Cool.
I find that it is so much easier to talk to people now. Other bikers, people that are interested in biking and alternative commutes. I think it's because I'm in more situations that are easy to start conversations, but also I just feel so good and so confident these days. Whatever the chemical is that makes conversation with new people easy, I think biking gives you more of that.
My cousin also came with me to the Atlanta Community Foundation event which was really good because she really wants to work for a non-profit and give back and doesn't know where to start. AND she got to meet some really cool bike friends that I met at May's Critical Mass. They told me about another ride that they are putting together in a couple weeks that sounds like a lot of fun. I think she thought they were pretty cool and maybe added a little more inspiration for her getting a bike!
I love riding my bike to and from work. This morning it was surprisingly cool only 61* I had to remind myself that I'm tough and from Alaska! I shivered in my long sleeves until I warmed up. It felt GREAT!
All my good thoughts are going out to those on the GDR and TD like Geoff and Chris. You guys are my heros right now! Can you imagine?
I totally can. I so want to be there too.
Comments