Getting reacquainted with my two-wheeled friend
For many years, when I worked for this radio station from roughly 9 to 5, my routine was thus: up at 7, make breakfast for my wife and daughter (and six years later - daughters), wake them up at 7:30, luxuriate over a family meal, gradually wake up and tow the oldest one to school in my bike trailer. From there, it was off to work on my bike, day in, day out. In winter, a half-hour power walk to work became my daily routine.
However, for the past two years, since I have been hosting the 570 Morning News with Lisa, my routine has been drastically different. Up at 3 in the morning. (absolutely insane). Shove some fruit and yogurt and bagel into a bag. And, pray to God that my wife doesn’t need the car so I can simply shove my tired and sorry butt into it, turn the key and make a beeline for Tim Horton’s before driving off to work for an enthusiastic “Good Morning, Guys!”, upon arrival at the godforsaken time of 3:40 a.m. (”guys” being editor Paul Mcphee and audio editor Erin Cook.)
The thrill of the bike ride wanes noticeably at that hour of the day. One simply wants to get oneself to work as soon as possible with minimal effort. One is generally still half asleep at that time of the morning and wishes only to be back in bed. Thus the appeal of the automobile.
The effect of two years of mostly driving instead of riding or walking, coupled with not playing hockey any longer (I had to quit my beer league) because most of the games were held too late at night to accomodate my early out-of-bed time, has not been good. 12 pounds later, I realized I was feeling lazy about relying so much on the car. I missed the feeling of being on a bike, the pain in my legs indicating that I was doing my body some good, the feeling of exuberance and noticeable energy lift upon arriving at work, and the mental lift I got from expending some energy.
Well now I’m back in the saddle again and it feels great. I am reconnecting with my sleek and speedy Nishiki 10-speed road bike, and after about a week, it was like we had never parted.
I have never given any form of advice in my previous blogs, but I shall in this one: If you have a regular physical routine or form of excercise, don’t give it up unless you absolutely must. You were meant to be together.