tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189289378926567244.post8980255428689439490..comments2023-10-10T09:25:23.630-04:00Comments on Velophoria: We Are the 99% of the Talent PoolHarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02731815508918636273noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189289378926567244.post-64275279679259103852014-06-20T20:41:54.934-04:002014-06-20T20:41:54.934-04:00For the sake of etiquette I should add that I real...For the sake of etiquette I should add that I realize you weren't referring to bike commuting in your original post. The answer about celebrating the average (non commuting) rider? I don't know, I'd rather have the non-extreme rider experience to remain a subculture. I get plenty of encouragement from fellow riders without being recognized on a larger scale. Can you just imagine the Pantene ads that would result from this becoming a celebrated trend? Emmyhttp://inthebarberry.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189289378926567244.post-53249168001344739802014-06-20T19:31:54.634-04:002014-06-20T19:31:54.634-04:00Could we find a way to make bike commuting "b...<i> Could we find a way to make bike commuting "beautiful," cool, something to get excited about in the media, the culture -- in addition to making it logistically easier? </i><br /><br />I totally agree, the media could do great things with this idea. As an invention, the bicycle is second in beauty only to its cousin, the wheel.<br /><br />But would it change anything? I doubt it. You'd be better off using embarrassment and peer pressure. Have you seen the study from the researcher who gave little happy or sad faces to neighborhood residents based on their energy usage? That study convinced me.<br /><br />For example; I tried to get my boyfriend to remember our reusable bags when he went to River Valley or Atkins. Years of this fell on deaf ears; until one day shopping he realized he was the ONLY person in the store who had to be given disposable bags. He was mortified. He claims he was surrounded by dirty looks and to this day he begs me to help him remember those cloth bags in the car at all times.<br /><br />Compare that to when I bring in my travel mug. Everyone has their cute little change purses ready to pay, I have this unwieldy mug. Hi.....can you put my coffee in....this? Just fill it to here, you can charge me for a large, or a small? I guess. The baristas look at me like I just handed them an alien and people in line look like I'm taking too long. That does not encourage me to keep bringing it in. There is a learning curve to all this, and the businesses are not keeping up. It would be nice if they retrained their staff on how to deal with these new ideas and products so many of us are trying to use every day.<br /><br />(On a lighter note, it is amusing to watch how everyone deals with our new world of eco-friendly products. I'm actually making a series of indie films about a similar topic).<br /><br />If the average worker walked in and found he was the ONLY guy who was bringing his ugly, gas guzzling car into work and everyone else came in on their bike, you'd better believe that guy is going to gradually change. Add to that a bike path extension near his home and you have a winning combination.<br /><br />I have some funny links to this effect but I forget how wonky eblogger is about html. Maybe I can get you the name of that study.Emmyhttp://inthebarberry.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189289378926567244.post-78568601075661316382014-06-18T09:46:35.944-04:002014-06-18T09:46:35.944-04:00Emmy, have to agree with all your points about mak...Emmy, have to agree with all your points about making commuting easier. Would be a wonderful boon to cycling culture. Could we find a way to make bike commuting "beautiful," cool, something to get excited about in the media, the culture -- in addition to making it logistically easier?Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02731815508918636273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189289378926567244.post-70112973220150205252014-06-17T21:36:06.846-04:002014-06-17T21:36:06.846-04:00Well in some sense we're doing it already - ma...Well in some sense we're doing it already - making riding to work seem like the norm. In our conservation grad work we learned that what we see our in-group do may be the biggest influence.<br /><br />Other than that, I'd say make the roads safer. One of the reasons I no longer ride my bike to work (although I gave up my car, use the bus now) is that Rte 5 has decided to call their breakdown lane the "bike lane". Yeah that'll work, when everyone's trying to pass the left-turning car by swerving into the "bike lane" - while texting.<br /><br />If it were more convenient, if we gave people the tools, more people would ride their bike. Would help if people could shower at work too. Who wants to arrive at work smelling like they just wrestled in 90 degree weather? ;)<br /><br />Well I so appreciate you bringing up this topic. But whatever you do, don't try this:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x76VEPXYaI0<br />Emmyhttp://inthebarberry.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189289378926567244.post-56321279926620021922014-06-09T13:59:08.752-04:002014-06-09T13:59:08.752-04:00Jenny, I very much appreciate your appreciation. I...Jenny, I very much appreciate your appreciation. I often feel like the more philosophical posts on here go ignored in favor of the latest product review. I'll definitely check out those podcasts and your blog. Tons of good on you and your fam for making it happen in the fashion that works for you -- it's inspiring!Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02731815508918636273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189289378926567244.post-47130743012833197902014-06-09T13:17:27.352-04:002014-06-09T13:17:27.352-04:00I'm loving what I have seen on your blog. Fou...I'm loving what I have seen on your blog. Found your spot from semi-rad. My husband, two daughters (ages 6 and 9) and I are leaving in 5 days to go on a 7 week bike tour. We backpack, hike, cycle....we dont climb, bike race, or do any extreme sports, and it sometimes feels like what we do is so mediocre compared to what others out there are doing. However, we are a family that loves being together, outside and we truly enjoy each other. <br /><br />Do you listen to the Brave Monkeys Speak podcast? I think you would like it. Lots of how to live the life we "HAVE" to live while still doing the things we enjoy. "Become a Man" podcast is another good one. <br /><br />Life is too short to not get out there doing what we like!<br /><br />If you want to follow us on our bike trip my blog is www.raisingcatandbug.blogspot.com<br /><br />Have a great summer!!<br />Jenny Mamatwogirlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404404275279902425noreply@blogger.com