Short story: when I arrived to KS I rode my bike to class daily and have only had to fill up my Jeep 10x times in 10 months saving who knows how much w/ gas prices.
Additionally, it has motivated me to ride at my next duty station despite having to travel farther - it's given me the confidence to do it.
Thanks for providing an excellent service here in the immediate community. The sport can be intimidating at times but you (and your employees) are always there with a smile and give encouragement.
I started commuting to work in 2004, after I broke three ribs and found running too painful. It is also when I started riding with Santa Fe Trails Racing Team. Back then, we lived in Lansing – about 10 miles (35-45 minutes or so) each way – I began commuting on my brand new Specialized Roubaix. A couple of neighbors and my wife rode in with me some days. Those cold winter mornings tested the limits of every item of bicycle clothing Brendan sold, and those hot summer evenings riding up De Soto Road hill after work seemed to test my physical limits. We bought “Big Red,” my current commuter bike, a couple of years later – a “gently-used” trade-in at SFT – and I got all the weight off my shoulders into panniers.
We moved to Leavenworth in 2007 – one of our considerations for location was ease of bicycle commuting. Our Little House with a view of the Big House cut the commuting distance in half. Carol and I commute in together every day we can. We usually skip the days there is greater than a 50% chance of rain, mostly because of the increased maintenance requirements, but also out of safety concerns. We like to say that we are “heartened” by the drivers who are in such a hurry to get to work each day! We also draw the line when temperature dip below about 20 degrees.
But all that is background. The best part of commuting is that I get to ride to work with my wife of nearly 30 years, and it is often the best part of our day. Kind of sad about our “work.” I know! But it gets us going in the morning. We’ve seen rainbows and the occasional bolt of lightning, felt raindrops and a snowflake or two, and witnessed some gorgeous sunrises. I’ve sacrificed a cell phone to a thunderstorm I didn’t quite out maneuver, lost a water bottle that popped out of the cage over some rough pavement and rolled into a storm sewer. I’ve worn out tires and tubes and cables and headlights and taillights and lots of triple A batteries. But let me tell you – I wouldn’t change a bit of it (well, maybe the phone).
If you haven’t tried it … TRY IT! If you are worried about the traffic, try to find a route that takes you on wider and/or less traveled roads. See if you can get a neighbor to ride with you. Watch the weather forecast to avoid the worst weather. Get the right gear for comfort and safety (can never have enough lights or reflectors!). Then just put on your helmet and ride!
Ride your bike to work EVERY week!
