Last-minute fitting of my backpack before hopping into my loaded-down Civic for a drive to the beach for a 16-mile hike.

The typical Honda Civic seats five humans. Mine, however, seats one, or two if somebody doesn’t mind discomfort. It’s not that I don’t want friends riding with me– it’s just not possible with my active pack rat lifestyle. I’ll go space by space to explain (and this is just stuff that’s in there today, after a recent cleaning).

First, the front passenger seat. A bicycle helmet, a newly purchased pair of work shoes so my feet don’t hurt after long hours of exercise and walking hospital floors, an empty bottle of Naked Superfood Green Machine, and various receipts for athletic paraphernalia. Foot room? Uh-uh. On the floorboard is a bike pump, a water bottle, some dirty athletic socks, and a pair of running shoes. While we’re looking around up front, I should mention the console. The cup holder on the right has a gym membership card and a pack of gum (to avoid gym breath). The one on the left has registration information for a nearby 5K. Really, where would you sit?

To the back seat. From one end to the other, without 1/2 inch wiggle room, is most of my Novara bike. On the floorboards is its front wheel, plus two clean pairs of running socks, another empty water bottle, and a sweatshirt that should’ve been washed three workouts ago. Plus, there’s the general funk that comes with sporty things kept in a confined space.

I like to think of my car as a second home, or maybe a bit like a mobile storage shed for gear in case the urge to pull over and get active strikes. Have I killed my gas milage yet? Maybe, but you can bet I’ll be ready for any impromptu fitness gatherings in town.