Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/25194
FIT FOR THE ROAD In It for the Adventure “Trucker Cycler” Scott Grenerth sees the country by truck and by bike MISTY BELL Scott Grenerth, 40, has been trucking for more than 10 years. He’s been an owner-operator, leased to Fikes, for just over two years, and hauls steel and aluminum primarily throughout the Midwest. W hen did you become interested in cycling? I have loved biking since I was a little, little kid. I used to take trips way further than my mom or dad would want me to. I used to sneak out into other neighborhoods. I love to explore, and I’d have to say the bike is my favorite way to do it. Kayaking is a close second. … This is something that I’ve said many times: How many drivers became a truck driver because they wanted to “see the country?” How many drivers actually get to see the coun- try and really experience it, when you go from Warehouse A up in Among Fikes owner-operator Scott Grenerth’s favorite places to ride, Nashville’s Shelby Bottoms Greenway stretches along and over (pictured) the Cumberland River East of down- town, within easy biking distance of both the downtown TA and Trinity Lane Love’s. Northwest Ohio to Warehouse B somewhere in New Mexico. You get sort of an overview of the country, but you’re not really able to expe- rience it. That’s what I love about the bike. I can meet great peo- ple, get great food, enjoy music, sit back and relax in a nice park that I ride my bike to. All of those things are accessible to me because of my bike, and they might not be acces- sible to some other truckers, even CSA BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH (CERTIFICATION)? Compliance program has minimal health-related requirements With the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis- tration’s Compliance, Safety and Accountability program coming into play, some drivers are more concerned than ever that their health will take them off the road. But is this worry warranted? Probably not. While CSA does include a “Driver Fitness” BASIC category of measurement, it doesn’t involve additional health requirements. The program does, however, emphasize the importance of keeping medical certification 32 TRUCKERS NEWS MARCH 2011 up-to-date, with penalties against companies for non-compliance. Additionally, the Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC includes penalties assessed to the driver for substance or alcohol possession or abuse — fairly common sense and, again, not really anything new. For more information about the program, includ- ing the Driver Fitness BASIC, visit www.csa2010. fmcsa.dot.gov. those driving bobtail. What are some of your favorite places to ride? Nashville. Specifically from the TA … that’s a great one for anybody because you’re right there, and you can explore downtown. They’ve got parks. Bicentennial Park is a really cool one that showcases the his- tory of Tennessee that’s right across the river from the TA. … And then you’ve got the state capitol right there, which is beautiful. Of course, you can’t mention Nashville with- out mentioning the music. You’ve just got oodles of options there. … For bike riding, there’s the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, which is a multipurpose trail that goes right along the river. I want to say it goes about six miles or so. There’s a bike lane that you can follow that goes right to the trail. It’s a nice, easy ride, a lot of beautiful nature. And then there’s food galore. Nash- ville is a major international city. continued on page 71 TODD DILLS