Resources and Reflections

Well, it’s raining hard in Redwood Valley, and looks to keep it up for some time. We’ve had a few brief spells of wet this fall, but the current “atmospheric wave” coming off the central Pacific is set to bring the first sustained relief from record low stream flows in a couple years. So, taking my cue from el Niño, I’ll exercise the better part of valor and stay off the road till, literally, the dust is fully settled. Thus provided with the opportunity for reflection, an idea that has been gestating in the depths for some time has popped to the surface of the unquiet pool that is one’s mind.

Cycling provides ample opportunity (and oxygen) for the mind to roam. Over the miles, the autonomic nervous system’s autopilot function kicks in, tending to the mundane business of locomotion, and consciousness is free to surf the waves of endorphins and elevated blood flows to parts far and wide. Unfortunately, physics has an irritating habit of bursting the thought balloon. Nothing like a flat tire to reaffirm the supremacy of friction over intention, and roadside repair, repair in general, begs the question for the dedicated cyclist “Wouldn’t it be great if I could figure out a way to make this pay for itself?”.

On a physical and philosophical level, the personal payback far outweighs the cost, however unlikely this may seem. On the financial level though, the more you ride, the more you wear stuff out, the more your habit costs in ducats, dinar or dollars. But, setup back from the strictly personal and look at cycling, running or walking as practical means of daily transportation. Expand the cost/benefit analysis from the individual to the context of society at large. According to the World Wildlife Organization

“Bicycling instead of driving will eliminate 20 pounds of personal carbon emissions for every gallon of gasoline an individual avoids using.”

How this exact figure was arrived at is not clear, but taking it at face value then, an individual cyclist’s annual carbon offset value in dollars per year could be calculated. According to the US DOT,

“The average combined MPG for all US cars and light trucks on the road today is 19.8 MPG”.

My GPS says I currently ride about 3K mi/yr, so, if I were driving a fleet average vehicle, I’d be burning about 3k mi/yr/19.8MPG = 151 gal/yr * 20lb/gal = 3030 lb of carbon/ yr. An interesting study published by EcoBusinessLinks shows a very wide range of prices offered by an ever growing array of brokers. For example, one of the best prices currently available in the US (from the offset provider’s standpoint is 29/metric ton.

Carbon Offset Provider	Price (US$/Metric ton CO2)	Non-profit	Projects Types	Project Choice	Offset Types	Product Certification/ Verification* (Links see below table)
Bonneville Environmental Foundation USA	$29.00	Yes	Renewables	No	Home, Air, Business, Event	Green-e Climate Certified

Being an optimist then, my 3030 lbs (1.374 am tons) would be valued at $38.85/yr, or 1.3 cents/mile, enough to buy 1 good tire. There are any number of ways to quibble with the derivation above, but it’s the first time I’ve seen this figure calculated, so it a least provides a point of departure for discussion. I’ve been riding for almost 40 years with no subsidy, and will continue without one. But the object of this exercise is, as noted above, to look at cycling in a larger frame. There are considerations beyond just carbon offset value. In that 40 years of riding, I’ve been to the hospital twice (both times as the result of a cycling accident). I’ve never needed to visit a doctor for anything but routine checkups, my vital signs are consistent with a very healthy 30 year old and, at 55, I take no medications and can anticipate needing none for the foreseeable future, as long as I continue riding.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Reminds Drivers and Bicyclists to Share the Road During Bicycle Safety Month

As more people take to the roads on their bikes, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asks both drivers and cyclists to help reduce the number of cyclist fatalities. In 2007, 698 cyclists were killed in America. Everyone needs to pay attention when using America’s roads, whether they’re walking, biking or driving, LaHood said.

More and more Americans are taking up cycling, including a dramatic increase in bicycling by baby boomers. Whether they’re riding for fun, exercise, or to save on gas, more baby boomers are riding bicycles, according to the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics. Unfortunately, this aging trend can also be found in NHTSA’s latest fatality statistics. For the tenth straight year, the average age of persons killed on bicycles has increased. Research shows that in 1997 the average age of a person killed in a bicycle crash was 31; in 2007 it increased to over 40.”

So, perhaps I can reasonably expect to end my cycling career in an abrupt fashion, thus saving the VA and Medicare significant expense. I am my own “Death Panel”, much to the relief of any number of folks, no doubt. It could then be argued that the (hopefully) immanent health care reform legislation should reasonably take the health care cost savings represented by an active lifestyle into account when allotting subsidies and calculating rates. A comprehensive program to evaluate the societal costs and benefits of lifestyle choices in general and recurrent vigorous physical activity specifically could go some way toward encouraging these behaviors, reducing medical costs and transportation infrastructure, ultimately benefiting the individual, society at large and the global environment as a whole.

Last night on the call-in show on our local public radio station, an irate caller asked “why should I be forced to pay increased insurance rates to cover people who smoke and engage in extreme sports?”. A good question I think, as long as the lifestyle can of worms is fully opened up. If I were of the same mind set, I could just as easily ask ‘why should I be forced to subsidize the health costs of people who never walk further than from the La-Z-Boy to the refrigerator, whose most highly developed muscle is their remote control/gameboy finger and whose diet consists largely of highly processed food-like substances?”. I’m totally willing to go there but let’s do it not on the basis of quantifiable outcomes like blood pressure, resting heart rate, actual medical expenditures (including psychiatric), stress indices and the like.

Just saying.

Popularity: 21% [?]

“Whether you are logging big trail miles or beating gas pump prices, the X-Alp Mid is your go to shoe. Built for the long haul, the R&R plate allows you to drop the hammer on the pedals but has enough flexibility and traction for when you have to get off and push up the big hills. Quick drying, highly breathable mesh/synthetic upper. Endo-skeletal fit system securely wraps feet.”

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Popularity: 9% [?]

If you like to just wander around and stick mostly to the flat ground, here’s a thirty mile route around Ukiah and environs. Starting in Redwood Vally, its a quick spin own to Ukiah, a nice ten mile warm-up on the wide clean shoulders on Hwy. 101, and its legal too. Of course extra caution is required at exits and entries.
Then there’s a little tour of Old Town Ukiah and a loop out Talmadge road into the vineyards. Out here near Vichy Springs Road, you’ll find El Dorado and other Porsche-riddled enclaves up on the foothills above the valley.
Then its a quick loop back into town and back north to close the circle.

Ukiah valley tour

Popularity: unranked [?]

2 Hours That Could Improve Willits For The Next 20 Years

Source; [mendocommunity-BB] Walking & Bicycling City Plan Workshop-May 28

When: Thursday, May 28, 2009, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Where: Willits City Council Chambers
111 East Commercial St, Willits, California

Dear Friends,
I believe that it is time we invested more in pedestrian and bicycle
friendly infrastructure in Willits. This is the direction we must go in the
future for a number of important reasons including the following:

1. Walking and bicycling can help improve our health and reverse the
epidemic of obesity and diabetes we face.
2. Walking and bicycling is less expensive than driving and is better for
the environment.
3. Walking and bicycling is good for creating community and helps support
our local living economy.

Those who want to support these efforts should plan to attend the
Bicycle & Pedestrian Specific Plan Workshop where citizen input is being
requested by Alan Falleri, Community Development Director.

The City is considering two specific pavement and sidewalk
rehabilitation plans on West Commercial and Central Streets. Let’s be sure
these plans offer what is best for our town. These 2 hours could make a
huge difference in Willits for years to come.

Let our voices be heard. See you on the 28th.
Jed Diamond, Co-Founder Willits Healthy Action Team
For more information:

Alan Falleri (459-7124;
arf@willitscity. com
Jed Diamond (459-5505;
Jed@MenAlive. com)
Tom Woodhouse (459-4677;
tmgwoodhouse@ hotmail.com

Bicycle & Pedestrian Specific Plan Workshop

The City of Willits will hold a workshop on Thursday, May 28, 2009 from 4:00
to 6:00 p.m. at the Willits City Council Chambers, 111 East Commercial
Street, Willits, California, to gather public comments on issues related to
the bicycle and pedestrian needs within the City. The comments will be used
in completing the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Specific Plan.

The City started work with local citizens several years ago to identify and
analyze issues regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements needed
in our community and to set goals, objectives, policies and implementation
strategies to address those issues. The City of Willits has contracted with
consulting firm, PMC, to complete this Specific Plan which, once adopted by
the City Council, will become an element of the City’s General Plan.

It is very important that we hear from local citizens, who know best what
the conditions and needs in the community are relative to bicycle and
pedestrian issues so that the information, perspectives and insights of the
citizens can become a vital part of the fabric of the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Specific Plan.

Staff from PMC and the City Community Development Department will be
conducting the workshop, responding to any questions and making a record of
those comments offered by the public. If you can not attend the workshop,
you may submit written comments up to May 29th to Alan Falleri, Community
Development Director, 111 East Commercial Street, Willits, CA 95490. Any
questions about the workshop can also be directed to Alan Falleri at
459-7124.

Jed Diamond, Ph.D., LCSW, author
Male Menopause & The Irritable Male Syndrome
www.MenAlive. com
www.TheIrritableMal e.com

Emerald Empire Adventures supports tis effort and invites the public to use this thread to discuss and organize around this issue.

Map of Willits City Council Chambers, 111 East Commercial St, Willits, California

Popularity: unranked [?]

This is not a ride for those made nervous by narrow shoulders, variable road conditions, windy headlands or 35 miles of uphill slogging from Ft. Bragg back to Willits via Sherwood Rd. On the other hand, for those of sterner constitution, this ride will thrill chill and make you feel alive. I first rode this route on Memorial Day weekend in ‘08 and have riddn various sections of it in different combinations many times since. The Ft. Bragg to Willits Section, via Sherwood Rd. is a really exceptional backwoods experience and a challenge for any rider.

Popularity: 13% [?]