Bicycling Year Round?

For the last several summers I've been fairly consistent and pull the old bike out and skip the bus part of my commute. Instead biking along the beautiful bike path, and a little bit of busy streets, to get to the subway. 

For about two weeks I had to forgo the bike and take the bus because my bike was needing some help. My rear tire wouldn't stay inflated. I'd be fine in the morning but come evening I would be limping along on a flat tire. Even joggers would pass me. 

On my hiatus from my bike I noticed that not only did I miss the ride but I was less healthy on two fronts. Frankly it's the most exercise I get each day. So without it all I had was walking and some stairs at work. 

But more importantly it was the mental. This summer I stopped listening to podcasts while biking and enjoyed the time with my thoughts and enjoying the beautiful scenery. It's a really pretty path and well used but not too crowded. Good people watching. 

Well, I got my bike back and O...M...G.  I had asked to fix the tire situation and figured I'd get a tune up while I was at it. Having not ever had one. I got back a new bike!  Turns out the tire was fine. The air pressure was low. They fixed things I'd forgotten needed fixing like my squeaky handlebars and fixed things I don't even know about. 

My ride is so much easier and yet I think I get a better work out. My theory was that even if things were sluggish it offered more resistance so more work out. Apparently not. 

My first day back on the path I was flying. Not only was I passing all the joggers I even passed some cyclists too. 

I should have gotten the tune up ages ago but am glad it's now. Because Labor Day is about when I switch back. It's dark biking back, it's colder and the lightness of summer on the path is gone. But now I'm on a roll, got myself a new bike light and am planning on giving it a go. Biking year round. So far, so good. 

Actually, Friday, I finally saw a bit of town night. In the past I'd enjoy the fireworks from afar (not a fan) either on the bus tie home or snuggled up at home. This time, I got to catch all the festivities, hosted on the baseball field off the path. Tons of activity with horse rides and food and games. A nice little pocket of enjoyment I'd have missed on my regular commute home.