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March 09, 2006
A ride in the smog
Yesterday I rode my bike from Downtown St. Paul to the wastewater treatment plant for a meeting. I decided to race a train that was leaving St. Paul on the tracks along shepard/warner road. I was really pushing hard and when I arrived at the plant, I was breathing hard and my heart was pounding and my legs were like jello. But I made it in 16 minutes! Of course I had to cool down then before my meeting, but it was ok. Then on the way back to my office I took it easy and enjoyed the view of the river.
When I checked my email I discovered I had an air quality alert for the day. Due to the low winds and the fog, more microscopic particles than normal were just hanging in the air. The alert said for people with heart problems or lung conditions should refrain from going outside and reduce their activities. They recommended for athletes to take it easy. Too late. Now my lungs contain a lot of some microscopic polution.
A ride in the smog, how nice. This is the world we have created for ourselves, how nice. One of our first steps in fixing a problem is to stop creating it. If a boat is leaking it does no good to plug holes in the hull if we are drilling more as we go! How many holes can we drill before we realize we cannot possibly plug them all, ever?
Posted by carl1236 at March 9, 2006 10:32 PM | Attitude
Comments
When I was a London bike messenger in the early '80s, I recall taking part in an air quality survey. The findings showed that of pedestrians, motor vehicle drivers/passengers and cyclists, cyclists (or us couriers at least) were the *least* affected by particulates and air-borne stuff. That said, I can't recall the science behind the answer though I believe that faster/deeper respiration was part of it. However, perhaps these 20 year old tests have been overtaken by now!
Cheers
Buzz - a Limey/Pom living in New Zealand, where the air is fresher than London but the melanoma-causing hole in the ozone is dangerously large.
Posted by: bignoseduglyguy at March 11, 2006 02:01 AM
Thanks for your comments! Speakking of holes to plug... That Ozone hole being dangerously large doesn't sound too healthy for us either.
By the way, I found that notification about immigration status very funny! What are they really saying there?!!! Something like, "Hey, good luck asking to stay. We'll think about you asking to stay, which has nothing to do with whether you will stay or not." haha. Strange language usage.
Seriously though, I hope it works out for you. New Zealand is so beautiful!
John
Posted by: John at March 11, 2006 08:25 PM