One Year Anniversary of Bicycling

Cement horse planter on E. St. John

This month marks the one year anniversary of riding my bike to work. The decision to commute by bike became so much more than I anticipated.  I didn't expect to enjoy riding so much or ride so many places other than work.  I didn't expect to see so much more of the city and I didn't expect to rethink so many things that I just did by habit. I didn't think I'd be getting a new bike but I did.  I quit riding the cruiser in favor of a very lightweight custom re-built 1986 Schwinn Traveler that I can lift onto the light rail bike racks with ease. Here is the break-down of my year of riding:

4 flat tires
2 accidents
1 tiny facial scar
2 very scarred knees
6 pound weight loss (without trying)
207 gallons of gas saved
many new bike-related friendships

Cement horse on E. St. John St.

I was expecting to save money by not buying gas to commute but when I calculated the cost of my light rail passes and subtracted that amount from the money saved in gas, it was about a wash. Still, a year on the road in my opinion: priceless.