Riding to work

Three months ago I would have never even thought about riding my bike to work. The distance would have killed me - I don't think I could have made it. as of today, I have ridden to work three times and I really enjoyed it.

Many years ago (when I was younger and fitter) I used to ride my bike to work at Manuka via the Monaro Hwy - a distance of 18.2km (according to google maps) which used to take me around an hour. I did it then because I didn't have a car and public transport was actually longer - yes it was quick to ride my bike then catch a bus. In those days, my husband would pick me up in the afternoon so I only had to get to work.

Riding my bike to work now means that I also have to ride home (or catch a bus with a bike rack on it) and I really like riding it. The distance from Theodore to Woden is around 16km and takes me 45 minutes. I find it really clears the cobwebs out of my mind and I get to work feeling clear headed. There are only two major hills - coming out of Erindale up Erindale Drive and coming up Athllon Drive. On the ride to work, the section through Gowrie is probably the most tedious as its a gradual incline all the way, but conversely it's great coming home as you can really pick up speed through that section. On the way home, getting past Mawson is painful but as soon as you get to Erindale it's all downhill until you get to Calwell.

When I finish at the gym I will be replacing the gym work with riding my bike to work 3 - 4 times a week. I save on Petrol ($50 a week) and parking fees ($45 per week) and gym fees. Win all round really.

My Bike route