May is National Bike Month. I advocate for everyone to ride, regardless of how far, how fast, what kind of bike they ride, etc. I especially love when people can commute to work. I used to, and I wish I could, more often.

I’m enjoying the weather (despite being disappointed with weather reports of rain that don’t materialize) because it’s cooler than normal. It’s also windier, which makes riding solo that much more challenging and rewarding on the downwind legs.

I got back into serious road cycling in 2005, even more so in 2006. I started watching bike races, riding with fast, steady, experienced riders, and more importantly, rode to watch the  Amgen Tour of California ride past a noisy group of enthusiasts for the first time. It was so enthralling, the energy, the riders’ speed, the colors, the whole entourage.I was smitten.

In subsequent years my husband and I rode to the top of Cardiac Hill (Hwy. 128) for the King of the Mountain competition, to the top of Sierra Rd., in San Jose, for a fundraiser, food, and to see Levi, Lance, George Hincapie, et al, suffer up that climb. We’ve ridden or driven to a number of stages that were convenient to us when we had not time to spare.

We DVR the stages we don’t watch in person and are patrons of the race. Right now it’s the biggest International bike race in the country, and we want to see it continue. So tonight, after watching the last stage (how edge-of-the-seat exciting was that?), we decided to follow the tour in the next 3 years. We’ll take our bikes, maybe pre-ride the course, and ring our cowbells at the KOM and/or finish line, for every stage. I can’t wait. It’s so exciting!

Thursday, 5/15, was Bay Area Bike to Work Day. I’ve participated since 2007.  This year was no exception, except that I was too late for the local energizer station. I’m batting 1000 for missing them. But since my hours are fluid that’s no big deal.

I look forward to more bike commuting. There are at least 2 days/week I’m not with clients, so why not ride to the office and be more green?

And since it’s only the 17th, I see more opportunities to ride…for work and for fun.