Each day I ride my bike I’m putting my body (and maybe my life) in the hands of strangers driving 2-ton vehicles. It’s an odd feeling to be in such a vulnerable position. When I began riding to work last year I was scared of traffic for the first couple of weeks. I stayed as far off the road as possible and seldom rode with traffic. As I got into better shape and felt more confident in my … [Read more...]
Two Blocks
October 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I hadn't pedaled two blocks from home today when I began to wonder why I had decided to bike to work in such chilly weather. I've biked to work on a few colder days, but today I felt it through my whole body. I haven't pushed my body like this since I was in high school. Some days my body pushes back and I've learned it's best to listen when that happens. I'd rather bike when the sun is out … [Read more...]
They Don’t Speak As Loudly
August 19, 2012 by 1 Comment
I zipped around the curve and up the small hill before heading down the final stretch to home this evening. The sun had gone down and a cool breeze had moved in. Three months ago I would have been out of breath and thinking to myself, “Why am I doing this?” But tonight was different. Although my light didn’t shine too far down the road I didn’t really need it. The dog walkers and … [Read more...]
Unforeseen Benefit of Biking
August 12, 2012 by 1 Comment
I’ve written a number of times on the health benefits of giving up my car for my bike. I’ve dropped a few pounds, sleep better, and feel more alert at work. I’m finally at the point where driving makes me feel lazy which is a great because it means I’ve developed a healthy habit. But one of the best benefits had slipped my mind till today. The last couple of weekends I’ve taken … [Read more...]
600 Miles
July 17, 2012 by
After nine weeks of riding my bike to work I hit the 600 mile mark, and it feels great. Instead of finding excuses why I couldn’t ride to work (it’s raining, it’s too far, it’s too dangerous) I decided to find ways to work it into my job and family’s schedule. Overall it’s been a welcome lifestyle change. I started out just biking to work but that quickly changed into biking anywhere … [Read more...]
Getting Passed
July 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
As I’ve written before, I’ve been riding my bike to and from work each day going on just over a month now. Some days I fly up the hill to my home and some days I barely make it home. Who am I kidding, I never fly up the hill. I still use the lowest gear possible and there are many days I feel like my heart is going to explode if I don’t pass out first. Last week I was making my way up … [Read more...]
Extend the Day
June 13, 2012 by 1 Comment
A couple months of language training in Provo, Utah gave me me false sense of hope that I could speak German. But when I finally arrived in Siegen, Germany to serve as a missionary I had no idea what I was hearing. It certainly didn’t sound like the German I studied back in the states. I was difficult to appreciate my new home when I couldn’t understand the people around me. Our days were … [Read more...]
Mount Rainier
June 11, 2012 by 1 Comment
When I’m in my car, I tend to listen to NPR or podcast or music. Anything to take my mind off traffic and make the trip feel shorter. When I drive, I want to get to my destination as soon as possible. I seldom pay attention to my surroundings. I’m on auto-pilot much of the time. On my bike ride this morning I heard frogs. Very loud frogs hiding in the brush just off the side of the … [Read more...]
