I have biked to and from work on and off for the past 8 years since a DUI detour some years ago. Cycling has proven to be the bedrock of my fitness model. Eight plus miles (currently 11.5) both ways is the foundation of my daily fitness choice. It is not efficient or practical all the time to drive to run (“run”?) errands when cycling is so much more agile and dextrous in traversing the (usually crunched up) city grid and provides more fresh air, scenery, and off-beat pathways than the conformity of the perpendicular bumper-to-bumper. Cycling is a continuous, low-impact aerobic exercise so elementary in form and function that it forms the holy triumvirate of athletics alongside running and swimming.
As the expression goes, it’s like “riding a bike”, so youthful and liberating, availing its rider to many more fantastic sites and experiences. Atop my aluminum steed I have been beholden to unimaginable Arizona sunsets and privileged to witness eclipses that I am certain I would have been unaware of had I been contained inside a steel box. I have also formed a relationship with the ever-changing climes of this hot, dry and dusty Southwestern town, contending with 110+ degrees on summer afternoons, unforgiving morning wind-chill, and I have also been known to plunge headlong into a monsoonal monster- I’ve often enjoyed a good hosing.
I now have seven bikes- four that function- and have taken up the collecting of bikes of various design (e.g. mountain, road, cruiser) because I am convinced of their supremacy (in partnership with the modern urbanization of light-railing and free local transportation initiatives) in conveying a busy populous. So, I will say it here, if there is one thing you need to invest in for a health-conscious (and environmentally responsible) lifestyle, it’s a bike. THEN, it becomes a moral imperative to choose your self-power over the gas-powered motor for the basis of day-to-day transit and leisure.
This is the route I take to and from work. From Guadalupe and College to 64th and Camelback and right back down is my daily double and amounts a 23.4 mile round trip.
STREET MAP
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8_NdSDyzo_ZRV8zNUlRdUd4d3c/edit?usp=drivesdk
And for the data crunchers: Created by Google My Tracks on Android
Name: calm mute home from work
Activity type: biking
Total distance: 18.71 km (11.6 mi)
Total time: 48:37
Moving time: 48:37
Average speed: 23.09 km/h (14.3 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 23.09 km/h (14.3 mi/h)
Max speed: 44.10 km/h (27.4 mi/h)
Average pace: 2:36 min/km (4:11 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 2:36 min/km (4:11 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 1:22 min/km (2:11 min/mi)
Max elevation: 365 m (1197 ft)
Min elevation: 317 m (1040 ft)
Elevation gain: 168 m (551 ft)
Max grade: 8 %
Min grade: -11 %
Recorded: 1/7/2015 10:03 PM
AND!.. also this, up and back, if your enjoying the ride 🙂
Grass Is Greener Fitness 