Commuting - Accrued benefits

Every time I drive from point "A" to point "B," my modern brain registers in the background of my thoughts that I am putting miles on my car: tires, engine, belts, battery, brakes, transmission, clutch, filters, gasoline, oil, etc. Add depreciation, taxes and insurance, which accrue whether I drive or not. My car is a real help to me, but it nags me. It screams for attention whenever it needs repair, like a small self-centered child, and doesn't care whether my other bills get paid on time or not. "Fix me, fix me, fix me!" I obey, almost without complaining, because I have been this route enough in my life to know it won't do any good. The best thing is to pay up and forget it.

Or maybe not. Maybe the best thing is to avoid these "necessary repairs" as much as possible. Is it even possible?

Now, the main point of all this is, every time I cycle from point "A" to point "B," my modern brain is having a really far-out experience. None of these things is anywhere near the sacred ground of my thoughts. I should feel guilty for feeling so good, looking around to see if the "fun police" are going to pull me over for blatent irresponsibility. Anyone having such fun while supposedly "commuting" cannot possibly be working hard enough to stimulate this great economy of ours. I should be ashamed of myself for putting whole communities of people out of their jobs by not spending money on automotive products. Somehow, I'm not ashamed.

Then, upon arriving at my destination, point "B," it all comes together. I have strengthened my body, my heart, lungs, cycling legs and who knows what else in the process. My bicycle has done this for me. What a marvelous servant, my bike! Accrued benefits once again. Once again, I should feel guilty for putting noble professionals out of business: cardiologists, medical equipment and pharmaceutical companies, weight-loss professionals, maybe even Chuck Norris. What do I have to say for myself?

Hm. What is that you do for a living, again?

;)

Great thoughts, Pete!

It's money in the bank, you'll collect interest on it for a long time!

Funny deal, Pete...two of the young men who run my company (brothers, the owners sons) have talked to me about riding my bike to work. Even though these conversations took place at different times and in the presence of only one brother at a time, they both asked me the very same question first.."How long did it take you?" I was just sitting here thinking about your posting when this struck me. Not how fast did you go, or how many calories have you burned, or is it hard to do, but how much time did it take.
Perhaps some think of going from point A to B via a bike as a waste of time when compared to the time it takes to traverse the same distance with a car. But, we humble minions of the bicycle, see it as a valuable investment of time and energy to our own physical and mental well being! (Besides being a fun thing to do!)
I imagine many who think of bike riding as a waste of time also join a gym, and then don't get near the benefit for their investment of time and money that we do!
I am sure that the members of the noble professions you mentioned will get by just fine. There needs to be more bikes on the road before they will feel any impact!

Originally posted by nebill
...two of the young men who run my company (brothers, the owners sons) have talked to me about riding my bike to work.
Nebill,

How can I say it?

As mavericks, we attract lots of attention. If it's negative, positive, whatever, we're very much noticed (though I doubt we really want that.) When "Mr. Big Shot" (no disrespect intended, they exist in all organizations) notices us enough to comment to us (directly to the face), in your case--in duplicate--something's going on.

My opinion is that cycling is so beneficial that any attention whatsoever is positive. WAY TO GO, DUDE.

:thumbup: