February 28th 2009 marked the beginning of Lent. Though I'm not Catholic or Orthodox, I think fasting is one of the better traditions of any religion, and I gave up cars for that particular Lent.

I began on my old $40 NYC thrift store 1981 Panasonic to the train, with a long walk through a tough neighborhood from the train station to my job. Rode it, worn tires and all in a March 1st snowstorm.

I graduated to a 16" folder which shortened the second leg. A 26" folder got my 6'4" frame a little more comfortable on the ride, and a bit faster.

I Started picking up the kids at preshcool one rail stop early and hopping on the city bus home. Later, one child started Kindergarten one town further out, necessitating a 7 mile ride home with the 3 year old in a bike seat, in order to be able to meet the other coming home on the bus.

By December '09, I was in shape enough to skip the train and ride in, going 16+ serious urban miles one way in under an hour (on the old panasonic) The next day, black ice (and a broken elbow diagnosed a week later-- after riding in for my x-rays and on to work!) slowed me down for a few weeks. I was on the bike right away, especially after the studded tires came in.

One of the best things I've ever done for myself, and much of the credit goes to this fine community and all the helpful folks and the vast store of information, consensus, and debate.

I celebrated this weekend in the LL Bean outlet shelling out sixty bucks for my first bike-specific clothing-- two Craft teflon "Courier" shells on clearance. Go me!