Introduction post

I'd like to start out by saying that reading a few other cycling blogs gave me this idea, so indeed imitation is the highest form of flattery, take it for what it's worth. I enjoy reading these other tales from day to day, so I thought I'd come here and share a bit as well, if someone enjoys it then that's great. I am doing this because I like what I've done, and I would love it if others were able to reap the same benefits I have from doing something that is as much fun as this is.

But first, a little history, I was a FFG (Former Fat Guy) and am a LFG (Less Fat Guy) now. I weighed in at 299 a little over two years ago, and currently tip the scales at a still beefy 224~229 depending on the day and my current level of hydration. I feel about 1000 times better than I did at 299, and that's the main reason I'm here sharing. It turns out that diet and exorcise are truly the effective methods to losing weight, I know I'd heard that somewhere before, but turns out it's true. My resting heart rate was an abysmal 95~110, and currently likes to hang out between 40 and 50. I've logged over 5000 miles to date on my bike, and commute to and from work approx 8 miles one way every day I can (Ok ok, so I slack sometimes, but no-one is perfect). I have a wonderful family that has supported me every step of the way, often picking me up on those rare monsoon rainstorm days when you come to work in the sun and leave by the Arc. I am 35 years old, and feel better than I did at 21.

Bicycling has been a path for me, it has helped me become more aware of my surroundings, of the everyday pleasures we all miss due to the crazy hustle and bustle we all find ourselves part of, and it's a great way to use your own energy to get yourself from one place to another, without doing a bit of harm to the environment. I have no doubt that I'll be doing this as long as I'm able, and my hope is that someone will stumble upon this little space and take some inspiration from it to hop on and have some fun as well, if it's biking, great, but whatever it is, get out there and do it.

So, enough of the mushy who I am stuff, now on to my opinionated self, and to the meat of this blog. I have to admit I've never been much of a blogger, and I am new to this scene, but I feel that my personality lends itself to this forum, and as such I'm going to try my hand, the fact that you are still reading this is to say the least, encouraging, and perhaps a bit shocking, but I digress.

I am going to start with my BIGGEST pet peeve, and that's people in cars that blow their horns AFTER they have passed you. What possible purpose can this serve? I know the effect it has on me, not being a small man, and with my previous fitness training being in power lifting, it makes me hope I can catch them at the next stop light and ask them what the F*(k they were trying to accomplish, other than scare the living crap out of me. I fail to see what effect they are looking for with the horn blow AFTER the pass. Would you like me perhaps to turn back time, and move out of your way (even though by far and large, I have been to the right of the white line when this has occurred), or perhaps you just want to annoy me? Rest assured, your mission is accomplished, as you drive your gas guzziling hunk of future scrap metal past me, expelling vile fumes from your putrid exhaust as you pass.

I reside in Pennsylvania and have researched the bicycle laws here, it is quite obvious to me that not a singe cage driver has done so, and this is much of their misunderstanding. They assume that since they are driving and you are pedaling that they always have the right to have their path unobstructed, as obviously you don't have anywhere to go, or anything to do. You are simply biking after all, and as such an inconvenience to those in the ever more important cars. It never crosses their minds that perhaps you are heading to work too, and have just chosen to get there by your own means. Which leads me to my next, bigger point, when did we all get in such a big hurry?

Have you ever sat down and figured out the actual amount of time speeding to your destination is going to save you? 2 min? 3? Maybe 5? Exactly what do you have planned for that time? When you get to your destination, will the extra 10 seconds it took you as a result of having to use a bit of caution as you passed me cost you anything? Everyone has themselves convinced they are in a huge hurry, and no-one seems to know why. So next time, ask yourself, as you pass that biker on the road, how much time am I saving by driving in my car, stuffing this fast food in my piehole, and bitching about nothing that matters on my cell phone, while he adds years to his life on his silly little bicycle, feeling better than he has in 20 years, and taking his time getting where he is going. How many seconds am I saving now, and at what cost in health and years down the road?

So blow your horn, if you must, use you time as you choose, and so long as I am fortunate enough to avoid getting run down by one of your hunks of metal, I'll be enjoying every min of my commute years after you've had your open heart surgery, I'll still be here, pedaling and I'm sure there will be more of you to beep.

F2PH