cars NEED to be coffins

I drive to work more than i'd like to these days...whether it's to boulder to get on the bus, to Ned to get on the bus, or the entire way to denver. If i drive the whole way it's an 80 mile round trip...yes, you read that right...and takes one hour each way. To boulder it's a 34 mile roung trip and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. To Ned, it's a 14 mile round trip and takes 2 hours each way. Those are some crazy ass numbers. I've been riding maybe 3 days a week to Boulder and hopping on the bus...but those other two days can be hell. At least I skate Slick City...that's my rationalization at least. Today I drove to do field work at Cherry Creek State Park and walked with a GPS around prairie dog colonies ALL day, and it was sweet. Cherry Creek is the most isolated piece of nature that i've ever seen (I've never been to NYC's Central Park though). Amazingly, there are many species of wildlife that inhabit that place: white-tailed and mule deer, golden and bald eagle, prairie dogs, burrowing owl, red tailed hawks, kestrels, canadian geese, great blue heron, coooper's hawk, sharpshinned hawk, coyote, fox, possibly a bobcat, and of course the more common species like magpies, racoons, crows, and humans. LOTS of humans in fact. All in all though, it was a good day at work...better than sitting behind the desk like I usually do...all except for the 100 mile round trip in the car.

In my car i have lots of time to think. I like to think about how car manufacturers should make cars LESS safe and MORE tippy instead of the opposite so that people drive slower. Headlights should not be so bright (they've gotten brighter each decade) so that you drive slower at night too and hopefully hit fewer animals. Knowing humans though, making cars less safe and headlights dimmer would backfire as people would probably drive just as fast and tip over more and also hit more deer, rabbits, moose, dogs, cats, coyotes, foxes, etc.

The entire problem lies in this fast food society. I haven't read that book, but i'm sure the author would agree that this country is in too damned much of a hurry! We NEED our food NOW, we NEED to drive as fast as possibly to get home NOW so we can sit on our asses in front of the TV screen and not think. We NEED to live and do things as fast as possible, because it's more productive and it makes us more money. Ah, yes, money.

In the words of the immortal Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks: LIVE FAST DIE YOUNG! I know he meant it another way, but it just is so fitting! You see....living fast, eating fast, working fast, and driving fast are all large inducers of stress which has been shown to decrease life span and quality. Why not ENJOY the road drive into work...there's lots to see, listen to on the radio, or just kick back in silence. Or, better yet, get up a little earlier and take the bus into work! Start reading a book or magazine on the bus. I've finished three books in two months (a record for me!) from just reading on the bus. Bussing it is the largest stress reducer I can think of for commuters. Best yet, ride to work. That's a bit tough for me, so I combine it with the bus, but cycling is by far the funnest and most healthy way to work.

Denver has had a "red air quality day" each day this week...and does so most every winter day until the Chinook winds come and blow that shite away. I can feel the difference in air from my house at 8,200 ft. to the city streets 4,000ft below. While in Denver I sneeze more, I cough more, I have stuffed up sinus' more, I get short of breath more when exercising....all because of the shitty air. I wish I could live in the city, reduce my driving to zero, but I just can't. I hate cities (except for their skateparks!). IF I could live in them, i would not have to drive, but i'd die early from the air and water quality if not getting doored or cut off while riding my bike first. Choices.

I used to ride my bike fast...race, and hurry through singletrack. Now all i can do is stop all along the trail to enjoy the views or look down for tracks in the dirt or snow, or just listen to silence. You see much more going slowly...in every facet of life.

So everyone please buy crappier cars or trucks (but with good mpgs!) and enjoy the ride.