The four literal steps to motivation:

I almost didn't ride today (Friday). It was still super windy yesterday so I did the indoor bike again, but this morning was 32F, clear and calm, but with afternoon winds expected. I was unexpectedly fatigued yesterday afternoon, even though I drove to work and I was afraid that I would be slogging home against the wind and possibly more fatigue today.

But yesterday at work they officially re-opened the lower back door by my office, meaning I wouldn't have to use the main entrance, then carry my bike down a flight of stairs, and then back up at the end of the day. And those four, newly re-poured concrete steps at the back door were the motivation to ride.

I chose to ride the '84 Nishiki 12-speed and the longer, 8-mile MUP route. Using those trails the biggest, steepest hill comes just two blocks from the house. Halfway up I regretted riding at all as I still felt some fatique in my legs...and then it was gone! Strength and vigor welled up in me as I crested the top and began the descent to the Rock Island trail. I joined it 50 yards from the Circle Drive underpass which has suffered from chronic flooding since opening 20+ years ago. It looked clear, but as my eyes adjusted to the dark I saw water and ice on the far end. I turned around and exited the other end. It was only 20 yards to reach the switch back that would take me up the the surface street crossing, but it looked like I could hustle up the packed dirt of the 20-foot embankment. Except it wasn't packed it was loose. Before I knew what I was doing, adrenaline took over and I found I had already dismounted and was charging up the embankment half-carrying my bike by the seat post and head tube feet slipping in the loose dirt cyclo-cross style!

As I reached the sidewalk the traffic light had just turned in my favor and I continued my charge executing a running mount thankfully remembering to look back to make sure no cars were in the left turn lane. I hit the far side of the street and flew onto the traffic-free safety of the MUP. I'm 63 and I cannot remember the last time I did a running mount or ran up a hill with a bike...certainly not since high-school.

Around the next corner I encountered 15-20 members of a high school or college track team taking up the whole path. I squeezed right, slowed and honked my AIrZound airhorn. They squeezed left...they were a female team and a few waved, giggled and shouted "hi!"...probably high-school.

The adrenaline seemed to subside, but I still felt strength in my legs, however I slowed to a more moderate pace, not wanting to tempt fate and fatigue. The rest of the ride in was pleasant with a few other cyclists, joggers, walkers, and as I got closer to downtown, homeless people stumbling down the trail into the new day.

By the college there was a rough looking guy on the left side of the trail kicking cans and rocks across to the right side. I honked a couple of times, but he persisted. I slowed and prepared to stop, but he finally stopped at the last moment.

For the last two months, the last three underpasses before work have been clear of urban campers and their belongings which have been blocking the trails. I know the city of Colorado Springs has doubled the size of its Homeless Outreach Team, and if they are responsible for the clearer trails I appreciate it but hope they have been gentle about it.

And then I rode past the main entrance at work, through the security gate and down to the re-opened rear door. The new concrete steps have a weird spacing and slope to them...well the second step from the bottom. I noticed it yesterday and again today, but not when walking the bike up or back down on the way home.

On the plus side I no longer have to carry my bikes up and down the full flight of stairs inside the building. On the minus side, I don't get to parade my 63-year-old legs and 42-year old Nishiki past my 20- and 30-something cager co-workers.

The afternoon wind didn't materialize, and being the end of the work week and still light thanks to daylight savings I headed home. I usually take the same route home that I chose for the ride in and the MUP to MUP trail with its newly paved sections and still-new section connecting the two trails was just wonderful.

The Circle Drive underpass was still flooded and two cyclists holding clipboards nearby waved me down. One was my age, the other was a high school student who picked as his class project a survey and petition to have the underpass fixed in regard to the chronic flooding.

I lent my voice to naming an underpass repair as a needed project but it would only be the icing on the cake. In the 32 years I have been bike commuting in Colorado Springs the growth and upgrades of the cycling infrastructure have been many and amazing. Back in 1992 the Rock Island Trail and Greenway trails were just a patchwork of gravel and crumbling alleyways. The few bike lanes from the 1970's Bike centennial had been fading and erased. And then came the new stripings, the double-wide sidewalks and MUPS, the improved crossings with quick action crossing lights, the underpasses, the connections, and even a few protected downtown bike lanes which I don't like (a rant for a different time) but I appreciate the city's commitment.

I know this is too long, but I woke up an hour after getting to bed and today's commute was on my mind.

I feel so fortunate to be able to bike to work most days, especially at my age.