It’s that time of year–May aka Bike Month–when we’re supposed to celebrate bicycles extra hard. Why? Because the League of American Cyclists and other groups say so. The other 11 months you can just fuggehaboudit. There’s Bike to School Day; Bike to Work Day with breakfast tacos, free swag, a self-congratulatory after-party; a Clinic on beginning City Cycling (not for the faint at heart); a Frankenbike sale; and so on. But we here at A Dude Abikes have to ask the hard-hitting questions that our award-unwinning journalistic reportage and yooge, bigly ethics require and wonder: Does Bike Month ever really accomplish its goals? Does it matter? To quote the great pop rock band Chicago’s question in a song: “Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?”
Continue readingclimate change
10/1/2023: Third Quarterly Report of My Bicycling Strava Stats
I’m not religious, but Halle-freakin’-Berry! Or lujah, or whatever. The record high heat has finally peaked in Central Texas. We had 80 days of 100 degrees or more this summer, and the average highs were higher than ever. Weather patterns mixed with global warming definitely made it a miserable time. The good news is that the triple-digit days are over for a while. Fortunately, this week we’ll be getting some much needed rain and sustained highs in the 80’s for the first time in four months. Weather is definitely a major factor that influences one’s bicycle-riding. Adn let me tell you there were a lot of nights full of sweat, suffering, and struggle. Nevertheless, your dude A Dude Abikes has somehow persisted to pedal.
September in Texas is still pretty hot. Avoiding the sun’s harmful UV rays is more important than ever. One thing that has helped me do that is going to the gym and using the indoor trainer aka stationary bike. I was required to change abodes (move) again, but at least I’m nearer to the gym for a little while. The trainer is boring as heck, like watching a drill making a tunnel, but the air conditioning, fans, and watching videos make it tolerable. There are no hills, just a knob to adjust the resistance, but also no trafffic or getting slowed down by riding sidewalks. Instead of my usual 10-11 mph, I’ll get to 13-14. I always feel like I’m cheating, except I know I’m not, because I sweat like a CEO at a Congressional hearing.
In July and August I rode 407 and 406 miles minus about 40 miles walking each. I did pretty well to make up for the hot months by totalling 596.9 miles in September (again, subtract 40 in walks). That’s a pretty substantial increase. Lower temperatures certainly helped, although I still do most of my riding at night, and it can still be in the 90’s “real feel” temperature counting the humidity.
Another help was the loss of some weight. I’d put on some pounds for several reasons: avoiding the heat meant less exercising and being inside with the air conditioning meant food was nearby. Food is fuel… except when it isn’t. Being a fathlete (fat athlete) is not easy; I do my best to make good dietary choices, but after over five years of that not accomplishing much, I have to remember that genetics, health challenges, and access to high-quality food, also make life challenging. Plus, I had the stress of finding new rental housing in Austin’s exorbitantly priced market and the moving, so stress eating does happen.
Luckily, peer pressure from the new housemate and a smaller place means less late-night cooking. I also have been watching a lot less television by not having a TV in my bedroom and have lost access to several streaming services. I’m still having a salad most nights, but often am not hungry for much else. These are all small, but good things–marginal gains–that hopefully will accrue into better habits and health. It’s not a linear progression, and just like you, I’m a work in progress.
Whether on a trainer or on the streets of Austin, the time and effort that my daily walking, yoga, and especially more bicycling takes is… a lot. I wrote complained about that in my previous post, When You Can’t Get Your Drug of Choice: Bicycling. In fact, in September I exercised for 92 hours, which is over two work weeks. The math is pretty clear: I really should simply quit cycling and get back to work full time. In 2016-17, the first two years of my biking and blogging and journey, I totalled to 10,000 miles on the bike. All but one of those months I was employed full time.
However, we humans are not always rational robotic machines, are we? Also, I suck at math. But there is one formula I’ve seen the last three months which I do fully understad: less exercise = more fat. My weight was up a lot, and after about 200 more miles, it’s back down by almost as much. So while I definitely need to get smarter about time management, I’m not ready to quit. My resting heart rate shot up due to stress, and now it’s down even lower than it was before. And by the way, I just saw my cardiologist and he approves.
In 2020, the first year of The Pandemic, my monthly average was about the same as last month: 550 miles. (Read all about that at A Devil of a Year: 6,666.66 Miles Bicycled…) I’m older now, but it’s nice to know can still throw down and ramp up if I need to. Hopefully, I can keep it up. (“That’s what she said,” according to one Mr. Michael Scott, a paper company manager in President Joe Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
So, the first three quarters of 2023 are in the bag. October will bring my big annual ride and four years of consecutive daily cycling (not verified by Guiness–neither the Book of World Records nor the dark Irish stout). Autumn also has more rain and temperatures falling, and then we have the cold of winter. Milder than many sure, but Snowpocalpyse and ice storm power outages could return. If more trainer rides are forecast, so be it. I’ll continue to strive towards my goal of 5,309 miles. Don’t ask me why, that’s just the way it is. And hey, I’m doing my tiny part to reduce my carbon footprint.
How were your first three quarters of cycling or other activities? Feel free to share your thoughts below. Thanks for reading!
Copyright 2023 A Dude Abikes. All rights reserved. Shortlink to this post.
9/9/2023: Sit-Down with Sommar at 2,000 Miles (+ Totals of 40,000 Miles & 1,000,000 Feet Elevation)
As my annual big ride approaches, I noticed three statistics on my sports application Strava that seemed noteworthy, to moi at least, and maybe to you, faithful reader. My total mileage just surpassed 40,000 miles, and elevation passed 1,000,000 feet since I began recording, basically the very end of 2015. But the one that jumped out at me was the 2,000 miles I’ve ridden on Sommar (pronouced some ALL) the Fuji Finest bicycle. I was kindly gifted here when Sonnie the GT Arette was stolen and missing for a week. After a cool cat named Orion gave me the bike, at first I wasn’t sure she would work out. Those skinny tires, curvy drop bars, and nimble frame all gave me pause. But she and A Dude are getting along pretty well, so here’s an imaginary convo with the saucy, sexy minx herself.
Continue readingSommar Time, and the Bikin’ Is Sweaty; I Heat It
Summer solstice was June 21, but the heat that’s normally in August arrived early to Austin and Central Texas. With multiple days over 100 F even before the official start of the sucky season, we’re sweating to the oldies two months early. Last year was the second hottest summer on record here, so pessimism for pain is high. So much for the slow descent into hell which gives us time to adjust. Mix in the urban heat island effect (thanks to so many people moving here and all the concrete from constructing more roads and houses), the El Nino weather pattern, and of course global warming, and it’s a recipe for hotness. What’s a bikin’ dude, and his trusty Fuji Finest bicycle dubbed Sommar, to do?
Continue reading8/8/2022: Biking While the Heat Is On in Austin
We’re on track to have the hottest summer EVER in Austin, Texas. (Climate science deniers ought to move along right now.) Texans are accustomed to the heat, but not like this. In 2011 we had 90 days over 100 F. So far in 2022, we’ve had 58 of those 100+ days. May, June, and July were record breaking hot. August is the worst month. Also, it’s barely rained, so we’re in an extreme drought. Many places from France and the UK to California are experiencing extra high temperatures. The hotness makes bicycling, as well as other important activities like standing up, breathing, and putting on pants a bit challenging.
Continue readingWandering and Wondering Through a Winter… Whateverland
The fourth season is upon us, and my mind and mood have turned pensive and inward upon themselves. Navigating the chilling winds of winter by bicycle, or metaphorically, each have their challenges. Even though it’s still near record temperatures and shorts weather, the university students have decamped to their hometowns, lending a quiet to the city. Yet there is all the busy-ness of the haul-idays, people be shopping like fiends. People will tell you this season is about one particularly religious holiday. Others will says it’s just winter, and still more think it’s about being neighborly. But really, let’s be honest here. Isn’t supporting the American economy — particularly it’s multinational corporations — what Christmastime is really about?
Continue reading15 YEARS NOT A SLAVE TO CARS!
This is my fifth annual post about being car-free since 1/25/2005. Technically I’m car-light, since I drove borrowed cars for a job for part of last summer also visited relatives over the holidays. On the other hand, I managed my best year ever combined and walking and biking – 5,633 miles.
I did that while on a bike that has 67% fewer gears and is 25% heavier steel (Sophie) than my old aluminum steed (Sookie). I’m no Greta Thunberg, but I do think reducing car use is a good thing. Not everyone can do it, but some people might be able to try it. That’s all I’m saying. Well, in this paragraph at least.
Continue readingAutumn Is Here-ish, but It’s Still Hot. Thanks Alot, Climate Change!
I just heard that September in Central Texas was HOTTER than July. That’s nuts. You know what else is nuts? A Dude Abikes not riding his bike most every day, and in fact, hardly at all. But because I’m working my tuchus off so I don’t have the time or energy to bike, the silver lining is that I’m avoiding having to bike in the ongoing heat wave. However, the downside of not biking is weight gain, feeling blah, and as if I’m cheating — which I am. Because, work.
Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg, the 16-year old Swede who has become the face of the climate change movement was in the US for a speech and the climate strike. I haven’t read much but what I have is impressive. And by the way, I know one thing that can help: ride your damn bikes, everybody! Of course you could say it’s hypocritical of me driving a car for work for eight weeks, and you’d be right. But I’ve done plenty of miles (20,000 and counting) and will do plenty more soon enough.
Continue readingShoal Creek Protected Bike Lanes in Progress; Dang It’s Hot in Austin, Texas!
A while back I mentioned an important victory for bicyclists in Austin, Texas. It was the decision by the City, after the input by citizens, to add protected bike lanes to Shoal Creek Boulevard, a major road used by people on bikes. Today they sent notice that that process has begun. Additionally, it’s pretty hot in Austin, and that’s making biking hard if not downright unpleasant for for many people, self included. So we have the good, the bad, and well, if you’re hot and sweaty enough, that also covers the ugly.
Continue readingIt’s Always Earth Day for Bicyclists, but We Need More Butts on Bikes
Official Earth Day is later this month, but in Austin, Texas the 2019 edition is celebrated April 13. The promotional materials encourage people to not drive (even a Prius?), but rather to, scoot, walk, take public transit, carpool if they must take a car, and of course, bike. They even have a bike valet area. A Dude went last year and enjoyed hanging with other ecologically-minded folks. Because whether you bike 10 miles a week or 100, you’re doing something to save the planet. Every bicyclist is an environmentalist. You know what they say, Love Your Mother (Earth)! (Or else!)
Biking Definitely Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
I definitely identify as a tree-hugging, air-breathing, water- drinking, carbon-based life form. But after 14 Years Not a Slave to Cars, I don’t think about it much. So I got to wondering, how much have I reduced my carbon footprint? Probably quite a bit.
One general calculation comes from the European Cyclist Federation in Brussels, Belgium. They claim that for each passenger who travels a kilometer in a car, they are producing 271 grams of CO2. A cyclist uses 21 grams. Add that up, and especially given that cars go alot faster and farther than bikes, it is substantial. That’s significant, but only one measurement.
But is that all there is to the story? No, but in a short blog I can’t delve into all the science. Here’s a great link from People for Bikes, citing numerous statistics on the subject, if you want to geek out on more studies. A number of the stats imagine what would happen if commuters increased their trips by bike and the savings that would accrue, assuming the commuter was previously driving their car. It’s pretty much a no-brainer. Biking is better for the planet. But so what? There’s a lot more to getting people’s butts out of their cars and onto bikes than telling people it’s good for the environment, or even healthy them.
Bike Infrastructure Has to Be Safe and Convenient
Today I met a bus driver who commutes to work by bicycle. He’s doing his part personally and professionally to reduce pollution. For him and others to do that on a regular basis, there have to be safe routes to get there, and those pathways need to be convenient. Even in Austin, as in many less fortunate cities, bike lanes are insufficient, unprotected, not connected, or just non-existent. And of course, two stripes of paint on the road won’t protect you from a shitty driver who’s distracted and runs into you. Some sort of barrier like plastic bollards, street turtles (aka city titties) or even curbs provide more safety.
That’s a larger, complicated, costly policy issue. Fortunately, we are starting to see the benefits of two bond elections that added millions of dollars to the coffers for bike lanes, sidewalks, and other traffic improvements. But once that money is all spent, there will still be vast room for improvement to finish the job. It will never be 100% safe to drive a car, ride a bike, or use a sidewalk in Austin. But one can work toward this by advocating individually and collectively.
But back to Earth Day being every day for bicyclists. Right now, the population of US workers who commutes is small. The more people who bike, the more other people will see it as a “normal” activity. A large part of getting bikes on butts is education. Currently, there is a huge gap between those who need that education — both new bike riders, especially kids, and car drivers and the reality, that it’s hard to connect educators with students. Especially given the question of funding and finding available insturctors.
More Butts on Bikes: How?
Bike commuting is in trouble. According to a January 2, 2019 article in USA Today, “Fewer in USA bike to work despite new trails, lanes and bicycle share programs,” from 2016 to 2017, 3.2% less people biked to their jobs. That number comes from the US Census Bureau which does an ongoing American Community Survey. That’s from a high of
904,463 in 2014 to 836,569.
However, according to the League of American Cyclists, which grants the
League Cycling Instructor (LCI) designation, there may be more to those numbers. While big cities like the Bay Area and Seattle lost some riders, other cities like Philly and DC gained them. Explanations could include the rise of ride-sharing, weather, increased car traffic, the low cost of gas, and the lack of significant infrastructure improvements.
“It shows that while we have made investments over the last 20 years” in bicycle infrastructure, “we are still far from having safe and connected networks that make people feel safe biking to work,” said Ken McLeod, the League’s policy director.
Source: USA Today, Ibid.
Let’s Get to Educating and Agitating
When I became an LCI last year, I had hoped to find older students who wanted to get on their bikes but were afraid. So far, I have not pursued that as a side business. Nor have I been invited to help teach any classes. Part of that is on me for not marketing myself, but some of it is having the right connections to the institutions and funders that can provide grants and students. It’s my hope that this is something to which I can contribute. Because an educated cyclist is a confident, smart and safe cyclist who is going to be a model for others. And the more cyclists, the better. There is safety in numbers.
Aside from education, the other ingredient is agitation. I’ve done a good bit of that, being awarded Bike Austin‘s Advocacy Ambassador of the year in 2017. As that group rebuilds as an all-volunteer organization, events like Bike to Work Day (May 17, 2019), can help. But there are far more cyclists than members. Everyone who bikes needs to speak truth to power to get more protections for cyclists. Bike Texas is doing that at the state level; I was fortunate to attend their Cyclists in Suits Lobby Day.
But until a massive amount of bike riders learn the rules of the road — and follow them — and band together to be a political force for good, we are likely to remain targets, in the shadows, and an afterthought on the roads. So if you’re reading this here are some questions to mull over:
- If you cycle, do you belong to your local bike group?
- If not, why not?
- If there isn’t one, can you start one?
- And if you are not a cyclist, or don’t commute because you don’t feel confident or safe doing so, what would it take for you to be comfortable?
If you’re in Austin and want to learn more about getting educated and active, my email is on the About page.
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