teddy

We must realize on the one hand, that we can do little if we do not set ourselves a high ideal, and, on the other, that we will fail in accomplishing even this little if we do not work through practical methods and with a readiness to face life as it is, and not as we think it ought to be.
-Theodore Roosevelt, Jan 2, 1899

long way to go

With just over 2 months before the 2014 edition of the Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour kicks off in Colorado Springs, I've got a lot of work ahead of me to be ready to tackle climbs like Monarch Pass, Cottonwood Pass, and Pikes Peak. I need to ride several times a week, even if they're short rides. I need to ride some longer rides and include hills in those rides.

To that end, the weather cooperated with us this morning and I got my longest ride of the year in, just over 58 miles. There were a few clouds, a lot of sunshine, a little wind. There were also some hills that proved that Kansas is not flat. I may have cried a little, so what?

As I suffered up one hill about 45 miles into the ride, maybe 6-7% grade, possibly 3/4 of a mile long, I thought to myself, just do that 10 times in a row and you can get over most Colorado passes. OK, Pikes Peak is not a "pass", and it's a little steeper in sections, and instead of 10 times I would need to do it about 25 times. But those are all details. I just rode 58 miles.

Over the next 9 weeks I need to do several 50 mile rides, a couple of 75-80 milers, and hopefully at least one century ride. To paraphrase a line from a movie: "If the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise", Colorado here I come.

p.s. My Mother pointed out that the line wasn't from a movie, but how Tennessee Ernie Ford ended his TV show. A little search shows the phrase was around long before that, and several country artists have recorded songs with that title. If this phrase doesn't motivate me in my training to ride up the mountains, maybe Mr Ford's signature song will; Sixteen Tons.

what's important to you?

Recently I read about a meeting of people concerned with the average diet in our country, and how it contributes to serious health problems, damage to our environment, and horrific suffering of animals. One of the participants was Mark Bittman, author of The VB6 Cookbook. His previous book, Vegan Before 6 described how he had gained weight and was facing the onset of diabetes, and following his doctor's advice adopted a diet which was vegan for the first 2 meals of the day, and allowed for some flexibility at dinner. He calls for everyone to be at least a part-time vegan.

When I started eating a plant-based diet it was purely for the health benefits. The more I learned about factory farming's impact on the planet, and the unimaginable suffering of millions of animals, the more my focus and determination changed. But I'm a strong believer in all the benefits from eating greener.

People who are advocates of the environment, or animal rights activists, are understandably passionate about conveying their message as fast and as far as possible. But sometimes that passion can blind them to the reality that only those willing to listen will hear their message. I follow lots of message boards, blogs, and posts that point out instances of animal suffering, pollution, and how activism is helping. But if you are someone who subscribes to those posts, they are preaching to the choir.

I've seen enough that I want to be a vegan for the rest of my life. I also know that some vegans come across as zealots, demanding change, and holding strongly their belief that this is an all or nothing proposition. I want to make a difference, but I don't think that's the way to do it. I think we need to see the difference it could make if everyone was open to an approach like VB6.

If you're someone who is concerned with your health, or just want to feel better, you could try being a part-time vegan. If you're concerned about the environmental damage from agribusiness, clearing rain forests for grazing, or the energy it takes to eat the way we do, you could try being a part-time vegan. And if you are an animal lover who can't stand the suffering of those reduced to units on factory farms, but still unable to go all the way, you could be a part-time vegan.

There are scores of resources available to help you learn about all the reasons to change. There are websites and cookbooks with recipes for delicious vegan meals. There are films like Forks Over Knives, Vegucated, and Food, Inc.

If you're willing to try, you can be part of the solution. Every step is important, every effort makes a difference. What's important to you?

finally

It's been a long, cold, lonely winter. At least long and cold. But it's starting to really feel like spring. Yesterday, after work, I was able to get in a 20+ mile ride with temps in the mid-70s, and winds that could actually be called breezes. The few warm days we've had lately have been accompanied with gale force winds that sap the fun out of a bike ride, or half of a bike ride. ;)

My training has been so sporadic, and I really need to get it in gear as I look forward to August and the Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour. As usual, there will be climbing. I'm looking forward to revisiting Monarch Pass, 11,345 feet, and Cottonwood Pass, 12,156 feet. But those won't be the literal high points of this tour.

On the final day of CRMBT 2014 we'll have the chance to ride up Pikes Peak! At 14,105 feet it's the 2nd highest paved road in America. The 2010 version of this tour featured a ride up the Mt Evans, which is a little higher, but not as well known to those outside of Colorado.

That was hard! From what I hear Pikes Peak is harder. Some tough grades on top of almost 7,000 feet of elevation gain will challenge all riders. The start of the climb is only 10 miles or so from where we'll stay the night before. So, when I get there I'll have 20 miles to go, and all morning to get there.

I wonder if the donuts at the Summit House are vegan?

humane

hu·mane

/hyuˈmeɪn or, often, yu-/ Show Spelled [hyoo-meyn or, often, yoo-]  

adjective

-characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for people and animals, especially for the suffering or distressed

Many think membership in the species "homo sapiens"  gives us the right to use other species any way we see fit. For entertainment, for testing beauty products, for food. While it may be a thought shared by the majority, I think many of us have not really thought about it at all. It's just the way it is. Does that make it right?

Of all the species that evolved over millions of years, humans have come to see themselves as special. Instead of seeing ourselves as stewards, of our planet and all its inhabitants, our selfish interests lead us to take what we want with no regard for consequences. I lived most of my life without thinking about most of this. Now it's hard not to think about it.

Factory farming has taken the animals out of the barnyard and put them in battery cages, gestation crates, and windowless prisons worse than you can possibly imagine, all for our palates. Agribusiness has ensured that we know as little of what takes place on the farm as possible. Is it because they don't trust us? No, I think they trust that if we saw the truth, we would do the right thing, we would change the way we eat.

We owe it to ourselves and all those with whom we share this earth to know where we get our food. To be fully aware, we should know about the life of a dairy cow, and her male calf. We should know the conditions in which a laying hen spends her life, and what happens to her male offspring. And beyond deplorable conditions is the simple truth that we deprive another of life, for a moment of pleasure. There is another way.

Here's a few suggestions to take the first step:
-Specieism
-Vegucated
-Food, Inc