The Town of Vail, the Vail Recreation District and Friends across the Eagle Valley are excited to bring you the Sole Power Challenge – a free summer contest designed to help us all reduce our carbon footprint, get fit, and save the planet and dollars all at the same time!
Don't delay, sign up today!
Here's how it works:
Take 30 seconds to sign up and create your free account. Sign up as an individual or as part of a team.
With your account, you can log the miles for any daily commuting you do, whether it's for work, running errands, or just to socialize.
As you and other participants log your miles, we'll show you real-time stats: how many trips you've made, miles you've ridden, calories you've burned, gas money you've saved, and CO2 emissions you've eliminated.
Not only will you be able to see your own stats, but you'll be able to compare and compete with other riders and teams (if that's your thing.)
At the end of the summer, we'll announce the winners! Prizes will be awarded for the top teams and individual participants who achieve the most mileage, AND most trips. Over $1,000 worth of prizes (sporting retail, bike shops, restaurant gift cards, and more are added every day!) will be awarded for the top winners.
Already participating? Log in here
ECOTrails Trail Maps for Eagle County »
Don't forget to visit the Sole Power Blog and tell us how you're challenging yourself and your teams to go green! Watch for events, parties and latest updates from our sponsors!
Bicycle commuting creates instant return on the investment by using the simplest “biofuel” – human energy. For instance, consider the money saved by riding a bike to work. Factor in the car’s rate of gas mileage, the distance ridden, and the price of fuel. An American example: A car gets 25 miles per gallon; gas costs nearly $4 per gallon; the commute to work is 7 miles one way.
Roundtrip, that particular ride saves about $2.24 each time. A bike commuter averaging three to four rides a week just for the summer saves about $180. And consider it a free gym membership, besides. Commuting to Vail from Eagle, for example, a few times a week in the summer can save about $672!
Consider that a gallon of gasoline generates 19.4 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO2), which contributes to global climate change. Therefore, if we drive one car an average of 30 miles a day, 300 days each year, that’s 9,000 miles per year, 360 gallons of gasoline, $1440, and 6,984 lbs of CO2. Vehicle emissions also contribute to other smoggy pollutants, like particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide.
Sure it adds more time... but...Does the added level of exercise justify the time spent going to and from work? Does the time spent moving rather than sitting in traffic offset the longer commute time? Those are matters to be considered when choosing a route or, perhaps, a combination of walking, riding and driving, or riding and mass transit. Put all options on the table to make the decision that works best for you. Alternative commuting is a lifestyle! Where there is the will, a bike commuter can find the way, safely.
