In the last few weeks I've been wanting to get into cycling. My dream is to be one of those Austin hipsters who commutes to work on a bike. However, I decided that I needed to try and see if I had the endurance to make it 5 miles from my house (the distance from home to school). My friend let me borrow one of her three bikes and I gave it a go this morning. My goal was to make it from our house to my parents' house (also 5 miles) and not get run over by a car. I woke up early and drove to Walmart to buy a helmet (a must have!) and then got home, packed up some stuff in my slingbag and headed out. Overall, the Westlake area here in Austin is super hilly. There were times were I had to put it in the slowest gear combination just to make it.

You'll be happy to know that I succeeded on arriving to my parents' house, as well as not getting hit by a car. According to the Google Maps Distance Calculator I traveled a total of 5 miles in about 40 minutes. Slow, I know, but that's okay. Part of it was due getting lost. I think I could make it to school, but I feel I'd have to go early enough in the morning so that I wouldn't have to deal with as many cars. It is fun, but I think I need a little more training before I really start commuting regularly.

I don't think I will get a bike anytime soon, but once I can build up my endurance I'll start looking to buy a bike.