Of how fun cycling is!!

I'm new to this world that is called cycling (Last time I rode a bike was 15 years ago in middle school). Here's my story:

I've kept driving to an absolute minimum, combining commuting and errands as much as I could. I took buses on weekends when the trip was short enough and the hours were accomodating. However, on Monday morning, April 28th, on my way to work, I filled my gas tank at $4.09 a gallon. After that initial shock, I thought to myself right then and there "F- this, I'm getting a bike". So I do a little research, decided all I need a a good quality commuting bike to get me through a 12 mile round trip commute, as well as cruise around the bike paths on weekends. When it needs maintenance that I can't handle, I'll just take it to a bike shop. Besides, I could use the exercise. On May 4th, I hop into REI, and rode out with a new Forza.

Little did I know, that 12 mile commute would open a door to something new. I didn't think I'd actually have fun riding. On the first day, it took 45 minutes to ride to work (yeah I was that out of shape). Now, about a month later, it takes me 30 minutes! Only 5 minutes longer than it would take for me to drive!

Now I'm really getting into this world that I ignored, since no one I knew does it. Now I have the urge to find an old frame and build my own road bike for training and long weekend rides. I came accross cyclocross vids and downhill mountain biking, and I say to myself "God, THAT HAS to be the most crazy fun S- to do outside of snowsports!" I love to snowboard, btw. And it's hard to find time (and of course money) to do that when living in So Cal. So I'm no stranger to speeding downhill. I'm determined to get into those sports in the near future.

Unfortunately, it took the $4.00 a gallon mark to discover this little jewel you people have been hiding for so long. I think your more vocal peers have been hiding it behind the ever so visible Shroud of Environmental Friendliness. How DARE you use them to conceal the pure awesomness that is riding a bike!

Just thought I'd share my newfound enthusiasm with you guys.

For the record, I'm back to commuting even after having my leg shattered by getting hit by a Buick Rainier SUV at 40 mph last fall.

THAT's how much I love riding!

and you can EASILY ride year round in LA, i'm jealous.

Well atleast you made the leap......

I've had the same experience. I've ridden bike recreationally for a long time, but not seriously. Starting bike commuting last month. It is now my religion. It is my sport. I love bike commuting. Even in our 100 degree texas heat I love my 7.5 mile ride home, and the ride going in to work puts a smile on my face.

I don't know if it's really a "secret"... instead of blaming us for holding out, maybe you should be kicking yourself for taking so long to figure out what some of us have known for years.

And...

That's awesome.

I feel the same way. It's soooo fun. I did my first grocery shoppin via bike last night. You should have seen the looks on the workers faces. Lol. I had a water melon, cereal, canned vegetables, drinks, fish, apple sauce. Lol. They watched me load it into my panniers and ride away in shock. I know they were thinking..How is she going to get all that onto a bike? Not to mention it was 10:30PM. lol

haha yeah, I do wish i picked up cycling earlier. The best time would have been in college, but I've always elected to walk to class from my apartment. At least now, I have a new hobby to learn.

Shhhhhhhhh! You figured it out. So welcome. But don't tell everybody, then they will want to do it too.

welcome to the light side.

Where in Los Angeles are you?
Welcome to the club!

Awesome, I am just discovering it myself. You are doing well! 12 miles in 30ish minutes! I do 8 in 30 and I am pretty happy....

I'm in West LA

It's actually 6 miles in 30. I wish I can do 12, but I'm gonna be working on it

Welcome to the commuting community. Good thing you haven't found out our other secrets.

Just think what LA would be like if the majority caught on to the secret!

He said 12 mile round trip. If he was doing 12 miles in 30 minutes it would have to be a 24 mph average speed.

I am doing 7.20miles in about 33 minutes. I know I can cut that down. I am working at it. A lot of factors. Mainly being overweight. Lol! Gained 20 pounds since working at my new job. Yuck yuck yuck! But, this is just my 3rd day commuting to work. I've been riding my bike doing local errands for about 4 weeks though.

Another one takes the Red Pill.

yeah, after having lived in michigan for the past 29 years, THAT part of the move to LA really made me happy.

to the OP: i ride from hermosa beach to torrance about 80% of my week. where are you?

i like to do this at the pet store with a 25lb bag of dog food in one pannier and a 15lb bag of cat food in the other.

Oh, it'll open the door to something new alright. You'll realize $4 a gallon gas ain't really that bad when you've amassed 4 or 5 bikes and a couple of storage boxes full of accessories.

It's not a secret. You just forgot what every kid knows.

^^^^I like the reference^^^^

Great post!

I'm at west la. I grew up in torrance, and hermosa/manhatten beach/redondo beach were my old romping grounds

From the various posts and pics i've seen regarding that situation, i look forward to it! i'd rather have my money go directly to what i enjoy doing, rather than having it burn away sitting in traffic.

Self re-discovery is a humbling yet exciting experience.

I agree, now I remember why I was so excited to get a bike for xmas!
...tomorrow I don't even have to go to work and I want to go for a ride, its only my second day commuting but it always puts a smile on my face once I am done and people at work (I am a personal trainer) see me come in all sweaty! lol
hooray

I have been commuting for about a month now. I really enjoy it, I was filling up my diesel truck ever 10 days, but now I am down to about once a month (I use the truck to run errands for work), otherwise I would fill up like every two months! I drive about 15 miles a week and ride about 85-100 miles.