for errands by bike

I had some packages to mail this morning, so I rode my bike to the post office, about a 6 mile round trip. I could have driven, but the weather was nice and I had the time, so I rode instead. Our town is pretty ideal for bike riding (from October to April, at least). The roads are flat and set on a grid. There are canal paths and wide bike lanes. And it hardly ever rains. I feel really lucky to be able to run most of my errands by bike. I am thankful to have the flexibility, time, and health to allow it. There is something really peaceful about riding my bike instead of driving. It feels more deliberate. And I like to feel the wind on my face and to hear it rush past my ears. I always come home with a smile on my face when I've been on my bike.

for bike rides

Elliot stayed up too late last night and was having a hard time this afternoon. So we fixed his bike (it needed a new tube) and went on a bike ride together. The weather was perfect, and one on one time was just what we both needed. He gets really chatty when we go on bike rides, and I am thankful for the nice visit we had together.

a habit shift

We spent yesterday cleaning out our garage and shed. Why we chose to do that when it was 107 degrees outside, I don't know. But when the urge to purge hits, you have to follow through. That's what I've learned, anyway.

Our goal was to make room in the garage for our bikes. Because all of a sudden it feels like we have a million bikes!

Another thing I love about Mike is that when he decides to do something, HE DOES IT. An example: We have decided that if possible, we will ride our bikes instead of driving our car. Luckily we live where it is very flat (it's not called Mesa for nothing), and most of our life happens within a very small radius of our home. This is something I happily support. But Mike didn't stop there. No, he went above and beyond, like he always does, and found us electric bikes!

Oh man, they are a major game changer. Once you start pedaling, the little electric motor kicks in to assist. Every bike ride becomes a leisurely bike ride, even though you are zooming down the road. (Since our children don't have electric bikes, we kept our old bikes for family bike rides. Thus, the million bikes now crowding our garage.) The electric bikes make his commute to work and school, date night, and trips to the store so much more fun.

Sometimes it is hard to shift our habits. It takes effort to think about jumping on my bike to run an errand instead of jumping in the car. It takes some planning, too. That quick trip to the store might not happen, but maybe that's ok? Maybe it can wait. And sometimes habit shifts require going against the norm a little bit. My gut tells me that this shift is a good one, odd as it may seem to others. I've noticed that when I get home from a trip on my bike, I am happy. There is something light and peaceful and quiet about it. I am glad that Mike pushed it, and that it fits into our life easily.

(We got Juiced bikes and love them.)