This is how I roll

As a non car owner, well an occasional car sharer is probably a better descriptor, active transportation is a daily must for me. I take full advantage of close proximity of my work and enjoy the 40 minutes of fresh air and reflective time it affords me, rain or shine. This year I have really enjoyed spending more time being active outside and choosing to let exercise opportunities find me, such as walking home from SFU Surrey after school sometimes (a good 2 hour walk by the way) instead of transiting home and rushing to the gym.

This past summer I fell in love with bicycle riding in South East Asia, most specifically the ancient temple landscape of Bagan in Myanmar (Burma). Ever since my trip, I have lamented how bicycle riding doesn't seem to fit with my life in the hilly suburb of New Westminster. I own a bike, two actually. One, an uninspiring mountain bike style given to me on my 13th birthday, and the other, a 70's Nordco road bike with gears that makes me flinch at the thought of using and toe baskets that have given me some impressive road rash. Suffice to say neither inspire me to ride my hilly city, or get excited about hopping on. But with summer looming just around the corner, and no big travel plans for me due to my Masters program, a new way to enjoy summer sunshine became increasingly desirable.

With my tax return finally in hand (thank you tuition fees, you're finally good for something!) I was on the hunt for the perfect bicycle that would get me up and down hills safely, but with enough style and enjoyment that not a sunny day would go by without me wishing I was on two wheels. After much research and a few test rides I fell in love with a bike company that designs bike based on Dutch city bikes. We've discussed this a few times in our masters cohort and I really do believe that one of the biggest barriers to cycling, especially in the suburbs, is that generally the only cyclist you see are serious road bikers dressed head to toe in spandex. I need a bike that doesn't make me feel like a downhill mountain biker wannabe, or a road racing impostor. I wanted a bicycle that I could just hop onto in any outfit, at anytime, with a basket for my bag and groceries, I found it! Voici mon Electra Ticino 8d in wintermint with hammered chrome fenders and cream leather seat and handlebars.

Since getting my bike on Friday, I've put about 8 hours of riding on it and loved every minute! I've been rocking bike to work week, and intend on continuing long after the week is over. My new bicycle has even inspired me to change up the workout rut I've found myself to be in. From now until the end of bike season I'm swapping my 5-6 day a week workouts with a new three day a week split (push, pull, legs) and on my off days you will find my out and about walking, running, hiking, and of course riding my new favourite possession. Change is great!