30 Days of Biking Week 1 (April 1 to April 7)
April 1
Trip 1: Preschool drop-offMiles roundtrip: 7
Cargo: 45-pound child and his backpack
Weather: 30°F, sunny
Trip 2: Grocery shopping
Miles roundtrip: 5
Cargo: potted plants and eggs in front basket, groceries in panniers
Weather: 45°F, sunny
Trip 3: Out with work friends
Miles roundtrip: 4
Cargo: none
Weather: 40°F, sunset/night
Comments: It was totally awesome to be out there today. I think I got a little color in my cheeks from all the sunshine! Cold in the morning, but by the time I rode home from preschool drop-off I was warm all over. Tired at the end of the night out. Felt fantastic.
April 2
Trip 1: Morning work commute (with five-year-old son coming in to the office)
Miles: 4.4Cargo: 45-pound child, my laptop bag
Weather: 40°F, cloudy
Trip 2: Evening work commute (with child)
Miles: 4.4Cargo: 45-pound child, my laptop bag
Weather: 55°F, sunny
Comments: I love riding with my son to work. He points out the sights and we have fantastic shared experiences on our route. At the end of the day, we doffed our coats and enjoyed the spring air on our faces as we flew home downhill most of the way!
April 3
Miles roundtrip: 0.25
Cargo: none
Weather: 50°F, drizzle
Comments: What surprised me about today's ride was that just a few times riding up and down the block (in the rain!) felt really great. I did it because I pledged to ride every day that I could in April, and the 30 Days site says a joyride around the block counts. I took the day off (Passover starts tonight!) and we were going to be in the car a lot driving to family gatherings, so a breath of fresh air really did count in my book. I felt relaxed and happy afterwords, and regretted all those days that I made excuses about why I couldn't get on my bike or even outside for a short walk. I also saw some shoots poking up out of the dead leaves!
April 4
Trip: Grape-juice run for the seder
Miles roundtrip: 1.6
Cargo: grape juice, etc. :)
Weather: 60°F, sunny, windy
April 5
Skipped. Exhausted from all the Passover socializing and traveling, plus had to travel again today for Easter. Felt bad about skipping — I could have brought the Brompton to the relatives' and taken a spin around the block. Probably would have helped my mood at that point, too!April 6
Trip 1: Preschool drop off
Miles: 3.5Cargo: 45-pound child, my laptop bag
Weather: 32°F, partly cloudy
Miles: 7
Cargo: my laptop bag
Weather: 40°F, mix of sun and clouds
Trip 3: Evening work commute
Miles: 4.4
Cargo: my laptop bag
Weather: 50°F, mix of sun and clouds
April 7
Trip: Preschool drop-offMiles roundtrip: 7
Cargo: 45-pound child and his backpack
Weather: 40°F, cloudy
Comments: After a week of biking (OK, really five days of biking), I feel like I've been a shlub all winter. My legs resemble jello and concrete mixed together. I'm out of breath and tired. But, do I regret it? No! I am building up my endurance and strength, and I am sleeping really well. The weather has been nice, not too cold or rainy, and my kids and I have been psyched to get outside again. Biking to work and on errands is fun, helps me fit in exercise, and conserves fossil fuels. I know it's a drop in the bucket, but if I can do it, most people can. The 30 Days of Biking pledge is an inspiring goal.
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