Bike Blog

I wear many different hats at my job: administrator, customer service, concierge, some type of assistant or junior manager. Truthfully I'm not sure what my actual job title is anymore. I don't even think my boss knows, but suffice it to say that of all the hats and duties I do in my work, the one I like most is advocate. 

You see my core responsibility is to the members of the McDonald's Cycle Center, people who live their lives by bike. This is a pretty natural fit for me, a person who believes that cycling is more than a form of transportation or exercise but a way of life. So as an advocate for bikes and other varied types of human powered transportation, I keep my eyes peeled for resources. Social networking sites, online magazines, blogs, blogs and more blogs. I look for news articles on heath and the benefits of good exercise and nutrition. I keep tabs on green living, city planning, the economy and transportation. And I keep a special eye out for resources and articles that pertain to women and families. I've found a great collection of bike blogs written by women covering topics about biking with your family, living without a car, bike fashion and style tips, winter riding and women's special events (triathlons, group rides etc.) 

My recent discovery of women's bike blogs has inspired something in me. More like, a light bulbs has clicked on. It's so simple why didn't I think of it before? Why am I not writing a regular bike blog? Sure I talk about my bikes and my rides occasionally on my blog along with a myriad of other topics, but I talk about it all the time in person. I'm convicted to take it one step further. Cycling has become so integrated with every aspect of my life in Chicago. It is a huge part of my identity, second only to my spiritual and church life (because in Christ I am a a new creation) and the foremost of all my hobbies and interests.    

  

Henceforth I'm committing to posting regular articles, pictures and links to the lifestyle I love. Riding my bike has impacted almost every facet of my living. My daily commute is my regular exercise routine, and it's the best preventative medicine there is. It has saved me money not only from transportation costs, but also for health care. I've also lost 30lbs (and kept if off!) in the last 4 years. I've learned every trick in the book for riding and dressing in a Chicago winter. 

Maybe my story and my blog will continue to live in obscurity, but not if I can help it. Three things have saved my life, Jesus Christ, the theater, and my bike.