Back in the Saddle

The other day I got a sticker that reads:  "I bike because I'm awesome".  I love the positive attitude!  Lately I have been trying to rediscover the joys of bike riding.  The freedom to move when traffic is heavy, the knowledge that what I'm doing is good for my body and the environment, and just a tiny bit of feeling young-ish again.

I rode my bike everywhere as a kid all the way through college.  I rode to school, the library, the beach, friends' houses, summer jobs and just to take a ride along Lake Michigan.  I was not particularly fast but I really loved it.

The bike I rode most was a hand-me-down from my oldest sister, a dark green 3-speed Raleigh, something like this bike.  It was solid, dependable and probably heavier than me.  I later upgraded to a lighter Nishiki hybrid, which I still have.

At some point the logistics of getting to jobs and other commitments made biking not a part of my transportation plan.  When my kids were babies I tried using a bike trailer.  They both like biking now, but no matter how I tried they were not so fond of the bike trailer.  (Add that to the list for their future therapy sessions).

 I decided to try commuting to my class at the local community college after spending about 15 minutes getting out of the parking garage the first couple of sessions.  I figured the ride wouldn't take much longer or be more nerve wracking than being being trapped in the garage before my 10 minute drive home.

I hadn't ridden on city streets in a long time, but I had noticed a path along the main road and figured I had a safe route.  I have been on a few longer bike rides recently, but those have been on bike trails away from traffic.

The League of American Bicyclists estimates that women accounted for just 26% of all bike trips taken in 2011 in Virginia, where I live.  I was happy to try and add to that number.  I was just a little nervous when I put on my helmet and got on my bike.

So far I have done this ride twice.  It took me about 35 minutes door-to-door for the almost 3 mile trip.  Fortunately there are sidewalks almost the whole way.  In this part of the 'burbs there are no bike lanes.  I discovered a nice neighborhood to ride through, away from the main road, for part of the trip and only have one scary intersection to cross without a light.

Some things I learned on my recent rides:

• It is really fun. I want to bike more!
• Sidewalks do not mean a smooth bike path.  Watch out for bumps, tree roots etc.
• Do not assume drivers see you!  I am extremely cautious crossing busy streets, even in the crosswalk with a green light.  Many drivers do not look carefully when turning right.
• Sometimes sidewalks end abruptly and become a road.  This was a bit of a surprise the first time!
• You do not need to ride fast to get somewhere.  I ride like a tortoise.
• A bike computer is a fun way to track speed and mileage.  This was a recent Mother's Day gift:

Proof of My Journey

Looking for information on biking in the Washington, DC area?  The folks at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association have a helpful website.

Happy and safe biking everyone!