Sometimes schedule and lifestyle limit riding to be a Saturday afternoon activity, but I have had the privilege almost every day in May . The League of American Bicyclists celebrates May as bike month. I decided to do my part by using only my bicycle for transportation for the month. This has been a success! My car has not moved from where I parked it on the last day of April. I haven’t transported my person through any means other than riding my bicycle or walking at any time during May. In the process I’ve put just over 1000 miles on that brand new touring bike.

In the realm of all things cycling, this is a very modest feat. The challenge here has not primarily been in the pedaling, but in functioning as a part of society at the same time. Suddenly it becomes necessary to explain your mode of transportation. Pretty much any transportation choice other than personal motor vehicle seems to imply that something is wrong. The car must be broken or the cost of driving must be to high. The is never a reasonable and dignified accommodation at public places for those who might not arrive perfectly clean, dry, and perfectly attired.

I admit that the first few days of the month this commitment seemed a bit daunting. Sure, I ride my bike a lot and I know I can get anywhere on it given enough time, but taking away my backup plan was a little scary. It only took a few days of consecutive commuting for my weak spots to show. With a sore knee and elbow I wondered if my body would hold up regardless of my level of commitment. However, as the days passed the minor aches and pains lessened as muscles got used to routine. I have found through the month that the occasional rest day and plenty of sleep really can make all the difference. It’s been a little cooler than I was hoping for in May which has meant some nights of numb toes, but cool days do reduce fatigue on long rides.

One key thought pattern that has developed is: never pass by a grocery store. I can carry a fair load on my bike, but it isn’t the hundreds of pounds one can casually bring home in the car. At the same time, all this riding demands that I stay stocked with good foods including water laden fruits and veggies. As a result, any opportunity to stuff a few groceries in the bag is welcome. This is especially true because there is no grocery store on my normal commuting route. If I were to keep doing this I think a cargo trailer would be very helpful for the occasional weekend large grocery run.

Vehicular cycling exposes one to all sorts of adventure that is normally not noticed and I was reminded of this multiple times. Once, late at night on a dark road way out of town I came across a guy on a mountain bike headed the other direction with zero lighting. Even I didn’t notice him until we were almost closer enough to touch. Another day with Isaac we found ourselves grinding up a steep wet dirt road in eastern NH when we came across a couple with an alarmingly large bonfire running in thier yard near the trees with an impossibly inadequate hose to control it. I guess it turned out all right…

I thought that a month limited to my bike would help simplify my life. It has. Sometimes to my dismay I have missed out on things I just couldn’t make it to in a reasonable time frame. It has also been a bit harder to connect with my people who are spread out all over New England. More often, I’ve been happy for the excuse to skip out on other obligations and go for bike rides! Even limited by my bike, I still had plenty to do. Perhaps the benefit of the usual packed schedule of car connected activities is an illusion. I sure don’t miss sitting in traffic.