Goals 15/16 - Introduction: Current State of Affairs

As i mentioned in an earlier post during the Introspective Journaling 21-day challenge, i've given myself the following goals for my 31st year of existence:

• Read/watch 17 books or documentaries
• to do 5000 pullups
• to not go further into debt
• to "not fuck up my relationship" with my fiance
• dedicate 24 hours to service/volunteerism
• meditate for 24 hours

My challenges in the upcoming months will be dedicated to the completion of these goals.  As i pretty much live by Google Sheets, i've created a spreadsheet to track my progress.  The spreadsheet, appropriately titled "15/16" can be viewed (and commented on) by clicking on that link.

I'm looking forward to completing these 6 goals and becoming a better person because of it.  Follow my progress! 

Litter - Conclusion

As if the lack of posts weren't enough indication, the 21 day litter challenge did not go as planned.  I did pick up other people's trash on most days, but other days i didn't even leave the house.  The lack of unemployment has taken a psychological toll.  I continue to remind myself that this is an opportunity, though.

Regardless, here are some of the photo uploads from the challenge:

Although the challenge wasn't necessarily a success, i cleaned up the neighborhood a bit.  Each piece helps.

I'll undertake a new challenge in September.  Stay tuned!

Litter - Days 2 and 3

I picked up a piece of trash yesterday, but i forgot to upload a pic.  It was one of those wrappers that you get with donuts. (in case you were interested)  Here's today piece of somebody else's trash that i picked up:

Litter - Day 1

Due to an unexpected job loss, the challenge is off to a late start.  However, it begins today.  Here's the first of 21 days of picking up somebody else's trash:

Litter - Introduction

Inspired by the quote, be the change you wish to see in the world, for the next 21 days i'll pick up at least one piece of (somebody else's) trash.  I'll upload a picture of what i found.

I hope that this challenge will make me more aware of the trash around me and the amount of garbage that i contribute.

TED Talk a Day - Day 11: How to Use One Paper Towel by Joe Smith

I heard about this video from a friend of mine.  I'll admit that i haven't fully implemented the one towel rule.  However, after watching this talk i'm going to make a better attempt.  Here are my notes:

• 571,230,000 pounds of paper will be saved each year by Americans by adopting this 1 paper towel rule
• SHAKE -- FOLD
• Shake your hands 12 times, fold the paper towel in half, and dry your hands
• The fold is important because it allows interstitial suspension

And the talk:

The Golden Rule in Action

An event occurred the other day and i thought it might be worth highlighting on the blog.  I'm using the term highlighting here as a synonym for ranting.

A friend of mine and i were boarding the bus and i put my pack down next to the seat.  I fidgeted it with for longer than i should've because i couldn't get it under the seat in a manner that i deemed sufficient.

My friend looked at me and said, "dude, just leave it alone."  I let him know that i wanted to make sure that it was out of everybody's way.  He said, "who cares if somebody has to take a half-step out of their way?"

I do.

I would rather make a little extra effort that benefits the majority than be lazy and make 18 people take that half-step.  What if somebody were to trip and break a hip?

Ultimately, it's the Golden Rule in action.  I would want the other passengers to take an extra second to ensure my comfort and safety so i act accordingly.  (I'm not trying to say i'm a saint, fuck off with that shit.)  

Unfortunately, a lot of people are like my friend.  They aren't worried about other people. They probably don't even cross their mind.  It's their world and we're just living in it.

It's frustrating as hell.

*end rant*

No Vehicle - Conclusion and Progress Pictures

Almost a week has passed since the "No Vehicle" challenge has ended.  I'm happy to report that i've ridden the bike to work every day with the exception of one occasion when it was raining and once when i had to run an errand.  If riding the bike was a viable option, that's the option i chose.

I find it much more enjoyable going to work via bike than car.  It's something to look forward to, i get exercise, and it energizes me for the rest of the day.

Speaking of exercise, here are the latest BODY stats:

Slowly but surely.  I have to keep reminding myself that it's a marathon and not a sprint.  

I will almost certainly continue riding my bike to work as often as possible, although i'm nervous of the impending summer heat wave.  On to the next one!

No Vehicle - Day 21

Today is the final day of the 21 Day No Vehicle challenge.  I had baseball practice so i slung my bat bag over my shoulders and pedaled to practice as a schoolboy would.  It felt good.  The ride isn't difficult at all but i had never ridden my bike to practice before.  This challenge has definitely shed some light on how often i rely on my car, whether it's warranted or not.

I'm happy with the way this challenge went down.  Progress pics and a conclusion to come shortly!

No Vehicle - Day 20

Today i participated in the Roll Beyond Coal event in Asheville.  A group of activists got together and we took to the streets on our bikes to protest coal and promote clean energy.

It was a great way to meet some people and embrace the "no vehicle" challenge!

No Vehicle - Day 19

There was nothing out of the ordinary about yesterday so I'll skip that post.  I rode to work and back twice, as usual, equaling about 7.5 miles.

Today was the last day i was committed to riding to work and guess what?  I awoke to soaking wet roads.  Thanks for this one final test universe!

Anyways, i wanted to share with you the biking gear i purchased that made this challenge a little more bearable and easy to manage.

Shown in the first picture is the bike, a rain jacket, backpack with bicycle light, cleats, gloves, and a helmet.

Here's a shot of the pedals:

The metal piece on the cleats clips into the pedals:

So that's some of the gear that helped me with the challenge.  By no means did i NEED any of it (aside from the bike and the helmet) but they were all good purchases that i will continue to use.

No Vehicle - Day 16 & 17

Yesterday my buddy came into town again so i drove to drop him off.  He took a taxi in and it cost him $30.  Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.  I rode my bike to work as usual and after work we walked to the Wedge.

It seems as though karma gets the best of me as this morning the roads were soaking wet. My punishment for driving yesterday.  I arrived to work soaked and dirty.  All part of the game, though.

I'm confident that i'll continue to drive as little as possible upon completion of this challenge!

No Vehicle - Day 15

Back to work, back on the bike.  I rode the normal 7.5 miles as i do each workday.  My thighs were especially sore this evening.  Probably the worst they've felt since i began the challenge.  Must be my karma for driving yesterday.

I also fell again.  On some side alley tucked away from everybody?  No, in front of a popular restaurant at lunchtime.  Chalk another one up to the clip on pedals.  My chain slipped off and i hadn't realized it.  I tried to start pedaling, the pedal spun around in a half-circle, and i tipped over.  I'll spare the pictures of the bruise this time..

No Vehicle - Day 14

I drove today.  A good friend of mine is a truck driver and had a chance to stop at a nearby truckstop for the afternoon.  I could've had my girlfriend drive out and get him but that's defeating the purpose.  Further, the challenge was never about making life more difficult for other people.  

I chose to pick him up and since i broke the "no vehicle" rule i figured i might as well make it worthwhile.  We took a ride out to Brevard and hiked Looking Glass Rock. 

Just because i used my car today doesn't mean the challenge is over.  I fully intend to hop on the bike in the morning and pedal my way to work!

No Vehicle - Day 13

I still have yet to drive, but i rode along with my girlfriend to go grocery shopping.  At this point, i'm not confident that i could completely replace my vehicle.  It would be "less-than-convenient" to have to go grocery shopping multiple times per week because i can't haul a full load on my bike.

I also play adult league baseball and there's no way i'd be willing to ride to all of the games.  We play on fields as far as 20 miles away.

That's not really the point, though.  I am fully confident that at the end of this challenge i will be more likely to ride my bike to places i normally would've drove.  That will improvement enough for me.

No Vehicle - Day 11 & 12

Thursday went as planned.  I rode from home to work twice as usual but Thursday morning it was automatic to reach for the bike.  Up until that point, it was still a bit odd going for my bike instead of the car.  I felt like it was a turning point in the challenge.  The rest will be easy.

Friday i awoke to wet pavement which isn't the most pleasant way to ride to work.  I arrived wet and slightly muddy but that's why i don't wear my work clothes on the bike!

Two workweeks down, only one more to go!

No Vehicle - Day 10

Nothing extraordinary today.  The typical 7.5 miles that get me from home to work and back again twice per day.

I also strength trained this evening.  I worked out Monday as well.  Last week i didn't even want to think about lifting weights after riding the bike but this week my energy levels have been higher.

Although i thought this would be the toughest challenge so far, it seems like it's been the most beneficial.

Stay tuned!

No Vehicle - Day 9

I was able to experience my first night right tonight!  I met some friends for dinner and a drink (or two) and left around 9:15.  I was prepared with a headlamp and a flashing red light on my backpack.  I figured it would be best to wait until complete darkness as opposed to riding at dusk as my lights would be that much brighter at night.

I'll take a picture of my gear eventually but in the meantime here's this:

That would be my thigh.  This challenge hasn't come without a learning curve (or three).

I have clip-in pedals, which i'll cover in the "gear" post but basically my cleats attach to my pedals.  It allows me to "pull" up on the pedals whereas typically you can only "push" down on the pedals.  This allows me to do more work with the same amount of effort.  It also means my feet are attached to my pedals and that's not always a good thing when you start to fall.

It's a small price that i'm willing to pay.

No Vehicle - Day 8

I really wasn't looking forward to getting on my bike and riding to work this morning but i did it anyway.  The excitement of the first week of the challenge is gone and it almost seemed like a chore.

The feeling didn't last though.  I'm starting to notice some positive changes in my body including having more endurance than i did a month ago.  I'm still losing weight as well.  I plan to post a progress pic at the end of the challenge.  It's still hard to believe that i was 25 pounds heavier less than a year ago.  Noticing the incremental changes is enough to keep my ass on the bike for another 13 days.

No Vehicle - Day 6 & 7

I continued down my "vehicle-less" path this weekend but i did catch a few rides.  We took the puppy hiking on Saturday and went on a bike ride on Sunday.  Since it was my girlfriend's week to buy groceries, i didn't have to deal with that headache yet.

Here's a pic we took during our hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway:

Week two begins tomorrow!