Making the road trip down to California Ironman 70.3 down in Oceanside California. We started our trip from the Green Athlete headquarters in Danville, California. We are driving down in the Green Machine - my new Ford E350 conversion. It is a stock van that has been converted to 4x4 and with all the amenities of home. Sleeps 4, has a kitchen, fridge, microwave, great stereo, and it is all run on solar and BioDiesel. It makes a road trip very comfortable. I am actually writing this blog from the back bed as we pass Buttonwillow on the I-5. The solar is set up by Sungevity, who you will see soon at www.sungevity.com. They specialize in setting up your home with solar power which is very easy and very affordable. We have my Trek bikes on the racks and plan on riding most places when we set up camp. 1 World 2 Wheels is a program set up by Trek to build awareness of how easy it is and how good it is for the environment to just ride your bike to run short errands and to get around. We will be stopping by the K-Swiss headquarters on our way down to see the facility and say hi to the gang. They are excited to see the new Green Athlete van and to be a part of our shoe recycling drive for Soles 4 Souls program, where we collect used shoes to donate to the needy and to recycle to build tracks and playground flooring. Come by and see us at the expo at the race this weekend and check out the van. Look forward to seeing you there.
Man, I am so happy to find this blog! Finally a green program for athletes. I was so disgusted when I went to my last couple of Ironman races. Why? All these athletes driving huge gas guzzling SUV's and trucks. Displays in the athletes village that were powered by portable generators. And swimming through all the gas fumes and oil slicks left by race fans in their boats.
I applaud you for launching this program.
Posted by: Don | April 03, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Wow very cool, thanks for getting something like this going!!
Posted by: Wil | April 03, 2008 at 11:13 AM
hmmm... doesn't a big 4x4 van create large amount of CO2 emissions, even if it is run on biodiesel, simply because it is a big van?
Posted by: Green envie | April 03, 2008 at 03:25 PM
There is nothing "green" about being a triathlete. We still have to get to and from races, waste incredible amounts of paper cups and sponges and food and water. It's just a lame excuse for living a selfish lifestyle.
I am right there having participated in tris for over 25 years, but I would never try to justify my sport to anyone as being environmentally friendly!
Posted by: fe-lady | April 04, 2008 at 06:04 AM
I think what you're doing is fantastic. There are those in the world who accept something being bad and there are those who try to change it. Thanks for trying for change! Rock on brother!
Posted by: Kennedy | April 04, 2008 at 08:12 AM