Seven years
ago when my wife
and I were
looking to move, one of my criteria was
to live in an area that was bike
friendly so I could ride to work every
day.
After visiting Keene a couple of times it met
all our requirements including the bike
riding.
Moving to Keene in 2001 I began to achieve my dream of riding to work. It
took a couple of years to get into the daily habit, but I now ride to work 5
days a week, almost year round.
If the
temperature gets below 15 degrees and/or there
is an inch or more of snow, or ice on the roads
I don't ride.
Other than that I do it every morning and every
evening.
In the morning it gets the blood flowing
and in the evening it is my wind down time. The
one
way distance is 5 miles which is just the right
distance.
The timeframe is 15-30 minutes which is
a function of mostly the weather. I have found
that I
go a lot faster when it is 80 degrees versus 15 degrees. I guess my body is
working harder to keep warm in the colder
temperatures.
I live on the west side of Keene
and working at Markem-Imaje my entire trip is
pretty flat.
Although this does not help my mountain climbing skills, it is beneficial on
those days when I am a tired or a bit under the
weather.
I have clothes for all seasons and use
the layering method. Fortunate for me
Markem-Imaje has a
Wellness Center so each morning I pack saddle bags with my work clothes and
get ready for work at the Wellness Center after
a short workout.
It has had great health
benefits. My latest physical shows my heart
rate, cholesterol,
and bone mass all in good shape. It also has great benefits at the gasoline
pump. Actually I don't know the last time I went to the gas pump. What gas
crisis?!?
Finally, I find Keene a relatively friendly bike town. Most automobile
drivers are very courteous, the trail system is very good, and I know several
other
folks who ride to work as well so it makes for great conversation at the water
cooler.
So if you want to get in shape, save some
gas money, and have some quiet time each
day, get on a bike and do the daily
ride.