Getting Excited about Biking!

When I was 8 years old, I got a brand new bike, which I promptly named Old Paint, after the horse in the song we were singing for our 2nd grade rodeo. This was definitely an unusual occurence, since, as the youngest of 3, I mostly got hand-me-downs. When I finally outgrew Old Paint, and I had to resign myself to riding my sister's 20-some-year-old bike well into my teen years.

Now that I'm an adult and living only 2 miles from work but 2,000 miles from my hometown, I decided that I wanted to buy myself a bike for my commute to work. (This was in part inspired by my older brother, who has been a avid cyclist for many years. He was certainly proud to hear that his little sister was following in his footsteps!) After searching for several months, I found the bike for me! (Check out the picture at the end of this post!) I've been riding to work for almost a month now, and I absolutely LOVE it.

The first leg of my commute is this gorgeous trail,
which goes under the bridge I'm taking the picture from.

Although you never forget how to ride a bike, you can sure get rusty at it! It took me a good 2 weeks to refine my riding techniques. (I frequently still repeat to myself, "Light hands, heavy feet!") I also had to build up the muscles in my legs and increase my stamina so I didn't have to stop for breaks. I love to feel the wind in my face as coast down hills and the strength building in my legs as a pump back up the other side. I'm fortunate that my commute allows me to ride along a beautiful bike trail that runs beside a creek. Every morning, I see ducks splashing in the water and birds flitting about in the trees. In the evening, I see other cyclists commuting home the same as I am, calling salutations to each other as we bike along the trail. I'm learning the ways of the cyclist, and I'm loving the new culture I've become a part of.


Even though biking can be hard and tiring work, the physical and psychological benefits make it totally worth it. I come to work refreshed and revitalized from the exercise and the time spent in nature. And I really miss biking on days when I have to go without! As I settle in to my new routine and new commute, I'm getting really excited about biking! Now I just need a cute basket for my bike... ;)

This is Murray, my new bike! Ain't she a beaut?