I’ll start this one off by thanking the Bay Area Open Space Council & Transit and Trails for helping create a movement in which people are excited to enjoy the outdoors without contributing to our carbon-pregnant atmosphere.  This celebrates American independence in so many ways.  It celebrates ingenuity.  It celebrates access for all.   It celebrates the kinetic power of human flesh.  Our bodies are amazing tools for enjoying life.  We must take care of them.  Yeah, human flesh, that’s pretty cool huh?

This TnT trip provides insight towards understanding the true cost of energy needed for “recreational” travel.  We all want to get outside and go play.   But do we need to grab the car keys to get there.  It’s a reflex we need to unlearn.  Cars do not need to be a necessary component of recreation.  Celebrate independence without a car, like all American’s should.

Do we need to burn so much fuel for our own entertainment?  Do you ever wonder how much of that highly contested foreign oil is spent on national defense activity?  According to the Department of Defense, The DoD’s total primary energy consumption in Fiscal Year 2006 was 1100 trillion Btu.   That’s roughly what the entire country of Nigeria uses annually.  What if the military used transit? (Ha!)  What if we spent 1/2 our military budget on education? (Ha, not funny) Now that would be energy well spent.

One of my favorite aspects of TnT is that it helps celebrate our local resources. Our backyards are filled with wonderful natural bounty from grandiose oaks to inch worms to lions and bluebirds alike.  Nature thrives within a stones throw of our communities.  Energy independence may be most rewarding when it helps you celebrate home.

Three peaks in one day with no help from the dinosaurs (except my own as the photographer) is no small feat.

128 miles.

3 major peaks of the Bay Area.

Almost 11,000 vertical feet of elevation gain.

On June 21, 2011, 7 riders completed the Triple Threat (Mt. Hamilton, Mt. Tam   Mt. Diablo), 9 did the Double Dip (Mt. Tam & Mt. Diablo) and 2 did the Single Summit (Mt. Diablo).  Congrats to everyone.  You all rock (and roll).

Here are some chronological photos from the journey – click on any one to enlarge.  Thanks for the great times. -Lech