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