A group of CCAD employees have given up on driving their cars in to the Corpus Christi Army Depot every morning.
Meet the cyclists who brave the heat, rain and cold every day to get to work on time in this three-part series.
Is cycling as easy as it sounds? What about the stink factor? (You know you want to know!) More importantly, what do you need to know before riding on Corpus Christi's Naval Air Base? Are there any required documents, licenses, special equipment or gear necessary to ride your bike on the base?
In this three-part feature, you'll hear the personal stories of three CCAD employees and why they've switched from burning fossil fuels to burning calories on their daily commute to work.
You have most likely seen them as they zip past you while you are waiting in line at the South Gate, the guys riding their bikes to work. But have you ever seriously considered riding a bike to work?
You think of how simple it would be to weave through the zig-zag patterned traffic standing between you and the base. A bike could cut right through the crowd and get you straight to the sentry where you can present your ID and get waved through to work. Bicycles seem like the perfect solution, especially considering the amount of tightly regulated traffic zones and limited parking on base.
But what about quitting time? When the green flag drops and the CCAD 500 begins, the bulk of the CCAD workforce's first shift departs from work. If you're a cyclist stuck in the pandemonium of the CCAD 500, you face an entirely new set of challenges, especially if your route takes you onto South Padre Island Drive and beyond.
Jason Buseman says he's been riding his bike to work for about four years now. Hot or cold, he rides his bike. Dark or light, he is riding.
The only thing that really deters him from riding in to work is rain. Buseman prefers to work dry. Being wet and cold at work isn't the best thing, so he doesn't ride in the rain, but other than that, he rides every day and loves not having to sit in any traffic. Ever.
Among the benefits to riding to work, other than avoiding traffic, is the money it saves. As a regular cyclist, Buseman said he only fuels up his vehicle once a month, at most, so he saves money on gas. And, though he bought a truck two years ago, Jason has only accumulated 5,000 miles on it so now the resale value of his vehicle is higher. Some insurance companies even give discounted insurance rates to drivers who limit the number of miles they accumulate on their vehicles each year.
It's not all about the money. Cycling is also good for your body. Even on a stationary bike, cycling is one of the most endearing forms of exercise, keeping people on the move since 1865. While riding tandem isn't for everybody, a properly working body means a better, healthier you. Regular exercise has been known to reduce stress, promote better sleep, regulating the human body to function as a well-oiled machine.
Buseman says he's gained a new perspective since sitting in the bike seat. Traveling by car, you miss the subtle details and small day-to-day occurrences happening in the world around you. As a cyclist, he's soaking up the little things in life -- except rain. An unexpected cool breeze, rustle of a nearby animal, or flash of lightning as it skips from cloud to cloud overhead all add to the adventure he makes out of every journey.
In the next feature, we'll learn what keeps CCAD employee Richard Edwards pedaling to work. Bicycle Curious? Our CCAD cyclists are your guide to the newest bikes on the market today.
Do you have a question for our cyclists? Send your comments or questions to usarmy.corpuschristi.usamc.mbx.pao@mail.mil. Use CCAD Cyclists in the subject heading.
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