Innovate or Die Contest

Specialized Bikes and Google are sponsoring a contest called Innovate or Die. Invent something cool involving pedal power and you could win. I have a few ideas but I can't participate because I am a Google employee. Not creative? Well, at least take a look at the web site. I especially like the crankset driving planet earth. You can also check out videos of the entries. We need more like that.

Biodiesel -- my first filter change

The other day I went to a gas station (Valley Oil in Mountain View, CA) that sells pure Biodiesel, well B99, so virtually pure Biodiesel. Anyway, a little more expensive than the B20 from Rotten Robbie but it's environmentally even better. Now, when you switch to Biodiesel fuel filter clogging after a few tanks of Biodiesel is pretty common. So I went ahead and changed. Thanks to the Cincinnati TDI Club it was super simple. They posted a video online on how to change the fuel filter. Took a mere 15 minutes and everything was done. Car runs great and I am still doing something good for the environment.

Environmentally Friendly

Today, I did a good thing for the environment. For the first time I refilled the fuel tank of my little 2003 Volkswagen Golf TDI with biodiesel. It was B20, meaning it's a blend of 20% biodiesel made from soybeans and 80% petrodiesel. That's the recommended blend to start with before moving on to B99 or even B100. Felt good, and didn't cost more than regular diesel. Rotten Robbie is one of the first chains to run a few gas stations that sell biodiesel. Anyway, what are the benefits of biodiesel? Check out biodiesel.org for all the details. In a nutshell:

• Pure biodiesel reduces CO2 emissions by up to 78%.
• The CO2 released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.
• According to biodiesel.org, scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel fuel.
  

Now if that doesn't make you feel good, what does? What are you doing for the environment today? I think I am turning into a little Eco-terrorist ...