Moving to Little Rock was very intimidating to me. Despite having cycled for decades in LA, San Diego and other places, the narrow edges of the highway, steep hills and rough pavement gave me serious pause when I moved here.
But now, 11 months later, I find there has been a bit of a renaissance in my riding. Not that I ride more. My last commute was 5 times as long. But it was on flat wide shoulders with gentle gradients at worst.
But the more difficult riding here has forced me to be a better rider. Because of the hills, doing 30-35 in traffic is a necessity, not an impossibility. I have to be sharper and more aware of my surroundings.
Socially too, I'm more open to cycling. I'm not much of a group rider, but have really enjoyed discovering bicycle advocacy groups for companionship. The facilities here need help.
2005 was a very interesting year bicycling wise. I'm wondering how 2006 will be.