Why?

I want to do something positive to help the environment, improve my health, and maybe even encourage others to try something similar.

Thank you for your moral support.

~Karen

Running Tally

Year to Date:

236 Bike Miles Ridden
37 Car Miles Used
1971 Car Miles Left

Sunrise at 22nd and Harrison:

Week One Stats

Car Miles: 12
Bike Miles: 95
Banked Miles: 26

Soooooo Much Fun!

Just did some nighttime grocery shopping at Safeway. Was able to carry a dozen eggs, two boxes of brownie mix, and a big bottle of Crisco oil in my trunk. I defnitely need panniers!

Logistics

I've figured out a few things and have started preparing accordingly:

2010 Miles a Year = 5.5 miles a day, 38.5 miles a week, and 167.5 miles per month

Close-to-home chores: A round trip to the grocery store is only 1.1 miles, so I don't have to worry about trying to carry bundles on my bike...it's totally worth the drive, at least once a week. It's super easy to ride to the bank and to Circle K to do little chores.

Equipment: It's going to be dark when I go to work and when I come home, so I bought a totally awesome light for my bike. There are thorns throughout Fantasy Island, so I also got an easy-to-use pump and tire liners.

Odometer

Here it is on the morning of January 1, 2010, my odometer:

Commute to/from Work Baseline Ride

I think I found the best route to and from work:

1. South on Harrison from Broadway until it ends at Fantasy Island* (4 miles)
2. Cut through Fantasy Island to Valencia (3 miles)
3. From Valencia, head South on Nexus and take Rita Road all the way to the plant site (4 miles)

*Fantasy Island is a mountain biker's haven, lots of trails. Of course, this means riding on dirt, which in turn means using a heavier, slower bike, but it will keep me off of the more dangerous and congested roads of the city (i.e., Broadway and Kolb).

Below are two pictures showing the ride through awesome Fantasy Island. The picture of the elevation profile shows the entire ride from my house to work and back. The ride is easy, safe, and relatively flat.