In Sacramento, we have something called May Is Bike Month, which is a simple initiative to promote bike riding in the region. Many workplaces and schools create teams to track commute miles, and other clubs and individuals create teams to track recreation and errand miles. In total, I think the regional goal is to ride over a million miles.
So, my husband and I decided to participate this year, and we set a goal to ride 100 miles each this month. As of today, we have met 35% of our goal, which makes me pretty proud. I know the hard core cyclists ride 100 miles in a single race, but I’m not hard core… yet. For a gal who is over 100 pounds overweight, I am feeling pretty accomplished about 35 miles in our first week, and at this pace, we may even exceed our goal.
We actually enjoy riding our bikes, so riding feels more like an outing than exercise – well, except uphill when it feels very much like exercise. For the hills, we just gear down and pedal, pedal, pedal. At the top of the hill or overpass or whatever we had to climb, we feel like fitness rock stars, just for a minute. I surprised myself a few times by making it to the top of something that looks so intimidating from the bottom, and that kind of fitness pride is addictive.
Sunday, we rode to Chipotle and split (instead of having our own and feeling too weighed down to ride home) a burrito bowl. We rode 13 miles round trip and ate half what we normally would. When we got home, we had fruit bowls for dessert. Now THAT’s a healthy choice I’d like to make a habit.
thinkingdj
May 9, 2012
I love that idea of civic engagement through bike riding. And way to go on 35 miles! That’s impressive! I ride my bike almost every day, to the gym and to the train for my commute, but it’s only 2 miles total each day. Chicago has virtually no hills though, so when I do encounter a slight incline, I tend to whine like a baby.
Awesome!
Shannan
May 19, 2012
Riding every day, even short trips, is so great! I’m trying to develop that habit, but in a suburban environment, it’s something you really have to set out to do deliberately. I imagine in an urban place, like Chicago, a bike might be easier than a car, in terms of traffic and parking, so there’s added incentive to ride. Whatever the motivation though, keep it up… and just gear down for the hills.