The First Step

Today is a big day. March 8, 2010. Probably the biggest day in my professional life; the day I got the ball rolling. Or, if you're into wordplay, got the wheels rolling.

For those of you who don't know, I'm a very serious commuter cyclist. I never thought that until I started meeting other commuters who rode when it was nice out, rode when it was under 5 miles, or rode 3 days a week. For me, it was an all-or-nothing type thing. When I switched to commuting by bike, I did so wholeheartedly. 7 days a week, everywhere I went, rain or shine. I started dating a girl in a different city than me some 25 miles away? Better get the legs up to speed. Got a new job that moved my workplace from 3 miles away to 18? Set the alarm an hour earlier. And with the exception of this winter in Crested Butte (snow and ice have foiled my plans to be a truly green commuter, but I still walk or talk the bus instead of driving), I have lived this lifestyle for the last 18 months. I've driven my car (discounting the drive across the country) less than 2 dozen times in that time period. And I love it. Commuter cycling has changed my life, my attitude, and my outlook. It's a lifestyle that I recommend to anyone. If you're not in the best shape of your life, start slow. Ride a few days a week instead of driving. Build up to the big days. Pick a date 6 months from now and promise yourself you'll be riding to work 5 days a week by then. Make it your own. You'll thank yourself; I promise you that.

Today I put my money where my mouth is ($104.78 to be exact), and purchased the rights to own and operate takeyourbike.org. This website is to be the web domain of my still-in-the-works nonprofit organization, Take Your Bike, which I am using to promote commuter cycling as a viable and rewarding lifestyle. There is a lot to this - and all will be revealed in due time. But for now, share the excitement with me on this basic level: today I put something into the world that isn't about me. Or even people I know. And that means a lot to me, to be actively making strides toward creating a better world for no other reason than that.

Next time you have to run out, leave the car. Take your bike.