Full bicycle rack on campus
I see changes on this campus. People are commuting by bike a lot more than they have. A year ago, it would be rare to see this many bicycles on our campus. I applaud those who can and choose to do so.
So, bike riders, who are you? Why do you ride? How far do you travel? Tell us your story.
–Christine
cn3d
kickels
Jenn
ddolendi56
bhalberico
suefrankson
Christine-
415.7
This is the amount of miles that I have put on my bike since the first day of school this year. I live in Lombard and my commute is 5.75 miles each way. My ride takes me approximately 23 minutes for a one-way trip.
I am proud to say that I am one of the people that bikes to work every day regardless of weather or time of day. I ride in the sun. I ride in the rain. I ride in the wind. I ride in the morning. I ride on Tuesday evenings at 10pm when my night class ends. I ride because it’s one of the last means of exercise that I have and I simply don’t want to lose this wonderful experience.
Advantages of Biking to School:
1. Parking…are you kidding? I have rock-star parking daily.
2. Sight and Sounds – I have the opportunity to truly take in the changing seasons; the kids starting school; people sitting on porches waving to me as I pass by; high school and middle school sports teams holding practice; rain hitting my face, drenching my clothes…I feel like a kid again.
3. Daily exercise. I have lost 10 pounds since the beginning of school.
4. Arguments with people driving cars. You have to know me to know that this is something I truly enjoy.
5. Owning a sweet bike helmet and tighty-bike shorts.
Disadvantages:
1. Getting hit by cars. Yep, it’s happened twice. I was going straight, crossing Roosevelt, as the light turned green, I went straight, both cars thought they had the right of way, by turning right. I ended up both times on the hoods of the cars. After dragging my bike across the hood of both cars, I made my own statement…look out for bikes!
2. Waking up early to ride to work. I like sleepy time.
3. Riding in the dark regardless of how I illuminate myself and my bike. People just don’t see me.
4. Flat tires. Damn tires.
5. Needing to shower when I get to work, again it just takes little more time.
Anyway, I appreciate having an opportunity to share my story with you. Because of this experience I have decided to start blogging more often under the title, “Bike Tales.” So, Christine, thanks for making me think about this.
415.7 and counting….
Chris Miller.