Hello, friends!
It has been FOREVER since I last posted. My apologies. I have been traveling the world these past 3 weeks with no opportunties to bike. Thus, the blog has laid dormant. We are coming up on the end of the school year, which means that soon I will be out of opportunties to pedal in earnest for a bit. So, I figured I would throw down a few lessons that I learned from the past 8 months of biking.
1) Miles mean nothing. METERS are how you make the big bucks. In CoMo, the cheapest meter you are going to find is $.60/hour. Given my current calculations, I would have to bike a little over 6 miles, or 1.5 trips to campus in order to get to $.60, which is great exercise, but it doesn't do much for my job. Definitely the more efficient thing to do is to park Sulu behind the student center for 8 hours (at $1/hour) and let the pennies add up. =0).
2) Biking in the rain isn't the worst thing in the world. I think the best investment that I made this year was getting fenders for Sulu. Before, even if it wasn't raining, biking after a rain sucked because of all the puddles and such. Now, it's actually somewhat pleasant. That was definitely money well spent.
3) Blogging keeps me honest. Thanks to you, my faithful reader(s), I have much more motivation to ride than I did before. There is a certain accountability that comes from knowing that I get to write about my "adventures" and that I also have a goal in mind. So thanks!
Ultimately, these past few months of riding have been great. I am glad that I started, and am looking for many more miles (and pennies) to come!
Stats:
Places: Campus, Jingo's, Campus, Plasma, back to Campus, Bengals, and home.
Distance traveled: 11.4 miles ($1.14)
Meters: 2 hours on campus ($2) + 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 2 more hours on campus ($2)
Total: $6.34
Grand Total: $217.18
Left to Save: $360.42
Happy Biking!
~Adam
The story of a guy trying to rationalize the money he spent on his bike and other random thoughts.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
The Front End of Daylight Savings...
Hello, friends!
It's been a few weeks since Daylight Savings began and most of the US was thrust forward into the future one glorious hour. From my understanding, Daylight Savings was started back in the day as a way to keeping down energy costs. I'm note entirely sure of the logic, but I think it has something to do with business hours and keeping stuff running during particular times. Either way, we've moved ahead one hour and it is getting darker much later in the day.
However, the front end of that means that it is also getting lighter later in the day. Since I have been out of town and not on my bike for a while, this wasn't a big deal. But, this morning I went to work out early in the morning and I realized how dark it still was outside. What is the deal?!
From my understanding of the earth spinning on its axis, as well as observation from the past 27 years of existence, the days are going to get longer on both means, meaning that more time will be added on the front end and the back end of the day, but it was still a bit of a shock to bike out in the dark this morning. I guess that's my fault for trying to get an early start on the day. =0).
Stats:
Places traveled: Campus, Plasma, Campus a few more times, downtown for lunch, and campus again.
Distance traveled: 21.4 miles ($3.04)
Meters: 17 hours on campus ($17) + 6 hours downtown ($7.20)
Total: $27.24
Grand Total: $210.84
Left to Save: $366.76
It's been a few weeks since Daylight Savings began and most of the US was thrust forward into the future one glorious hour. From my understanding, Daylight Savings was started back in the day as a way to keeping down energy costs. I'm note entirely sure of the logic, but I think it has something to do with business hours and keeping stuff running during particular times. Either way, we've moved ahead one hour and it is getting darker much later in the day.
However, the front end of that means that it is also getting lighter later in the day. Since I have been out of town and not on my bike for a while, this wasn't a big deal. But, this morning I went to work out early in the morning and I realized how dark it still was outside. What is the deal?!
From my understanding of the earth spinning on its axis, as well as observation from the past 27 years of existence, the days are going to get longer on both means, meaning that more time will be added on the front end and the back end of the day, but it was still a bit of a shock to bike out in the dark this morning. I guess that's my fault for trying to get an early start on the day. =0).
Stats:
Places traveled: Campus, Plasma, Campus a few more times, downtown for lunch, and campus again.
Distance traveled: 21.4 miles ($3.04)
Meters: 17 hours on campus ($17) + 6 hours downtown ($7.20)
Total: $27.24
Grand Total: $210.84
Left to Save: $366.76
Monday, April 2, 2012
A Sunday Joy Ride...
Hello, friends!
After a fun Spring Break without Sulu, I returned on Sunday, ready to come back and get back to riding daily. I had the chance to use a stationary bike every now and then, so I still got some pedaling in, but I wasn't really going anywhere so I can't count those as real miles.
When I returned on Sunday, I was back home getting some work done when my roommate called and asked if I wanted to go out to dinner when he got back from Ohio. I was totally in and waited for him to come home. When he got back, he had a great idea. Why don't we bike to the restaurant instead of drive?!
So, we biked. It was only a 5 minute ride, but it was totally worth it. Getting back on Sulu and pedaling again was seriously a rush. After a week gone, it felt good to get back to it. This next week is going to be full of riding, I can tell you that!
Stats:
Places traveled: Jingo's and campus.
Distance traveled: 5.4 miles ($.45)
Meters: 3 hours on campus ($3) + 2 hours downtown ($1.20)
Total: $4.65
Grand Total: $183.60
Left to Save: $391.03
Happy Biking!
~Adam
After a fun Spring Break without Sulu, I returned on Sunday, ready to come back and get back to riding daily. I had the chance to use a stationary bike every now and then, so I still got some pedaling in, but I wasn't really going anywhere so I can't count those as real miles.
When I returned on Sunday, I was back home getting some work done when my roommate called and asked if I wanted to go out to dinner when he got back from Ohio. I was totally in and waited for him to come home. When he got back, he had a great idea. Why don't we bike to the restaurant instead of drive?!
So, we biked. It was only a 5 minute ride, but it was totally worth it. Getting back on Sulu and pedaling again was seriously a rush. After a week gone, it felt good to get back to it. This next week is going to be full of riding, I can tell you that!
Stats:
Places traveled: Jingo's and campus.
Distance traveled: 5.4 miles ($.45)
Meters: 3 hours on campus ($3) + 2 hours downtown ($1.20)
Total: $4.65
Grand Total: $183.60
Left to Save: $391.03
Happy Biking!
~Adam
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Cloudy With A Chance of Driving...
Hello, friends!
There's an interesting thing about weather reports. For some reason, reading weather reports make me forget everything I know about statistics, which is a little sad, seeing as how I spent much of my college career being a stastics minor.
Stastics and probability are pretty simple. From a percentages standpoint, if something is under 50%, then it is not likely to happen. If it is over 50%, chances are it is going to happen. This means, in theory, if there is a 30% chance of rain, 7 of 10 times the weather conditions will NOT lead to rain.
But that's not how my brain works. If it's a 30% chance of rain, I am seriously planning on driving instead of biking. If it's 40%, I'm pretty sure that I'll be driving. 50% and it's a practically a guarantee.
What is it about weather reports? All my learning goes out the window when I look out the window and see clouds.
New resolution: I'm biking unless there is legit chance (+50%) of rain. Let's do this! =0).
Stats:
Places Traveled: Just back and forth from Campus with a stop at Plasma
Distances Traveled: 4.0 miles ($.43)
Meters: 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 5 hours on campus ($5)
Total: $6.63
Grand Total: $178.95
Left to Save: $395.68
Happy Biking!
~Adam
There's an interesting thing about weather reports. For some reason, reading weather reports make me forget everything I know about statistics, which is a little sad, seeing as how I spent much of my college career being a stastics minor.
Stastics and probability are pretty simple. From a percentages standpoint, if something is under 50%, then it is not likely to happen. If it is over 50%, chances are it is going to happen. This means, in theory, if there is a 30% chance of rain, 7 of 10 times the weather conditions will NOT lead to rain.
But that's not how my brain works. If it's a 30% chance of rain, I am seriously planning on driving instead of biking. If it's 40%, I'm pretty sure that I'll be driving. 50% and it's a practically a guarantee.
What is it about weather reports? All my learning goes out the window when I look out the window and see clouds.
New resolution: I'm biking unless there is legit chance (+50%) of rain. Let's do this! =0).
Stats:
Places Traveled: Just back and forth from Campus with a stop at Plasma
Distances Traveled: 4.0 miles ($.43)
Meters: 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 5 hours on campus ($5)
Total: $6.63
Grand Total: $178.95
Left to Save: $395.68
Happy Biking!
~Adam
Friday, March 16, 2012
Doppleganger Alert!!!
Hello, friends!
I found my twin! Well, sort of... I actually found Sulu's twin. It's not quite the same, but still pretty cool.
Actually, my guess is that there are several Sulu's around campus. I have seen one that was locked up by the student center as well as Memorial Union. I have also seen one by the rec and by a few classrooms. Apparently it's a pretty popular bike!
However, there is one very important difference I have found. On all the other Sulu wannabes, the bell is on the LEFT side. Sulu's bell is definitely on the right (and by right, I mean RIGHT) side. =0).
Well, I am on my way to Saint Louis for the weekend. I'm going to a Kelly Clarkson concert tonight. Woot!
The Stats:
Places Traveled: Campus a few times with a few errands here and there.
Distance Traveled: 3.5 miles ($.36)
Meters: 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 7 hours on campus ($7)
Total: $8.56
Grand Total: $172.32
Left to Save: $402.31
Happy Biking!
~Adam
I found my twin! Well, sort of... I actually found Sulu's twin. It's not quite the same, but still pretty cool.
Actually, my guess is that there are several Sulu's around campus. I have seen one that was locked up by the student center as well as Memorial Union. I have also seen one by the rec and by a few classrooms. Apparently it's a pretty popular bike!
However, there is one very important difference I have found. On all the other Sulu wannabes, the bell is on the LEFT side. Sulu's bell is definitely on the right (and by right, I mean RIGHT) side. =0).
Well, I am on my way to Saint Louis for the weekend. I'm going to a Kelly Clarkson concert tonight. Woot!
The Stats:
Places Traveled: Campus a few times with a few errands here and there.
Distance Traveled: 3.5 miles ($.36)
Meters: 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 7 hours on campus ($7)
Total: $8.56
Grand Total: $172.32
Left to Save: $402.31
Happy Biking!
~Adam
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Athleticism Defined...
Hello, friends!
An athlete, I am not. Well, at least not a good one. As I look at it, there are 5 traits of athletes:
- Speed: How long does it take you to get from point A to point B?
- Quickness: How are you at changing directions?
- Strength: How much can you pull, push, or lift?
- Endurance: How long can you go?
- Balance: How are you at staying on your feet?
If I were to put myself on a scale, I would say that I was average in most of those areas. But, there is one area where I am absolutely terrible. I have no balance.
My brother will tell you. Staying on my feet is not a strength of mine. Maybe it is because of my flat feet. Maybe I have a smaller (or larger) inner ear than normal and that throws off my equilibrium. It could be a number of different things.
This is pertinent for biking for a number of reasons. One, this probably explains why I have a tendency to crash my bike around once a semester. Also, this is probably the reason why I am unable to do the one thing on a bike that I have always wanted to do... ride with no handle bars.
I see them all the time! Folk will be riding around town with their hands at their sides or under their armpits to keep warm. Sure, it may not be the prettiest image, but it's still something I've always wanted to be able to do. I try from time to time, but I can never last for more than a few seconds.
Anyway, here are the stats:
Places traveled: Campus twice, Parkade for a meeting, and Plasma
Distance traveled: 14.7 miles ($1.47)
Meters: 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 8 hours on campus ($8)
Total: $10.67
Grand Total: $163.76
Left to Save: $410.87
Happy Biking!
~Adam
An athlete, I am not. Well, at least not a good one. As I look at it, there are 5 traits of athletes:
- Speed: How long does it take you to get from point A to point B?
- Quickness: How are you at changing directions?
- Strength: How much can you pull, push, or lift?
- Endurance: How long can you go?
- Balance: How are you at staying on your feet?
If I were to put myself on a scale, I would say that I was average in most of those areas. But, there is one area where I am absolutely terrible. I have no balance.
My brother will tell you. Staying on my feet is not a strength of mine. Maybe it is because of my flat feet. Maybe I have a smaller (or larger) inner ear than normal and that throws off my equilibrium. It could be a number of different things.
This is pertinent for biking for a number of reasons. One, this probably explains why I have a tendency to crash my bike around once a semester. Also, this is probably the reason why I am unable to do the one thing on a bike that I have always wanted to do... ride with no handle bars.
I see them all the time! Folk will be riding around town with their hands at their sides or under their armpits to keep warm. Sure, it may not be the prettiest image, but it's still something I've always wanted to be able to do. I try from time to time, but I can never last for more than a few seconds.
Anyway, here are the stats:
Places traveled: Campus twice, Parkade for a meeting, and Plasma
Distance traveled: 14.7 miles ($1.47)
Meters: 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 8 hours on campus ($8)
Total: $10.67
Grand Total: $163.76
Left to Save: $410.87
Happy Biking!
~Adam
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Getting Rusty...
Hello, friends!
Y'all want to hear something sad? It's been almost two weeks since I've last posted. Do you know why? Because it has been almost 2 weeks since I last rode Sulu around. My last post was March 1. Since then:
- I was in Saint Louis for the weekend for staff meetings
- I spent half a day back in CoMo
- I flew to Long Beach, California for more staff meetings
- I got back last night
So, here I am, 12 days later and still no closer to breaking even...
A review of the stats:
Grand Total: $153.09
Left to Save: $421.54
Here's hoping that I'll get back to it in the next few weeks.
Happy Biking!
~Adam
Y'all want to hear something sad? It's been almost two weeks since I've last posted. Do you know why? Because it has been almost 2 weeks since I last rode Sulu around. My last post was March 1. Since then:
- I was in Saint Louis for the weekend for staff meetings
- I spent half a day back in CoMo
- I flew to Long Beach, California for more staff meetings
- I got back last night
So, here I am, 12 days later and still no closer to breaking even...
A review of the stats:
Grand Total: $153.09
Left to Save: $421.54
Here's hoping that I'll get back to it in the next few weeks.
Happy Biking!
~Adam
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