How is riding a 100 miles on a bicycle like running an innovation company?

A few weeks back I achieved the bicyclists version of a runner’s marathon: the century ride - - 100 miles in one day.  As I rode I began to realize what a powerful metaphor it was for my business, innovation, and so its achievement became even more powerful for me.

Here’s why:

A specific goal to achieve was established.
Without goals people, like businesses, tend to drift from one event or crisis to another. Does it often seem that life has no plan because you always have to attend to what is directly in front of you?  Having a goal that is tangible as well as a stretch is a way of giving context to chaos, meaning to mush, and focus to action.  I think those are all good things in our life and especially in the innovation business.

I envisioned the outcome weeks before the ride date.
The most successful visionaries can see, feel and taste the outcome of what they want to accomplish. You internalize your vision. “What will I feel like when I cross the finish line?” Making that feeling real helps you push through the months of training. In innovation we are often working on projects that are undefined and vague but envisioning the outcome keeps us working even when things seem completely undefined.

Failure was not an option.
The fact that I told EVERYONE I KNEW about my ride  meant that, short of being hit by a bus, I had to finish. How embarrassing otherwise. And so failure was not allowed. This mental state means you push through no matter what. Bring that same attitude to an innovation challenge or any business challenge and you get it done.

Doing good while doing well.
A life well-lived is one with a virtuous cycle (no pun): we know what we do, how we do it and why we do it. It is the why that many in commerce struggle with. The why must have a higher purpose - - something that gives back and makes the world better. When we have no “why” we usually are just going through the motions. My “why” was about being green; I think everyone should ride a bicycle if they have the opportunity to use it as a replacement for a fossil fuel trip. The world would be better. Your body would be better. Your mind would be clearer. You get the picture.

I got to be in my dream state.
Dreaming, whether you are awake or asleep, is often where we find our best inspiration and solve tough problems. For me, the act of bicycling produces a heady dream-like state of mind. I begin to think about my toughest problems and often solve them on my bicycle. I carry a pen to scribble and a Blackberry to tap. Innovation requires a dream state. Bicycling and innovation are made for each other.

I began to believe I had the power to accomplish anything.
Something changes in us when we accomplish great things. We understand what it is like to win, to achieve, and to conquer our fears and anxieties. Professional athletes know this feeling well. And business people know it as well. Success brings more success. Once you know what it feels like you want it again and again and you begin to know what to do to get there.

On ride day I never checked the distance covered or average speed or how long it was taking. I usually fixate on those things when I train. Instead I “enjoyed the journey” and lived in the moment all while achieving a tough goal. In the achievement of our life goals, time is the only barometer we have to measure success. The distance covered or goals achieved are simply the outgrowh of how we chose to use the precious time we have. 

Happy cycling.

Janette Sadik-Khan for King/Queen of the Universe!

This is Cindy. I ran into her when I was cycling over to the West Side of Manhattan a few weeks back. I had to stop abruptly because the ramp directly behind her that runs down to the Greenway on the Hudson was shut. Big sinkhole. No big deal for me. I found another way there.  But for Cindy it meant no enjoying the day on the river path. But she was so laid back about it. She had a great attitude. It gave me gratitude for my blessings.

When I got home I sent a note to our Department of Transportation Commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan about a possible fix. For those of you who do not know of her, she is a force of nature par excellence.  She has done more to improve the lives of us in NYC than you can ever imagine. Through her efforts NYC has become pedestrian and cycling friendly. Her work is incredible, miraculous, fantastic wonderful and amazing. I cannot say enough good things about her.

Today on my trip the sinkhole was fixed. Cindy, I assume, was down by the river enjoying the breeze.

Janette would tell you she had nothing to do with the repairs.  But I know it was her magic elves at work. Or if not, just her incredible kharma making life better.

I vote that she become empress of all things in the universe.

Cheers and ride safely.

My Least Favorite Sign in NYC

Signs here. Signs there. Signs everywhere. Too many signs.

I don’t know why, but signs as a metaphor for life have intrigued me of late. After all, as vital human beings aren’t we always looking for signposts, signals, divine direction or even some prosaic affirmation of which way in life to go?

But the metaphorical is ephemeral at best. Especially when there are so many literal signs all about. Why look for meaning in symbols when there is so much concrete direction provided?

So many signs. Everywhere. It’s as if we have lost all common sense. Walk. Don’t walk. Look both ways. Go right. Stay left. Yield. Stop. Stay in lane. Remove your laptop. No cellphone usage. Bear right. Bear Left. Beware of Bears. Too many signs.

There used to be fewer signs. Was it because we were less prone to be lost? We didn’t have GPS at our noses. We had to follow our senses and our noses. Were there fewer of us and fewer places to go? And were we moving more slowly when we were going where we were going so we needed fewer signs?

There is a purity to a vista that has no signs. An unencumbered beauty ode to a natural landscape that allows us to just “be” without having someone or some sign tells us anything at all. Those vistas are harder and harder to find. Even Frank Lloyd Wright tried to convince the President of the United States not to put up telephone poles with wires on the landscape under the mountains facing his house in Phoenix. What would he think of what he saw there now?

I took a ride over the almost completed $600million Willis Avenue Bridge between Manhattan and Bronx. It is, to say the least, a vast improvement over the previous structure. Especially the “pedestrian” path. It’s wide, smooth, and has no stairs to negotiate. And it had no signs. At least until the middle and then there it was. . An egregious assault. A sign. It had no words. Just a picture of a bicycle within a “do not” red symbol. Ouch.

Like I said. Too many signs.

Has New York City Jumped The Shark?

Bicycling around town through the years provides a sense of the warp and woof of the place and I must admit I am a bit concerned about what I see and feel:

- Fewer people. On foot and in cars there are just fewer folks trudging around everyday. And I mean trudging. Less folks going into midtown office buildings and fewer cars creating gridlock. Has the ability to work virtually finally created the tipping point for our obsolete and energy soaking 19th century central factory location mentality regarding "work"? And if so what are we going to do with all that office space?

And speaking of real estate the residential turnover market in Manhattan has slowed a bit in 2012? Could it be that the new schema for Wall Street bonus' will form a permanently soft real estate market?

-Cost: have you tried to buy a cup of coffee and muffin in this town on the cheap? The cost of living continues to go up while wages are still stagnating. That is not a good formula for a vibrant city.

Regardless, the bicycling is still inspired. Just take a look at the photo bf BBUD on the East River yesterday during lunch. You can't beat the joy of urban cycling - - even if the sharks are circling.

Bicycling to LaGuardia

I have to say, I am giddy with joy. I have been thinking about getting to LaGuardia Airport from the Upper East Side of Manhattan by bicycle for quite some time. Today I did it. And on my 1965 one speed Schwinn with coaster brakes. Giddy I tell you.

It’s between 8 and 10 miles from between where I live (82^nd Street) and LGA. So the distance is not the issue. Things like bringing a fully packed case loaded for business plus an overnite bag for your good clothes. That’s an issue. Doing it all on a one speed, that’s an issue. Doing it in 30degrees F. And making sure you don’t smell and your hair dosen’t look funny. And making sure you don’t get hit in the dawn light. Those are issues.

Gearing up:

Briefcase strapped to rear rack (like every morning but this time it includes a projector as well as MacBook). Clothes and toiletries for trip are put in satchel that goes around chest and hangs off back NYC messenger style. Helmet lit to full. Plastic rain jacket mostly un-breathable (to keep heat in) over sports jacket. Plastic rain pants (it did in fact snow shower the eve before) for heat and spray.

The Route:

At exactly 6:30am I leave 82^nd and Park. Down Park Ave, left at 59^th St and over to York, left to grab Ed Koch bridge entrance on 60^th. Over that beautiful span. See at least four bicyclists coming into Manhattan. They are all Asian or Hispanic. The bicycle is the real the People’s Transport. Pick up 21^st Street past 24hr diners, cab repair shops, window tinters, and The Pep Boys (have me show you the matchbook joke someday). Under the RFK Bridge and first real stop for traffic. See a sea of single occupied cars making turns onto 21^st Street towards LIC. This country has screwed itself with its dependence on oil. Hook a right onto 22^nd Ave until it hits Ditmars Blvd.

Queens is beautiful.

Past the airport car rental places. Thinking that TSA or police will be stopping me any moment. After all, here is a man with a Semitic nose and complexion going on a bicycle past the runways with bags on his back and lit up by flashing lights on his head. But no, it must be too low tech for anyone to notice.

Arrive at American Terminal 7:22am.

Did I mention I was giddy with joy?

I Resolve Not To Yell Profanities From My Bicycle

2012. Lots of resolutions. Being a daily cyclist means that weight loss is not one of them (albeit I seem to be all legs and lungs with mush and no muscle above the waist).

And speaking of mush and no muscle I fall into the camp of slow rider. A few weeks ago I got to ride with some of the guys who are in the NY VeloCity club. One showed up with his new bike with the electronic Shimano shifter things. Needless to say I was dropped immediately if not sooner but they did drop back to stay with me for 6 minutes before heading up to Nyack and back to NYC while I wheezed my way home.

Did I say I didn't need to lose weight? Or maybe I just need to get younger. These guys were all 20 years my junior. But no excuse. It did, however, make me want to curse a bit.

And speaking of cursing, I have resolved not to yell profanities at motorists and pedestrians who do stupid things. This will take more self-discipline than losing 100 pounds because there are so many stupid things that happen daily. Mostly red light runners, cars turning in front of you and pedestrians stepping off the curb because cyclists, after all, don't count.

I have studied profanity a lot while riding. Here is what I have discovered. Most profane utterings are two guttural syllables. Think about it: F... Y.., D..... B.., S... H..., A.. H...

I have tried to come up with substitutes.

It is difficult.

I tried yelling "Troglodyte", but it is too long and just doesn't have the gravitas and impact. "Cro-Magnon" also too effete and too many syllables. "Dufus" comes close but just elicits a smiley smirk.

So I have come to a realization. Yelling profanities doesn't do anything productive. It just zaps you of good Karma. And what good is that?

So my 2012 bicycle resolution: brake, smile and keep on going. Oh, and work on my upper body strength. Who knows, maybe in twenty years those NY VeloCity guys will have to work to catch up to me.

Cheers all.