Enjoy the small victories!This morning I rode my bicycle for the first time in two months after I injured my foot when I fell off the back of a truck while helping a friend move. My foot is still swollen, and I can only get my shoe on by wearing compression socks. Having not checked my mail at the Post Office and wanting to get back on my bike, I decided to give it a shot. The Post Office is about 2.5 miles from my home, with a few moderate hills on the ride back. Before getting on the busy street, I rode in my neighborhood to ensure no safety issues. Feeling okay, I headed to the Post Office without any issues. I could feel my foot throbbing, but it wasn’t excruciating, so I continued. The return ride home was more demanding, but I made it through. I was so relieved when I took my shoe off and relaxed. Only being a 5-mile ride, this wouldn’t be something I would usually celebrate, but I am! This small victory reminded me of my challenges on my ride across America. Pressing on when I wasn’t sure I could. Perhaps more importantly, making the decision to do it! It was overcoming the pain (this short ride was as painful as anything I can remember from my ride across the country) and reaching my destination. Was this healthy for my foot recovery? I’m unsure of that; however, it was healthy for my soul and spirit! Saying good morning to the people on their morning walks with their dogs, enjoying the crisp morning air, and the satisfaction of completing this simple but real goal. Not wanting to overdo it and aggravate my injury, I will take it easy for the rest of the day. As I mentioned in my recent podcast, I’ve relied on Instacart to deliver my groceries. Tomorrow, I plan on riding my bike to the store once again!
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There will NEVER be a "Perfect" time!I often revisit the moments from my bike ride across America in 2017. So many incredible people and challenges! Looking at the blog post I made on this day in 2017, the title was "Today was a rough day. Though I didn't elaborate, I still remember why I felt that way. Still, I rode about 26 miles that day, and my cumulative total had reached 1,768 miles. I posted one of my favorite quotes from the late Wayne Dyer, "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." I've repeatedly stated that this ride profoundly changed my life, and it did! If I had waited for the "perfect" time to begin that journey, I would likely still be waiting. There will always be excuses why it's not the right time to embark on whatever adventure you're dreaming of... don't look for the reasons not to do it; instead, take steps towards it every day! One thing that has always worked for me is publicly announcing your plans. Tell friends, family, and neighbors, and post to social media; these things hold you accountable. I took it one step further; after I decided to do my ride, I was employed full-time. I remember meeting with my boss and telling him my plan would take approximately 3 1/2 months to complete. I told him I hoped I had his support but was prepared to lose my job. That's how much completing this journey meant to me. Not only did my employer support me, but they also followed my adventure on the company's social media pages, and customers followed me too!
Whatever your dream, do it Today! No more somedays When my truck broke down the summer of 2021 I was frustrated as I was planning to set out on an adventure across Idaho and who knows where else! Still, it gave me reason for pause and to reflect on my life and finances. This was all happening during the pandemic so chances are my plans would have to change even if my truck hadn't broken down so, with the shortage of quality, used trucks available I had the opportunity to get out from under the payment and make a little money too! In addition, my Golden Retriever Ace was going to accompany me on my adventures but he was having health issues and wouldn't be able to handle the stress. (see Ace and Podcast links below) This is what brought me to where I am today...car free for 2 years using my bicycle for transportation. LinksIt's been one year since I said goodbye to Ace. I miss that boy so much! He was such an incredible friend and companion.
It took me several months to get used to him not being here. I live in a small space, an RV to be specific, I often felt guilty because I couldn’t provide Ace a backyard to play in and more space while inside. But, through it all he never made a fuss. In fact, the tight quarters brought us even closer. Every afternoon when I got home, there he was waiting for me, tail wagging and the “smile” Golden Retrievers are known for. I’ve thought about getting another dog but I think it's too soon and I wouldn't be prepared to say goodbye to another pet. So, I’m just going to enjoy my memories, look at photos from time to time and there are several dogs in my neighborhood, including several Golden Retrievers so I can enjoy their company when I see them. Below is a gift I received from a friend after saying goodbye to Ace. It’s beautiful and I have it placed in a spot in my home that I can see it from anywhere in the room. I Love and Miss you Ace!
I had to make the difficult choice to say goodbye to Ace. His spirits were high and his attitude was as sweet as it's ever been, but his joints were too fragile to get up out of his bed without assistance and he was having difficulty walking. In typical Ace fashion, he tried with all his heart but was just too weak.
One thing that would always perk him up is when the maintenance guys where I live would come by in their golf carts, because Ace knew they would always have treats for him! Though he didn't particularly care about other dogs, he LOVED people! ALL PEOPLE!!
Nick and I got Ace when he was just a puppy and has been part of our family for nearly 15 years. He has always been by my side, regardless of how challenging the situation I was going through. I could always count on Ace resting his chin on my leg to offer his unique style of comfort.
We have so many photos of Ace and perhaps I'll share more of them at a later time. Below is a video I made many years ago that has always brought a smile to my face, but today...tears too.
Thank you Ace for so many wonderful years! Nick and I love you and will miss you!!!
When my truck needed major repairs in the spring of 2021, I found myself relying on my bicycle to get around. This included, grocery shopping, bank, post office...pretty much everything! The repairs took nearly two months to complete and during this period my passion for cycling was reignited. I say "reignited" because cycling has always been a part of my life, including my bike ride across America in 2017. July of 2021, I made the decision to sell my truck and go car-free. I work remotely, so the commute to the office has not been an issue. I haven't had the occassion to use public transportation, but have used ride share a time or two and asked my neighbor to take me to Zamzows to get the large bags of dog food for my Golden Retriever, Ace. Aside from these rare circumstances, my bike has been my sole form of transportation. My bike of choice is the REI CTY 1.1 (pictured below). I use the Ortlieb panniers for carrying gear. These are the same ones I used on my ride across America. It has been a great bike for the Boise terrain, Including the Boise Greenbelt. The Boise greenbelt is such a Treasure to the Boise community! You can ride alongside the Boise River from Eagle to Lucky Peak with hardly ever having to go on a city street. It's a beautiful and peaceful way to commute or for a relaxing, leisurely ride. As mentinoned, the greenbelt is a fantastic way to get around the greater Boise area. Once you leave the greenbelt, it can be much more challenging depending where you are in the city. Downtown Boise has been doing more to accomodate cyclists, however other areas offer fewer bike lanes for safe cycling. State Street has been especially challenging with the lack of bike lanes and heavy traffic. Hill Road is a popular cycling street with defined bike lanes that takes cyclists from Eagle to Downtown Boise. As more people begin to commute by bike, there needs to be more bike parking at restaurants, stores, banks and other retail establishments. Conclusion: I live close to grocery stores, some restaurants and other shopping. I live alone (with my Golden Retriever) so transportation for kids, large grocery runs etc. haven't been an issue. Motorists have been very kind for the most part. Follow the rules of the road and most motorists will respect you. With local gas prices averaging $4.63 per gallon at the time of this post, decent weather, and improving bike lanes, cycling has proven to be a viable form of transportation in Boise, Idaho.
For more information, listen to my Podcast "Living a Car-Free Life" Grocery bike ride in 12 degree weatherOver the past few days, Boise has gotten around 7 inches of snow and fell to -3 a couple days ago. Plows have cleared most of the major roadways but sidewalks, shoulders and parking lots are still tricky to navigate.
This morning, I headed out to my local grocery store with my ortlieb panniers to carry my purchases home. Being only 12 degrees and the wind chill (not actual wind but the 20 MPH I was riding) really put a bite on my hands and toes. Note to self: Invest in better gloves and socks. It’s interesting when I owned a car and the weather was this cold, I wouldn’t have even thought about riding my bike. Too many easy excuses not to. But, when you get rid of your car, you also get rid of the excuses and you get on that bike and ride, regardless of the weather conditions. A few turns of the crank and I’m really exhilarated and eager for the ride ahead of me! Winter has just begun and I’m sure there will be many challenging days ahead but I’m looking forward to every one of them! Cycling has been part of my life since I was a child. Like many, when the time came to get my drivers license, my form of transportation changed from my bike to my car. Still, I continued to ride, though not as many miles! Then in 2017 I had the opportunity and honor to ride my bike (basic as it was) across the country in memory of my brother. Totally life changing! My child like passion for cycling was renewed as was my faith in the human race!
Today, I’m “retired”, last week I sold my truck, and I’m now car-free and using my bike for 100% of my transportation . Cycling has a way of bringing out the best in us and in others! People that I met on my cross country ride, strangers curious about why I was riding across the country, offering to let me stay in their home, buying me meals, engaging conversations with them and their children. My ride across the country was “solo” but I never felt alone. Today, I’m cycling in my community every day, and am meeting incredible people I would never meet sitting in traffic in my “former truck”. Riding a bike, regardless how far or what the ultimate destination is an adventure! If you are a cyclist or are interested in learning how to reduce your dependency on your automobile, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. I'll be sharing my car-free lifestyle including stories about; my bike, gear, weather, photos, videos, people I meet and more! All blog posts related to living car free will be under the Car Free category!
I was honored to be share my bike ride with attendees at the KBOI business breakfast in Boise, Idaho in September 2018, a year after I completed my adventure. Below is a video that I shared with the group with just some of the highlights from my trip. You can learn more about my entire journey on my blog at Take Time For Life
If your school, business or organization would like to hear a positive message about what is possible when we only dare to dream, please contact me. |
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