Thoughts for a new year

2014 has sprung upon me with some surprise after a November & December filled with a few more moving parts than usual. In keeping with the custom of the season, I sat down to make a few self-improving resolutions for the new year ahead.

I decided that aside from becoming fitter, smarter, funnier, more organized, better to the environment and better smelling, I should probablly do something to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit. And now that I am living outside the downtown core, I decided that the thing to do would be bike-commute to work - and do it every day for the month of January.

This is sort of an off the deep-end approach. In spite of countless hours spent cycling, I have never relied on it as transportation. That is part of the appeal to try commuting and see how the utilitarian usage would bridge between the means of enjoyment. The jury is still out on that one... I have ridden the only two work days so far and my emotions range from fleeting joy to short-tempered frustration.

January was chosen deliberately for that reason: it's awkward and that's the point. But how hard can it be? I know friends Erik and Chris have cycle-commuted through all winter conditions for years - but that is the self improvement part of the resolution... my theory is that it is a mindset, and I am excited to experience it even though I know some of the really cold days will be tough ones.