A new commute
Do you read Brendan Leonard’s blog Semi-Rad? You should.
A description of the site:
“Semi-Rad is enthusiasm for things regular folks can do. It’s what can be done with 52 weekends and a few weeks of vacation a year. It’s adventures for the everyman and woman. It’s a web site for those of us crushing it, kind of.”
As a girl who loves adventures but isn’t straight-up bonkers, this is my kind of philosophy. But given that the things that Brendan does are decidedly “radder” than what I do, I suppose that makes me… Semi-Semi-Rad? A Semi-Radlette?
Anyway, awhile back Brendan wrote a post called “9 Reasons Why You Should Never Bike to Work.” And I realized that I’d used just about every excuse he listed.
The truth is that I work 3 miles from my house, and with the exception of 2 blocks on either end, there’s a bike path the entire way. The truth is that the majority of places I drive to around town are fewer than 5 miles away. The truth is that I go through close to 3 tanks of gas each month, even when I don’t leave town. The truth is that I work with all women so there’s no pressure to look perfect every day (and I appreciate it, ladies). The truth is that there’s no reason for me not to bike to work.
So I bought a bike off of Craigslist on Saturday morning – an un-sexy hybrid with a big cushy seat, so I can ride like the queen I am. The weekend was spent riding around Denver in glorious weather; I had forgotten how joyful it is to ride a bike. I rode to work this morning and made it in less time it would have taken me to drive. I showed up at the office with fresh air in my lungs and a smile on my face, ready to conquer the week – and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow.
For obvious reasons, riding a bike is good for the environment, my health, and my bank account. And I’m really excited to become just a tiny bit more rad.
share:
Awesome! Danabug can’t ride her bike to work, but she was very happy to take a few turns around the neighborhood yesterday…a beautiful sunny afternoon. She named her bike Daisy.
YAY! So happy for you!!
How cool! That’s awesome!
In other news, it is high time we made a phone date happen.
Good for you, Annie!
niiiiiiiice! and I’m glad you have a better attitude than I did when I had to get a bike to rehab from running! it is really nice, isn’t it? I wish I could ride mine to work!!
If I can borrow a phrase from The Aquabats: Annie, I think you are Super Rad. Enjoy your bike rides – what a great way to start and end your days.
As always, I am so proud of you, and so delighted at such wise decisions you’re making, basically embracing an urban lifestyle wherever it works for you. You’re an inspiration to me. And thanks for introducing us to the skyline of Denver from a really good restaurant.
Riding my bike to work is the highlight of my week. I don’t do it every day or even every week, but the days that I do are SIGNIFICANTLY better because of the extra exercise, fresh air, and pride that I just saved $5 in gas.
[…] got a bike and a puppy within a week of each other, and this is what it looks like: wake up (in the dark) to […]