5 Things I Learned Riding My Bike To Work
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

5 Things I learned After Riding My Bike To Work For A Month

It's healthy, it's rejuvenating, and it's terrifying.

73
5 Things I learned After Riding My Bike To Work For A Month

Let's be honest; whether or not you've ever considered riding your bike to work, you've easily heard of the pros and cons. It isn't all rainbows and sunshine (literally), but it can do things for your soul you never even knew you needed.

My body loves it.

Love it

Giphy

I've always had an athletically-inclined body and mind but after a solid month of riding to and from work on the ol' bicycle, I've noticed that I feel revitalized after every ride. Mind you, I only live about 3 miles from my workplace so the ride is only about 20 minutes each way but it is worth the extra time. About halfway through the ride, my heart starts pumping faster, my legs start burning and I start breathing harder. It's a bit of a rush, I highly recommend it. In comparison to driving to work in my car, I physically feel like I accomplished something upon arriving at work on my bike. My ride home from work at the end of the day is mostly uphill and you'd think I would dread it. Far from it, actually. I look forward to the challenge. Bonus: any frustration I encounter during the day at work I can take out on the pavement on the ride home. My personal record is arriving home 12 minutes after leaving work, it was a doozy of a day let me tell you.

I've learned things about my hometown I never knew.

Learning about the town

upload.wikimedia.org

It might sound unorthodox, but I've learned tidbits about my hometown (in which I've lived for 25 years) that I didn't know I needed to know! For example, there are 3 calves on one of the streets of my ride in a little field. They almost always watch me curiously as I pass by. One time, they even loped alongside me. It was comical and enlightening at the same time. How many times had I missed something so simple, yet so enjoyable, on my daily car ride to work? My guess is a couple of thousand opportunities had passed me by. I learned that my little hometown has a network of roads for me to utilize safely that have petite houses with white, picket fences, open green fields and other such little pleasures. I learned my arid hometown is indeed home to a great deal of beauty, I only had to take the couple of extra minutes a day to see it.

I've learned to look both ways.

Look Both Ways

Giphy

I can't say I've run into the particular situation in the gif above, but I have almost been flattened a couple times. I didn't realize how much people hate bicyclists until I turned into one. I've had engines revved at me, been flipped very charming hand signals, and been catcalled. I didn't even know that was still a thing! Bicycling even in a small town can be hazardous and I've learned that the city streets of my little home are far from quiet. The old adage "look both ways before crossing the street" applies quite heavily when riding a bike to work.

People see me in a different light.

Different Light

Giphy

It's weird but it's true. All of sudden I'm part of the elite cyclists cult who bike thousands of miles each year. Er, so people think. I almost fell over laughing the first time someone asked if I competed in cycling events. I had to stop myself from looking around and asking, "Who, me?" The fact is that I only wanted to get extra exercise and some sunlight, both of which are perks of riding a bike by the way. Eyebrows raise whenever I mention riding my bike to work, like I'm some sort of overachiever or elitist. I'm just a woman who wanted to try something new. Who knew it would shake the very earth on which I walk?

Life is too short to avoid things that scare you.

Life Too Short

Giphy

Believe it or not, I was a little nervous to start riding my bike to work. Sure, I knew the streets I was going to take, but I wasn't sure how others drivers, cyclists or people on the sidewalks would react to me. I wasn't 100% sure of where I was allowed to ride/not allowed to ride, etc. However, all the things that made me nervous proved to be moot points once I started riding. I realized that taking an extra ten minutes to get to work gave me time to mull over the problems in my life and pray for guidance through those issues. Most of the time, I found myself mumbling to God about this issue or that conundrum. The people I passed probably thought I was crazy, but it doesn't really matter. I discovered many beautiful things that I didn't know I was missing and I'm thankful for that. It really is important to stop and smell the roses every once in a while, take it from someone who's actually done it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

48645
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30941
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954786
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

179506
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments