What Knowledge We Share On Weekend Rides

During our training ride this Saturday near Huntsville we had an informal discussion about electric power generation and renewable energy resources. Don't ask me how it got started, but it was not surprising how diverse and passionate the conversation became. 

Some in our group took the stand that hydrocarbons will be prominent forever. Some said no new forms of energy will emerge. Some said just the opposite. Some stated that micro electrical generation units, "fuel cells" will emerge and even shock our current belief systems. 

I took the "E" stand. Renewable energy sources and Electric powered vehicles are moving rapidly forward and disrupting what we have all taken for granted in our life. 

I believe the day will come when the predominant source of our energy will come from the sun and subsequently the wind and waves.

People will view gasoline and diesel vehicles as "old school" relics of the past.  Not in my life, but it's gonna happen. 

As a trending example, read this recent article found on AARP's magazine: http://www.aarp.org/auto/info-2017/electric-vehicles-more-affordable-fd.html?intcmp=AE-HP-DP2

When we ride across the Oregon Trail in a few weeks, we might imagine similar discussions in the 1850's by the wagon drivers:

"Hey Jeb, you reckon we ever be able to fly like a bird?" "Hell no Jimmy, if man was meant to fly, God woulda given him wings son." Now tend to your mules boy quit that crazy dreamin."

Little did those wagon masters in 1850 know that Leonardo DaVinci had envisioned flight in the 1500's. And little could Jeb imagine that Lilienthal would fly in a glider in 1890, and that in 1903, man would take to the air in a powered aircraft. And that a little over 100 years from that wagon train's travels in time, man would set foot on the moon. Flying there in a space craft. 

Ref: https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/lilienthal-glider

Ref: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/wright.htm

The Wright Flyer built from an image in their minds.

Did I mention the E bike I saw 2 weeks ago on FM1488. The guy was peddling about a half mile ahead of me and headed my way when suddenly without peddling, he accelerated rapidly and blew by at about 25 mph or more. Big smile on his face as he showed off his new "E" bike of the future. 

The Evelo Delta E Bike - 40 Mile Range between Charges