|
Biking for a Better World (part 3): Q&A with team member Jake Spero |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Morgan Kriz
|
|
Monday, 12 May 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Four North Tahoe residents Jake Spero, Duncan Sisson, John Witherspoon “Spoon” and Sam Skrocke rode more than 15,000 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina in nine months last year.
While a trip like this is a monumental undertaking for any strong-willed individual, they also raised $18,000 to fund the building of a school in La Bonansa, Nicaragua — to “Bike for a Better World.”
 Team member of Biking for a Better World Jake Spero took the time to answer some questions about bike riding in celebration of Bike to Work Week around the Tahoe area. Spero has completed multiple bike tours including the Alaska to Argentina in 2007 and Tahoe to Texas in 2003. Read some tips from Spero on bike commuting and the benefits biking can give an individual and help reduce carbon footprints.
What efforts (if any) have you taken to reduce your efforts in using motorized transportation?
Now that I have returned, I have been driving only small distances to work in New York. I do not own a car and plan to use my bicycle as much as possible this summer to save money on the ridiculously over-priced gasoline (a sort of rebellion against the evil petroleum corporations) and to do my part to protect the atmosphere. I encourage anyone to try and work close to home and pedal whenever possible. Biking a small distance many times a week will keep anyone in great shape.
How do you compare the biking access in Tahoe to other places you have been?
The biking access in Tahoe is pretty good. The bike paths between Squaw and Tahoe City, down the west shore, and to Dollar Hill are great. But bikers should always remember to be very aware on the paths and to control their speed.
Duncan, last year before leaving for our trip, hit a dog on one of the paths at a high speed. Both he and the dog were very lucky to come out of it uninjured. His bike was totaled. The frame was seriously mangled. To any riders who are in a rush or who are out for a serious high-speed ride, I recommend riding on the road. Ignore the people who may yell that you should be on the bike path. They don’t understand the dangers.
What do you recommend to someone who is interested in trying to become a bicycle commuter?
Putting a rear rack on a bike is very helpful for carrying things. And anyone who is commuting to work should have a bike that functions well and should have knowledge, tools and parts to fix a flat tire or other minor technical issues.
A bicycle commuter should be aware of the time it normally takes for them to do the ride and always allow and extra few minutes just in case. Sometimes it helps to leave changes of clothes at work so you don't have to ride in the clothes you work in. Always dress for the weather. And always wear a helmet. A head could hit the ground at anytime, even on a leisurely ride. Helmets have saved my life. Please, strap the brain bucket on.
What advice can you tell people about being out on the road. What do cyclists need to be aware of?
My number one rule: Never listen to music while riding. You should always be listening to the sounds around you and be overly aware of what’s going on. Some people like to use a rearview mirror (helmet or handlebars) to keep track of what's going on behind them.
Sometimes it is difficult to turn your head around without losing control or swerving into the road a little, but if you are a careful listener you can usually get an idea of what's coming up behind you. And you can also hear your bike. It's important to listen for the sounds that signal mechanical issues. Next, we should all be responsible riders when on the road. We have to do our part just like the drivers do to make everything run smooth and accident-free.
Be aware of your position. Ask yourself, “Am I riding as far to the right as I possibly can right now?” You should never be drifting out into the lanes of traffic unless you are on a quiet road and are paying close attention to what's coming behind you. And always wear that helmet.
All of the traveling on your trip was by bike (except for the boat ride). Did you notice any personal health benefits right away?
Alaska hurt. The first week, when we did 525 miles in seven days on the Dalton Highway to Fairbanks, our muscles were very sore. Our bodies had to get used to it, and they did. On our trip, pedaling about 500 miles per week, our bodies were accustomed to riding many hours a day, almost all week long. We became very, very strong over time, and by the end could ride up to 140 mile days and still be able to wake up and ride another big one. We were in great shape, but the kind of shape that allowed only for this sort of activity ... endurance, not something that most people would need to be in shape for.
We were also very hard on our bodies riding those sorts of numbers. We were almost always sore somewhere. I would argue that biking just a couple of hours a day, three or four times a week, is enough to keep someone in great biking shape. Then put the biking with a few hours of running, swimming, basketball, soccer, skiing, weightlifting, sit-ups, pushups, etc., or any other athletic activity you enjoy, and you will find yourself in great, well-rounded shape. I feel the best way to be in great shape is to be prepared to perform in a wide array of activities all the time.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
|
