Ah, it is Bike Commute Challenge season again and how sweet it is. The blistering heat of the summer is beginning to fade into the cool weather of fall. By the end of it the leaves will have changed, and fun will have been had by all…
…and then there’s the tales of bike commute conquest!
Please indulge me as I take this opportunity to welcome a new member to the bike commuting family. They say the hardest people to convert are your own family. So, Dad. Welcome!
Today he hopped on an older, but resilient mountain bike (much like him) and commuted by bike for the first time. All the way in the car-built streets of Beaverton he rode to the MAX station and arrived in Hillsboro to ride the rest of the way victoriously. He even wore a helmet.
Thanks to all for allowing me to use the BTA soapbox to trumpet my father’s fanfare and I hope someday you all can sing such praises about your family.
Go Dad.
Way to go, Jordan’s dad! Today was also my mom’s first ever bike commute. Go mom!
Thanks to Margaux’s encouragement I’m giving it a go – what a great day to start!! It might take me awhile to bike UP the hill that was such a blast to cycle down – in the meantime I will enjoy the uphill commute via TriMet. Betsy
Here Here! I had the same great feeling this year- my sister signed up for the BCC and bike commuted to work for the first time!! I’m never preachy to my family about getting on a bike (they know my feelings on the matter to be sure) so it’s great to have encouragement events like this to build up the excitement for it.
Go KRISTIN!
My first ever bike commute was September 1, 2009, and I have bicycled to work every work day since. I am overweight and out of shape, but I rode the 4.6 miles to work in 35 minutes (thanks to more downhill than uphill). I’d like to thank the BTA for doing the Bike Commute Challenge every year and a pat on the back for myself for finally getting up the courage to get on my old mountain bike and pedal to work. I have to say it is exhilarating and I feel great! Thank you!
Vanessa, welcome to the club. I’ve been bike commuting almost every day (snow & ice days excepted) on my 26 year old bike. The weight still comes and goes, and I’m in better-but-not-great shape, but it just feels good. I’m not nearly as antsy sitting at my desk since I started riding.
Vanessa, congrats on getting out there and trying it. You’ll notice that the more you ride, the easier it gets, so stick with it!! You’ll get more in shape the more you ride.
It is definitely exhilarating, I too am enjoying my commuting by bike– and I’ve been doing it off and on for 6 years now!
I’m trying for more “on” than “off” this month. 
Go Moms and Dads and everyone who decides to try commuting by bike!! You guys rock.
I to am a new btw participant. I live over 15 miles from work and thought no way!! but as a few ” bus friends” started doing it, I though I would try. I am only riding home from work, since it takes me over and hr and just don’t want to bike in the dark at 5am!! I AM LOVING IT!! There are a few challenging hills but I am still looking for different easier routes which also make the ridng more interesting
I sit next to Jordan’s Dad (Bill) here at work! He has ridden in on his bike 3 days in a row!! Way to go Bill! Way to go Jordan for putting your father up to the challenge! btw… he parks that bike in his cube so it is safe even though the company we work for provides indoor bike parking with security cameras. cute…
Thanks for the encouragement Kt and Marsha. My ride home from work is quite challenging as it is mostly uphill. I had to walk part of it yesterday, trying a new route today. I have to say I am really enjoying leaving the car at home! My friends and family have been very encouraging too. The first day I kinda snuck out of the house before my husband was awake and at first he didn’t believe me when I told him that I rode my bike to work! I am going to do my best to keep up with my new routine, So I better get some fenders soon!
yeehaw Jordan’s dad! I thought that sounded like your riding Jordan. Keep on encouraging the parents. Good things.