I’m a male nurse at Billings Clinic.  I’m an old guy, 53, had never been into fitness and was rather sedentary. I hadn’t ridden a bike in 30 years!  But I figured, “better late than never!” Last spring I picked up a cruiser bike to ride with my son on the paths, and I enjoyed that.  Then I found out that a nurse practitioner I knew commuted by bike frequently, and she really seemed to enjoy it.  I thought long and hard about doing it, but my commute distance at that time appalled me (7.5 miles!).  The cruiser was too slow and not geared right for that, as I have a few hills on my route.  I saved and bought an entry level road bike, and I was ready!

I had to condition myself with two and three mile rides for awhile, as I was so out of shape.  It was really tiring at first, wow!  I’d only wished I had started 20 years before…but 20 years ago Billings didn’t have the paths and bike lanes it does now, and no one thought seriously of riding a bike to work.  Adults rode for pleasure then (if they rode at all), and you sure didn’t ride in traffic!  I’m very glad to see this changing in Billings.

I rode one, two or three days a week last summer, and continued it through the fall until I was stopped by snow and ice.  This had been such a LONG winter!  The roads would dry up, become ice-free, I’d think, “maybe I will ride tomorrow”, and then BAM, another snow storm!

This spring I traded my road bike in for something a bit more comfortable; a touring bike (Raleigh Sojourn).  I have no great need for speed; I wanted something a bit more comfortable and solid.  A commuting bike would also have been a good choice but I liked the drop bars, and I really enjoy the bar end shifters on this ride.  I have been bike commuting almost every day to work this spring, and totally loving it.  I really encourage anyone to give it a try. Just start out doing one day a week to see if you like it.  You’ll be amazed at how good it makes you feel, and it really perks you up at work. It really improves your mood.

There are tons of websites and videos about bike commuting that you can get great advice from. I learned a lot from these.  I will say this:  leave early, give yourself plenty of time once you get to work just to sit and wind down and cool down (or get your land legs as I call it).  Sit in the work break room, or outside under a tree, have some coffee or water, and enjoy the feeling.

So, if you ever see an old guy riding a black touring bike on Poly, or Parkhill, or Lewis….that’s probably me.  Give a wave!

Marv Anderson

Billings