Today I rode the bike into work, much as I do during any week in the year. Now being that my works hours have changed, I have had to 'adjust" my commute. I now leave the house about 2 hours later than I used to. This poses a problem in that traffic is now much more of a problem than it was when I left the house at 5am. If I thought the drivers were bad in the early morning, they are worse during a commute.

   But I digress.. When I get to the office someone will usually ask me why I ride in to work when I can just take MARTA. Well of course I bring up my weight loss and my triathlete training and all and they seem to accept it. But today, while riding my bike, I contemplated that question. Maybe because the traffic was lighter, or the temperature was not so cold.. really don't know. I think cycling is something I need to do. I'd say it's an addiction, but that sounds so negative. But if somebody made me try to stop cycling, things could get ugly.
 
  Here is a list I compiled of why I like to ride my bike and thought I would share it with you..

1.     Cycling is fun. I mean it brings back childhood memories and a reminds me of a time when my life was less stressful. And think about it, most cyclists seem to have a smile on their face when riding.

2.     Cycling is an opportunity to "explore" another world. Ever go somewhere that you have been to before and notice something you never saw before? Happens to me all the time when i am riding. I see the world at a much slower pace and thus I am slowly seeing the world. Business I never knew existed, parks that I never saw before. Animals within the city living among us. Very eye opening to say the least.

3.     Cycling is healthy. I think my weight loss story is a testament to that. After all, how many 52 years old do you know run 25+ miles a week? or ride a bike for 60+ miles a week.

4.     Cycling is economical. I do not have to worry about the price of gas. The money I am saving my riding my bike is not only measured in by the reduction of fuel related costs for the car, but also a reduction on the wear and tear and maintenance of a car. And because I am much healthier, my yearly medical cost have dropped considerably.

5.     Cycling is environmentally sound. No greenhouse effect because of me riding my bike. My bike has zero emissions. No recycling issues with parts on a bike, it is all recyclable.

   I like how I feel when I'm riding my bike. Cycling is an exercise I enjoy. When I was a kid, I hated gym class. I was a total klutz. Not only was I always the last one picked when choosing team members, but the team that didn't get stuck with me laughed and jeered at my team for their misfortune. "Ha ha! You got stuck with him!" I simply wasn't any good at most sports, and my classmates' jeering ensured that I would view exercise as torture. 

  I did actually walk everywhere I went as a kid (schools actually used to be in the neighborhood, not a bus ride away), and I did actually enjoy having time alone with my thoughts, but I didn't even think of that as exercise at the time. I rode my bike occasionally (and schools had plenty of bike racks in front of them), and I enjoyed it, but I didn't really think of that as exercise at the time either. Exercise was defined as what we did in gym class. And for me that was being tortured.

  Now when I ride my bike every day, my body feels better, and my mind feels better. I never would have guessed it, but it's true. I ride a bike because I need to ride a bike. Riding my bike makes me feel good.

The advantages? Exercise, no parking problems, gas prices, it's fun. An automobile is expensive. You have to find a place to park and it's not fun. So why not ride a bicycle? I recommend it.
-Stephen G. Breyer, U.S. Supreme Court Justice when ask why he rides a bike. 

 Excuse me while I kiss the sky...