I Biked, Walked and Scootered Yesterday
Heading from my new loft to the convention center 8 blocks west yesterday for the Missouri section of the American Planning Association conference I managed to make a trip on foot, one on bike and another on scooter. The joys of multi-modal living choices!
The scootering, of course, was the easiest as it requires no effort and the weather was quite pleasant.
Walking was actually the second easiest. It took less than 20 minutes at a comfortable pace. I’m out of shape and substantially overweight so walking — and lots of it — is on my agenda.
Bicycling, on the other hand, was a chore. The only one of my bicycles I have downtown now is my rather cool looking single speed bike, a bike that weighs in at 50lbs! Add my weight and you can imagine the challenge of pedaling all that around. Granted, it had been over two years since I had really bicycled anywhere so it felt good to be on the bike. Plus those bike helmets are feather light compared to a motorcycle helmet.
Although the YMCA is across the street I’m really not a gym kinda person. I prefer my exercise outdoors — more naturally. Hence the walking and bicycling.  Well, time to hit the sidewalk and walk back down to the conference for the final day.
Another bipedian hits the sidewalk. Good man!
New crib, new attitude? Stay outspokin’ and healthy. Keep writing, there is so much more to reveal and discuss.
Keep riding.
Hybrid bikes these days are considerably lighter, relatively inexpensive and will last for a long time.
Also, purchasing an indoor trainer for your hybrid will help you shed pounds and improve your overall health during those
colder winter months.
I’m also not into working out indoors. Problem is, far too many days are spoiled by snow, rain, excessive heat and cold, so indoor exercise ends up being a necessary evil for maintaining a consistent, healthy routine. As anyone over 30 knows, you lose your conditioning a whole lot more quickly than you gain it – and with no effort at all. As boring as an exercise bike seems, it beats starting at the bottom of the fitness ladder every month or two.
One word of caution should you elect to purchase your own fitness equipment instead of using a gym: Go for quality. A cheap exercise bike is nothing more than a clumsy clothing rack. You can get better stuff on Craig’s List if you shop carefully – we purchased a gym quality exercise bike, elliptical, and treadmill, for a grand total of less than $500. And if I can ever kick this flu bug, I’m back on ’em.
Live within your means and within your seams! I am a member of the “World Gym” too! I walk and bike whenever I can!
Keep Cycling!
bikes are great. Americans top the list on energy use world wide. Riding bikes and walking would reduce our energy use and reduce us storing energy (cellulite) in our butts, bellies, thighs, and necks.
Walking to and from MetroLink, plus another 45 minute walk with my wife each day gets me to about 10,000 steps each day. It’s a great way to stay in shape, really incorporating walking into ones normal routine. I do want to pick up a bike at some point just to add some variety to my exercise. Cool bike, by the way. I meant to ask you about it Thursday.
Steve…don’t give up the scooter!!!