Evolution of a Cycling Family

Posted by Ed Smith Sunday, June 20, 2010

I've been a bicycle commuter since rediscovering the joys of cycling, forgotten since my college days, in 2003. I've also enjoyed recreational cycling on the weekends with the Fresno Cycling Club. Fresno and eastern Fresno County is some of the best riding anywhere. Of course my wife and my 9-year old son ride, but beyond the very occasional trip to the coffee shop, they have been somewhat less than enthusiastic. Million Mile Challenge changed all that, and I'm here to tell you all about it.

When I signed my family up to participate in the Million Mile Challenge I didn't expect much. I certainly didn't expect us to learn, change, and grow closer as a family. On a certain lovely Saturday in May we went for a ride that was to become my son Thor's longest ride ever; from home in Clovis to Woodward Park, Roeding Park, and then back home. Somewhere along the way he almost crashed because his bike was too small for him, nearly bringing an early end to the day, the Challenge, and the association of biking and joy altogether. Fortunately, we were on the trail in Clovis near Steven's Bicycle Shop. We went in and found The Perfect Bike. After that it was as though he ignited his rocket boosters. There was no holding Thor back. That 33-mile day led to an amazing 100-mile month, and he wants to do it again!

In the meanwhile, my wife experienced an even more amazing transformation. Once these family trips starting becoming fun, she wanted to do more. After accomplishing a 100-mile May, she wanted to do it in June. When she saw how easy it was to get places on the weekend, she started to think about replacing short car trips with bike trips. We started using our car a little less. When it came time to pay the bills, it made less sense to maintain our second car.

Then came her ephiphany. We could sell our car and save literally hundreds of dollars a month! A few short months ago, this seemed impossible. But now the world seems like a smaller and friendlier place. We're more relaxed and we're taking our time going places. New ideas and possibilities for vacations and long trips are presenting themselves. We still have a mostly reliable, running vehicle, so emergencies won't be a problem.

This past Saturday, we sold the car. If you've never had the experience, I recommend it. It was a burden lifted, and an adventure begun. It was exhilirating. Yesterday, as we rode around the neighborhood together, we started planning. How to get around town in a town obviously built around the convenience of the private automobile. And, where to go on vacation with the extra money we'll be saving.

And I'll be riding to work more often now...