not so stylish...but safe!

For the first four days of my commute challenge I was riding sans bike helmet. I didn't really like the idea of riding without one, but I didn't want to further postpone riding, so I was just extra careful.

Well, I did some digging in my parents' garage and found one! It is definitely an older helmet but I'm pretty sure in the event of a head-on crash, might help me anyway. It's not the most attractive look, but then again neither is a broken skull.

oh yeah...so cute right?! 

On another note, I am feeling pretty proud of myself for keeping up with my challenge. Over the last seven months it's taken different form than I expected, but I am still getting in some good exercise every day. I am up to a 43% bike commute rate, which is pretty cool. And I've driven my car so few times in the last week that I actually forgot where I parked the other day!

I'm also walking when I can. Today I had a work errand to run and instead of driving to work just for that reason, I decided to ride my bike and walk for my errand. It was only 3/4 of a mile round trip, but I am happy I chose the healthy route rather than the convenient one.

I've been challenged!

As a break from walking, I'm going to embark on a new challenge - the bike commute challenge. My co-worker Jake invited me to participate in it. It's a month-long challenge for September and its sponsored by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). After thinking about it, I decided and I am going to take him up on it -- provided I find a bike, that is.

I used to have a bike, but then when our family moved after high school it got put outside and was never brought in...meaning it's now rusted over and I am pretty sure my parents donated it to some "Bigger and Better" game some local kids were playing. So sadly, that leaves me without a bike. I could go buy one, but I'd rather save up for a nice one than go out and buy a mediocre one right now. Besides, I am sure there are lots of second hand bikes laying around waiting to be ridden!

So, if anyone out there has a bike they'd love to let me borrow for the month of September, I would be eternally grateful.


You know where to find me should you have a bike I can use! And thanks in advance :)