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The Fierce Dedication of a 55-Year-Old Cyclist Commuter
By Susan M. Osborn
“Among
people I have met, the few whom I would term ‘great’ all
share a kind of unquestioned, fierce dedication; an utter lack
of doubt about the value of their activities.”
— Stephen Jay Gould
During the month of May, Mike Finch, 55, rode his bicycle 2518 miles, an average
of 81 miles a day. His workday routine included a 60-mile, four-hour, round-trip
commute between his Dixon ranch and his job in Rancho Cordova.
Out of 7161 cyclists in the 2010 Million Mile May competition, Finch placed second.
He was first among entries from the California Environmental Protection Agency.
“I did the bike ride this year in memory of my wife,” says Finch. “She
passed away suddenly last year, so I dedicated my efforts to her. She’d
be proud, and I think she’d be happy.”
The Sacramento Transportation Management Authority began sponsoring the bicycle
promotion five years ago to encourage the use of alternative means of transportation.
The cyclists’ combined efforts in May kept over 5,000 pounds of smog-forming
nitrogen oxides out of the region’s air. In just one month, they saved
over 18,000 gallons of gas. At $3 a gallon, their combined savings amounted to
$54,000.
This was the third year that cyclists from the four-county Sacramento area topped
their target. Sacramento ranks fourth in the U.S. for bike commuters, behind
Portland, Minneapolis and Seattle.
Sacramento can boast that 1.8 percent of commute trips are made by bicycle. This
is the highest percentage in the nation, followed by 1.4 percent for the Phoenix
area.
One reason Finch was able to log so many miles is because he rides his bike wherever
he goes. He rarely drives his car.
“I normally bike all the time. I can’t remember the last time I drove
my car to work. In May, I didn’t start my car once,” says Finch.
Shopping on his bike can be tricky, too. “The most unusual thing I ever
transported was a 10-foot axle that weighed about 75 pounds. Strapped on with
bungee cords, it looked like a javelin extending from both the front and back
of my bike. The good news was the cars stayed out of my way,” he said with
a smile.
Finch has ridden in all kinds of weather. “Whenever it rains, I wear a
nylon poncho and nylon wrestling shoes because they dry quickly for the ride
back home,” he reports. “My bike and I get covered with road grit,
so I have to hose down myself and my bike when I arrive at my destination.”
Finch continues, “An interesting experience took place in January when
I was heading home. It was pitch dark, and the rain was coming down in buckets.
Most of the intersections were flooded. When the cars went through the water,
they would create a tidal wave. I kept moving farther and farther to the right
to avoid the water that was being thrown up. I couldn’t see through the
murky water. Suddenly, there was a ditch, and I went down, head first. I saw
the headlight from the front of my bike staring up at me from the abyss. It actually
felt warmer in the water than it did outside. I felt like saying, ‘I’m
just going to stay here in this ditch.’ That time I got thoroughly drenched.”
“When it’s hot I use cool collars,” added Finch. “You
soak them in water, and they swell up. I put one around my neck and one on top
of my head. They evaporate as I ride. It could be 110 degrees, but by the time
I get home I will be just dandy.”
About his equipment, Finch says, “I ride a mountain bike. It’s slower
but more reliable. I don’t run the risk of getting stranded somewhere.
I have solid rubber tires because I got tired of flats and breakdowns. I’m
ultra-defensive and wear reflective gear and a helmet.”
Finch’s enthusiasm for long-distance cycling is palpable. He says, “I
really enjoy it! Challenges are part of the lure. Between the weather and belligerent
motorists, there’s a lot to think about. I have to cope with all kinds
of situations. I’m anything but bored.”
Biking to work certainly has benefits. Finch doesn’t waste time stuck in
traffic. Parking is never a problem, and he saves money by not buying gas. Each
mile he rides, instead of driving, reduces carbon emissions by half a pound of
carbon dioxide.
From a long-term perspective, Finch’s fierce dedication is driven by a
desire to contribute to the health of the planet. As he puts it, “I believe
cycling is the right thing to do for preserving and saving the environment.”
On October 3, Finch will participate in the World’s Greatest Bicycle Parade.
The City of Davis will attempt to beat the Guinness world record of 3515 bikes
set by Bangkok, Thailand.
This page and its contents ©2010
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
