One year ago today I had an epiphany. After more than a decade of career-induced stress and physical inactivity, I had grown concerned about my health. I got a blood pressure monitor, checked my BP, and found it to be 160/110. Resting pulse was about 80. With concern turned to alarm, I got out my wife's old touring bike and began riding. Early rides were about half an hour at 13-14 mph.

It's now exactly one year, two bikes, and 4447 miles later. My resting pulse is 60, and my blood pressure, measured last night, is 112/78. 20-mph rides are now not just possible, they're fun. And my weight is down twenty pounds, to exactly what it was when I was 18 years old. Cycling is many things for me now... a competitive sport, a hobby, something I can do with my family, and a bit of an obsession. But above all, it's a life-saver. This stuff really works, folks. But then, you already knew that.

Ride on...