I have always harbored an interest for endurance sports such as running, cycling, triathlons. Naturally, I've always had a bike and rode recreationally quite a bit while in college for pseudo sport/exercise. I abandoned this for awhile so I could grow fat and lazy

I live in an area with many cyclists and the sleek road bikes always catch my eye. I don't know exactly why, but I guess I grew tired of being lazy and when I could resist no longer, I purchased a nice road bike and decided to start riding to work occasionally. I outfit myself with all-weather gear and panniers and set to it. It was downhill/flat the entire way in, so I figured I wouldn't have to exert myself much until after work. And I was right. . . that last hill was murder going home!

I rode when I felt like it - sometimes once a week, sometimes twice, somtimes none. I sometimes made longer rides on weekends. Then I moved residence to a place twice the distance (well, 7 miles to 12 miles - now including two hill climbs each way, from none on the way in, and one on the way back) from work and abandoned the cycle commuting.

But on the new route to work, I noticed "cycle chick" coming the opposite direction every single, flippin' day. She was tall, blond and spun like mad up the hills. I saw her at various places along my route to/from work and surmised that she was travelling at least (if not more) the distance I would have to go. I also saw her in every version of weather this region has to offer. She was relentless. She was an inspiration.

I resumed cycle-commuting one way for several times a week, then two-way trips, then every day. And I actually still see "cycle chick" from time to time. . . and she waves at me now.