Bike Ride

I rode 51 kilometers this morning (31.5 miles). It was a nice long ride, about two and a half hours. A friend of mine challenged me to reach 50 K during our Year End break. I wasn't quite able to do that, but I reached it about 10 days later. I am a little sore in the hands and in the triceps but my legs feel great. Another good aspect is that my average and maximum heartrate continues to fall, even as my distance and speed increase.



I have been relying on my bike for basic transportation for almost two weeks now. I can say that it is completely feasible to do so, even if not always convenient. I can't simply go anywhere I want, at anytime. I have to think ahead and plan to combine trips if I can. I have been averaging about ten to fifteen miles in around town riding per day. I also walk around my neighborhood more than I used to. I walk to the bank now, rather than riding my motorbike. So overall, it has been a good thing.

The Green Revolution

As I was setting goals for the new year I did not just think about myself. You know, the usual plans to lose weight, exercise more, take life less seriously, and spend more quality time with family. Those are all fine, but as I was pondering the next phase of my life I kept thinking of goals relating to social responsibility. How can I make this world a better place? What can I do to leave a better world for the next generation? Being a socially minded kind of guy, I have decided to give up my motorbike.

While I have had a pretty small carbon footprint for several years now, I decided it was time to take the next step and move toward a carbon neutral lifestyle. I don't use the air con, I always take a reusable bag to the grocery store, and I try to reduce, reuse, and recycle. But giving up my main means of transportation was a big step. Now remember, I am doing this for purely environmental reasons. I will be relying on foot and bicycle for most of my transportation needs, with public transport for longer trips. The fact that I will be saving a substantial amount of money had absolutely nothing to do with my decision! Please feel free to hold me up as a role model of responsible ecological stewardship to any young people you know. Let me repeat, shallow pecuniary issues did not influence me at all in this decision! Really!

Ringing in the New

Yesterday I blogged about last year, so what does the New Year hold for me? Well, I will still be in Chiang Mai, and still working at the same place. I am planning to visit the United States this year (a trip that was rudely postponed last year).

I haven't done New Year's Resolutions in probably fifteen years, and I am not about to start now. But I have made a series of goals for the new year, along with steps to try and reach them.

I also hope to travel to at least one country here in Southeast Asia, maybe Myanmar this time.

Best wishes to all, Happy New Year!