Friday, March 26, 2010

It's only the beginning.

There is a very real possibility that I am crazy. I don't ride bikes regularly, I haven't even touched a bike since I moved my mountain bike (which has never touched a tire tread to a mountain) from my old garage to my new one. Why would I want to start riding a bike to work? Who knows? Certainly not me.

It could be because everyday I listen to the same radio station in my over sized SUV. Everyday, I pass the same people, in the same cars as they barely stay awake on their drive to work. I love being run off the road by someone who is smoking, talking on their phone and drinking coffee at the same time as much as the next person but wouldn't it be more fun if that person ran me off the road, while I was on a bicycle?

I better buy a helmet.

I have started my adventure from the absolute bottom. The twenty miles each way will be quite a feat if I can achieve it. The goal is from Pittsburgh to around the Pittsburgh International Airport corridor. I don't have the right bike but as I have found, people that ride bikes are friendly. Bike-Pgh.org has been extremely helpful, as was a local Trek bike shop. With all that friendliness going around, I should be receiving some very good advice.

I would like it if I could incorporate more activities into my lifestyle and what better way than to knock out some exercise by getting to work? The issue that I am most worried about is busy roads. Pittsburgh, while bustling is not the most bike friendly city. That's not to say it can't be, it's just not there yet.

I also hope this adventure helps me to understand people that ride bikes a little better. When I see someone riding a bike on the road, I get nervous. I try not to run them over (100% success so far) but I can't help but think that they look cool with their brightly colored jackets.

I may have to buy a jacket.