Workout Plan – Cycling 1,000 Miles
Forty eight miles down, 952 to go. This is part of my workout plan for 2017, one thousand miles commuting to work via bicycle. For those who do extreme cycling this will seem like a minimal amount, but to me this is significant. I am not a cyclist nor do I strive to be. I do actually enjoy mountain biking, but have only gone a handful of times. Going straight up massive Northwest mountains will definitely take some time to master. To help with that process and get into shape I plan to cycle to work every single day this year.
I’ve only lived in Portland Oregon for 6 months now and before that I did no cycling. I will admit I tried a few times back in California, but that state is not urban bike friendly. It’s not the last state I would choose for this workout plan, but it’s definitely not my first. There bicycle lanes are minimal or non-existent, and cars are like monsters that rule with authority. In Portland though, it’s like a whole new world. Bicycle lanes are well marked, painted white and green, and exist throughout most of the immediate city. This reason alone is enough to do it, without even counting the personal gains that come from it.
Think of the Perks
I’m not sure why, but most people are in love with their car. Granted in the United States it’s almost impossible to live without one, but even still our culture has gone extreme. Especially in small town America walking any place, never mind using a bicycle past age 16, is practically condemned. Yet this is the same popular culture that puts you down for being overweight or out of shape. And if that wasn’t ridiculous enough, let’s add on the kicker that somehow it’s socially cool to join a gym.
Instead of following the masses let’s talk about a different workout plan. If you live within 5 – 10 miles of your work place what could cycling do for you? First and foremost it gets you into shape. Look it up if you don’t believe me, cycling burns a serious amount of calories. It works you legs, core, and upper body all with one activity. And if that wasn’t enough have you thought about the cost savings? There is no fuel cost, minimal maintenance compared to car, and absolutely no monthly payment/insurance. I mean just add up those monthly costs for a second and then think about what the year would look like. If the entire country started bicycling even just one day a week, the amount of calories burned and money saved would be astronomical. And that’s not even posing the questions…what if your bicycle replaced your current gym membership or membership fees you paid in the past?
Workout Plan Motivation
For me this is about fitness and finance. A workout plan of this nature checks off two goals in with one activity, and that’s what it’s all about. Any time I can do two things at once I sign up immediately. On a fitness note I plan to get my flat stomach back. I am nowhere over weight, if anything I could gain a few, but I’ll be damned if my stomach looks like a washboard. And on the finance side I’ve done the math. This saves me $4,500 dollars a year if I had a car with a payment attached to it. Even if I didn’t have a car payment I’m still up $1,300+ for the year. If this isn’t a win win situation I don’t know what is. You can even take it one step further with the environmental gains if you wish. This workout plan cuts roughly 1/2 tons of CO2 depending on traffic conditions. No matter which way you look at it…cycle more, driving less, and live a better life.
