Metal is losing to the pedal.
For the third consecutive year of Clean Commute Week, cyclists beat a car and a police motorcycle in a timed scavenger hunt competition across town called Pedal vs Metal.
In 90-degree heat, David Blake, a biology professor at Fort Lewis College who commutes to work by mountain bike, had the winning time of 19 minutes, 12 seconds, followed a second later by John Robinette of Durango Mountain Bike Tours.
Mayor Dick White, the only car driver in his Prius, finished seventh with a time of 23 minutes, 18 seconds.
Amber Blake, the city’s multi-modal administrator and wife of the winner, organizes the competition to prove bikes are as convenient as cars for in-town errands.
As an example, White said he got stuck by traffic lights on Main Avenue en route to the Durango Community Recreation Center. Cyclists had no such impediment on the Animas River Trail.
There were seven stops: at Durango Cyclery, Open Shutter Gallery, Durango Joe’s Coffee on College Drive, the Durango Police Department, Spaaah Shop, Maria’s Bookshop and the rec center.
At each stop, participants had to pick up stickers, coffee mugs, water bottles and pens.
“I will be embarrassed if I didn’t bring my reusable bag,” said Mayor White, who did have cloth bags in his Prius.
Clean Commute week ended Thursday night with beers and brats, City Manager Ron LeBlanc in a pink tutu and live jazz at Ska Brewing Co.
Among the procession of cyclists to the party, David Blake pulled daughter Alexa in a child cart behind his bicycle.
“She thinks it’s her birthday party,” said David Blake because her third birthday is Saturday.
The party celebrated the example of the winners of the week:
Commuters of the Year
Jeff DeCelles of Stone Age Engineering, who commutes eight miles from his Needham neighborhood to the Animas Air Park.
Mark Rosenberg and LeeAnn Vallejos and son, Aiden, “who walk the talk” of low-carbon footprint lifestyle.
Greg Jadrych, who has never owned a car.
Business Commute Challenge
DoubleTree by Hilton (large employer).
Stone Age Engineering and Water Blasters (medium employer).
Russell Engineering (small employer).
Women’s Resource Center (tiny category).
Pedometer Challenge
Donn Wince, 95,873 steps, or almost 50 miles.
Lynn Armato, with 66,064 steps.
Karen Skelly, with 63,422 steps.
Coca-Cola, with 72 participants walking more than 2 million steps
jhaug@durangoherald.com
