I drove to work today for the first time in a year.

I drove to work today for the first time in a year.

September 1st 2010 I started a personal challenge to bike to work for an entire year.  I am happy to say - "I did it"

It wasn't always easy - and it wasn't always fun, but I have no regrets (and will continue to bike to work often... just not EVERY day). In the end it was a very rewarding experience.

I spent a total of 337h 7m 11s biking a total of 4337.50 miles (9.4 miles each way)

I saved $1,951.88 in gas alone and kept 5656.10 lbs of carbon out of our air.

I listened to several books during that 337 hours including:
  • The Help
  • Unbreakable
  • Fountainhead
  • Atlas Shrugged
  • Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
  • Lynchpin
  • And more...

I had alot of time to think as well.  Here are a few thoughts:
  • Most drivers in Northern Colorado are VERY considerate of Cyclists.
  • The worst exception to this was a lady in a mini van with a jesus fish on the back who nearly ran me over and nearly caused an accident with another car (then pulled into the church at Crossroads Boulevard)
  • The few other times there was a rude driver - it was always a guy in a big pickup truck (Maybe I confused them)
  • It does get really cold and windy in the winter.  Coldest Day = -35 (yes NEGATIVE THIRTY FIVE)
  • I didn't wreck once
  • Most of the trash along the road is cheap beer (budweiser/coors) and McDonalds. - I guess there is a certain demographic for every brand.
  • Young Cows are Very Curious - Old Cows are not (I hope I never become an old cow)
  • I started a blog to document my ride.. and it didn't last long - This is my one regrethttp:biketoworkyear.blogspot.com
  • My wonderful wife Nicole was incredibly accomadating to this! 

I have decided to challenge mysefl annually.  Here are the rules
  1. It has to be something that I do alone (I don't need to infect anyone else with my madness)
  2. It has to be something that takes me outside of my comfort zone
  3. It has to be something that helps me grow

I will start/end these annual challenges on my birthday (September 14th).  So I have  about a week to figure out my next move.

Cheers
Matt Rickman - September 2011
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2-22-2011

I think if I stopped reading other blogs, I might do a better job of updating mine.  So.. here are a couple of blogs that have been distracting me lately:

http://tomsbiketrip.com/

http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/

I am in desperate need of updating my statistics over to the left, but fear not.. I have been riding, have close to 2000 miles since I started in Sept.  With much more knowledge, and experience I have alot to share... But until I stop being distracted....


... till next time
1 comment:

1-31-11 Ding Ding Ding Da Da Ding Ding

Yes, I am the fool on the road on a day like today biking to work.
Yes, on days like today, it sucks
Yes, I am going to keep doing it.

I thought this was appropriate (My Ride in this morning):





Till next time...

1 comment:

Absolutely Horrible

So I have been absolutely horrible at keeping up this blog. 

So blog resolution #1 for the new year.  Write more frequently.  In the past, I wanted to write daily, and to be quite honest... I just don't really have that much to say. So my goal is a weekly post. 

I have quite a few things stockpiled, however, to write about.  The winter weather has been interesting to say the least, and I also have some new gear to review. With that I will leave you anxiously awaiting the next post....

Till next time..
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