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
- It has to be something that I do alone (I don't need to infect anyone else with my madness)
- It has to be something that takes me outside of my comfort zone
- 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
