Jon: Zero to 100 in 6 Months

Duke Park

If circumstances had not catapulted Jon Strack out of his lifelong home of Massachusetts into North Carolina, Jon would not be riding a bicycle.  As a new Durhamite, away from friends and family, his first months were fairly isolated. As the weather began to improve, Jon bought a bicycle as a way to explore his new city.  What he did not realize was that his new bicycle would come to have a major influence on his social and civic life.

After his initial bicycle explorations of Durham, he began to consider riding to work.  He got some tips from a colleague who rode a bicycle to work and one day he took the plunge…then he repeated the bicycle commute one day the following week…then the next week.  Taking note of his new found interest in riding, Jon’s colleagues from Fidelity invited him to join them on a charity ride in New Bern.  Six month after first buying a bicycle, he was riding 100 miles.

Jon said that soon after he began cycling his social world in Durham opened up.  It was through a ride that he met Duke Park neighbor Brian Green, who connected Jon with other neighbors and the neighborhood association, for which he is now a board member.  He also met fellow neighbor and bicycle transportation trainer Katherine O’Brien at rides.

In a turn of luck, it was a bicycle that took Jon on a journey from exploring a new city as an outsider to becoming an involved and active citizen, very much a Durham insider.  Jon is still exploring new ways to get around by bicycle.  In fact, following this interview, Jon emailed, “I took the plunge yesterday and did the bike/bus combo to work!  700 from Durham Station to RTP headquarters on Davis Dr., then less than a mile bike ride to my building.  It’s such a neat option – look forward to utilizing it more.”

So for those who reckon their chance for bicycle days are too far in the past, talk to Jon: you may want to reconsider after he gives you the insider’s scoop.  To be connected with Jon, contact robin@cleanenergydurham.org.

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Durham Authors Release Book for Solar Buyers

Join fellow Durhamites Stephen and Rebekah Hren in celebrating the release of their new book A Solar Buyer’s Guide for the Home and Office: Navigating the Maze of Solar Options, Incentives, and Installers. They will be hosting a book sale and signing copies on Thursday, October 7th, from 6-8pm at the Common Ground Green Building Center a block away from their ‘green’ home.

WHERE:
Common Ground Green Building Center
326 W. Geer St.
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 688-1500

Two days left for a FREE $25 restaurant gift card and cool transit info!

If you live in one of these neighborhoods, you're eligible to receive a free $25 gift card to Restaurant.com & order free transit info.

ORDER BY July 1st if you live in the highlighted areas in the map above!

Order at http://www.gotriangle.org/getupgo-durham.

The first households to respond get a free $25 gift certificate to Restaurant.com, which you can use in lots of great local places. Contact Jessalee at jessalee@cleanenergydurham.org with questions.

Offer applicable if you live in: Trinity Park, Watts Hillandale, Northgate Park, Duke Park, Old West Durham, Lakewood Park, Tuscaloosa Lakewood, West End, Lyon Park, Morehead Hill, Burch Ave, Cleveland Holloway, or Old Five Points.

Neighborhood Bike to Work Week Breakfasts Tomorrow

This week is National Bike to Work Week, and it’s a great chance to give bike commuting a shot if you’ve never tried before, or to pat yourself on the back if you’re a regular pedal-powered commuter. We’ve got a lot of great events planned for the coming week; first up are three neighborhood breakfasts tomorrow (Monday May 17^th). Stop by on your way to work for free coffee and bagels with your neighbors! Rain or shine.

Duke Park: 7:00 – 8:30 a.m., 1424 Acadia Street

Trinity Park: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Trinity Park (corner of Watts and Trinity)

Watts Hospital-Hillandale: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Oval Park (near the tennis courts)