Biking to Work

I start my ride on a down hill, luckily. Most mornings, it’s still a bit cool out and the breeze is refreshing. As I make my way to the trail that takes me to work, I watch the passing cars and think to myself, “Look at me, I’m biking to work!”

The city of Omaha kicked off the Bike Omaha Commuter Challenge on May 17th, encouraging more people to leave the car in the garage and commute to work actively, using a bike. I’d always thought the idea of biking to work sounded great, but how could I actually make it work? For some  good advice I turned to Activate Omaha’s cycling resources page.

Before my first bicycle commute, I planned. I checked out the roads and trails that I’d be taking to get to work, that way I would hopefully avoid any surprises. My first day of commuting I found myself breathing a little harder than I thought I should be and struggling to make it up the last hill before I reached the office. It never seemed that big in my car! Funny how biking makes you pay attention and notice your surroundings. Locking my bike up, and heading into the office with my helmet and backpack, I felt proud. I was excited to have set a goal and to have reached it! It’s not possible for me to bike to work everyday, but I try to go at least once a week, sometimes more, and unfortunately, sometimes less. I ride when I can and plan to continue riding to work even after the challenge ends in August.

I’ve found that one of the best parts of commuting to work on a bicycle is that I’m getting exercise with a purpose. So often I put off exercising because it is an “extra thing to do.” Since I have to get to work one way or another, why not also get my physical activity in for the day too!? This way, I have eliminated my excuse to skip my exercise.

Another great part about biking to work is that it makes me feel free. I get to feel the air flow by me, sun on my skin, and my muscles working. Hands down, that is way better than sitting in my car at a stop light.

Biking has extended beyond commuting to work. My husband and I have also started riding together.  The picture above was taken on one of our evening rides on a trail in Papillion.  Although I’d driven by this path many times, I didn’t notice the flowers until I was on my bike.