I have been bicycle commuting just shy of 8 years. I moved from northern Virginia, which cannot be described as a hot bed of bike friendliness, to the welcoming climate of Denver. My wife and I sold one vehicle prior to the move, which committed me to 365 days a year on the bike. I leapt, or more accurately, pedaled, into this new life with gusto. With pant legs rolled up and a shiny Timbuk2 bag tossed over my right shoulder I eagerly began a new chapter of my life, hoping to learn something about myself along the way.

Sandy Beazley

Not unlike the US Postal Service, I have ridden through rain, sleet, hail, snow and of course, this being Colorado, copious sunny days. I have numbed fingers, learned quite quickly that my fly was down, sunburned my arms and legs and even once, with no regard to its effect on the bike, ridden along a flooded and churning Cherry Creek bicycle path. My newfound enthusiasm and riding style did not always mesh well with the local driving citizenry. There were many, many occasions of honked horns, middle fingers and hurled obscenities, the latter two being instigated by either party.

Acrimony aside, I was not to be deterred. You think ex-smokers are bad, try working with a reformed car commuter. I spoke of newfound energy, the environmental benefits, my mileage, gear ratios, a shrinking waistline, gas and insurance savings, the ability to park anywhere and even walked through the doors clad in bike shorts, changing once I got to work. I must have been nearly unbearable, but by golly, I was passionate.

As always, with time there has been change. The interactions and altercations with drivers are far less frequent. The last testy exchange was over a year ago and was the result of an erratic driver leading to my erratic cycling, ultimately, leaving us both to blame. Inevitably, one gets angry in the moment yet a set of loud lungs and enraged gestures do little to engender feelings of goodwill between the often competing interests of cyclists and drivers. I am far more apt to simply continue on my way.

Now, nearly eight years into bicycle commuting, I am simply that, a bike commuter. The bike and I have reached the easy friendship reminiscent of old lovers. We know one another’s quirks and have chosen to get along in spite of them, and even relish one another’s company. It has taken quite some time on a bike to see and recognize my dramatic attitude shift. It is indisputable that if you bike commute for a year you will know yourself far better than had you spent an equivalent time entertained by drive-time talk radio crawling along the interstate. Of course, and I warn you, bike commute for several years and you then have the confidence to make bold proclamations about cycling and life change to a broad audience. Happy riding!

by Sandy Beazley, BikeDenver

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