Eighth Anniversary of Bicycle Commuting

[eminva]

Hello —

On this day, eight years ago, I began bicycle commuting. It began as a desperate response to a few really bad days on the Red Line (we lived in Takoma DC then) and a need to get some exercise with a small kid in the house and without a 25th or 26th hour in the day. A friend who was already bicycle commuting agreed to meet me and show me the way downtown by bike (thanks, Jen).

I can hardly put into words how much fun and happiness it has brought me in the years since. Thanks to all of you for all your help and guidance.

And, because I know some of you love data as much as I do, here are some numbers from these last eight years:

miles (first 12 months): didn’t keep track — probably under 1000
miles (most recent 12 months): 5525.35 (not all commuting)
bikes acquired with the intention that they would be the last commuter bike I would ever need: 5
cracked frames: 1
stolen bikes: 1
other stolen stuff: 1 bungee cord
reflective and light up thingies my father sent me when he found out I was bike commuting: 6
reflective and light up thingies on my bike now: 6
times I walked my bike up a hill: 4
runners who passed me while I was riding up a hill: 2
minor crashes: 2
major crashes: 0
ninjas mowed down: 0
middle school students who threw themselves in my path: 1
flat tires: 4
winter cycling jackets that ended up being expensive mistakes: 3
years of service for employer-branded fleece vest I got free at a conference: 8
kids hauled to school via Burley Piccolo: 1
strangest cargo load: 3 evergreen wreaths + ornaments
Bike to Work Days attended: 5
Bike Arlington branded items in my possession: 12
cars our household fleet has been reduced by: 1
money saved: $0 (it all went for bicycle-related stuff)

Liz

Topic

[eminva]

League Cycling Instructor.

Liz

[Certifried]

amazing! Congratulations, and here’s to another 8 years!

[jwfisher3]

@Greenbelt 33433 wrote:

Only 4 flats in 8 years? Dang, I need to lose some weight or something. Even with the superduperest tires I can find, I get 3 or 4 a year.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the delta on flats between the two of you may be due more to the routes taken, with broken glass, and other road flotsam and jetsam. I know that my flatting is in direct relation to how many broken MD20-20 bottles are lying about on the Douglass bridge.

[thecyclingeconomist]

Congratulations! A quick solute to you with my air-horn… and here’s to another 8!

Cheers! Safe cycling and God bless!

[Author]

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