Big Milestones and Bonuses of Bike Commuting

[kfergos]

Last night I calculated that in just about two years of consistent bike commuting, I have:

- Ridden 10,500 miles (year 1: 6 miles each way; year 2: 13 miles each way)
- Saved 22,500 miles on our car
- Saved us $2,000 in gas alone (we drive a Prius)
- Not emitted 21,000 lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere

That, I think, is pretty darn cool. On top of which, I have:

- Trained for and ridden my first century, MS 150, and the STP, all this season
- Learned the names of towns and streets most locals never see
- Seen some heart-stoppingly beautiful vistas
- Come home stress-free every day
- Eaten ice cream without a twinge of remorse
- Replaced my chain more times than I can count
- Not yet worn out my Gatorskins (but I have gotten 2 flats with them)
- Ridden extra miles on the way home "just because it's so beautiful out"
- Replaced my cassette and chainrings once
- Started seriously drooling over that titanium Seven the bike shop priced out for

I LOVE CYCLING!

[Aggie_Ama]

Wow I am inspired/humbled/impressed! How far is your commute? I really think you deserve that Seven, think how much you have also saved in vehicle maintenance.

[malkin]

Very cool!

You could also count time you spent doing something besides pumping gas and waiting for car maintenance events.

I admire the heck out of people who can keep track of their numbers.

[amy]

Good for you! I hope to be able to make such an impressive report in the future.

[lph]

Bike commuting just rocks

Very impressive numbers, kfergos - and excellent side-effects!

[andtckrtoo]

VERY Impressive! Thanks for sharing! Nice to see someone who has made such a tangible difference in their lives and in the lives of others.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I tell you what, Mass has got to be the best state to commute in. Riding through these little villages in the morning and buying produce from road side stands could make a gal move here permanently...I can't do that out West. Sigh...what to do...

I think you deserve the Seven. I told myself when I put a thousand on my commuter, I get to upgrade. I got a ways to go...I think 600 more miles?!

[pardes]

That is awe-inspiring! I can't believe how fast the miles add up even with a short commute like mine.

I haven't driven the car for ANYTHING in ages and I don't miss it at all! My friends think I'm completely crazy "at my age" but it's just their mindset that believes that they JUST CAN'T UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES live without a car.

I understand why people think that way to a point but to not even allow the possibility of a major change in your life is truly sad.

I remember a letter of resignation I wrote for a theoretically peachy job where I was climbing the career ladder by leaps and bounds. It bothered me that it seemed that my future fate was sealed and so I threw it to the wind and resigned with a quote from DuBois: "The important thing is this: to be able to sacrifice at any moment what you are for what you might become."

Any time I get too complacent since then in whatever situation, I consider if it's time to "sacrifice what I am for what I might become."

Biking has turned out not to be a sacrifice but a gift.