My First Bike Commute to Work

Last week was my first week of commuting to work by bicycle. It was an amazing experience. Even if you are not planning to commute to work by bicycle, you can apply some of the lessons I learned to your own goals to improve your health and your life. As with most new ventures, they never go quite like you expect them to. I will share with you my experience and then explain what I learned.

The night before my first ride, I packed my bags and prepared everything for the ride the next morning.  I got up at 5 a.m., which is about 30-45 minutes earlier than I usually arise.  I dressed in layers, including a base layer of UnderArmour Cold Gear, which is quite warm for those cold weather outdoor sporting activities.  I then made a breakfast of a green smoothie, drank it quickly and hopped on the bike.  It was dark, so I turned on my headlight and taillight so that I would be clearly visible to the traffic.

I had pedaled about 300 yards down the road from my house when a 4 point buck dashed across the road 15 yards in front of me.  It scared the bleep out of me!  The resulting adrenaline rush kept me warm for the next couple of miles.  At the next turn, I was prepared for the old, black mutt when he barked and gave a feeble chase.  I have encountered him before on my daylight rides with the local bike club, the Seyboro Cyclists.  A quick command, "Stay!" got him to tuck his tail and run back to his yard.  The adrenaline, cold and full stomach from the 40 ounce smoothie were a bit of a challenge for the rest of the ride.  After the first ride, I decided to take the smoothie with me on the bike and drink it after the morning commute.  My stomach thanked me.

The remainder of the route to work was peaceful with little traffic and a gradually lightening sky.  I arrived at the back door of the hospital just as someone was wheeling two corpses to the morgue.  I said a respectful silent prayer for them and proceeded to the shower to get ready for the work day.

The ride home at 6:00 was slightly more challenging with rush hour traffic, but I am accustomed to riding in traffic.  Most drivers are quite friendly if they see you on the bike.  I did have one incident where a car pulled out in front of me, and I realized that they were not able to see the headlight on my bike.  Since changing it to a flashing mode, I have not had any problems with being visible.

The commute the rest of the week was quite pleasant, even on the day with snow flurries.  I did not commute the last day because it was 24 degrees that morning - too cold even for me.

I will share with you the lessons that I learned from commuting.  Think about the most challenging health goal that you now have and apply the lessons below to help you overcome the obstacles.

1. Don't talk yourself out of beginning.  I almost talked myself out of riding to work the first day, but I stuck with it, and I am glad I did.  If the goal is important to you, don't quit before you get started.  The most difficult step is always the first one.  When you face a challenge, your instinctual reaction is to flee - to think about all of the dangers or reasons why it won't work.  I discussed this in my last post.  No matter how vivid your imagination, you will not know what the experience is like until you try it.
2. Appreciate the challenge.  I have been cycling for years, but I had never commuted or ridden in the dark.  You know that starting something new will be difficult, if for no other reason than it is something out of your habitual routine.  You are creature of habit.  I imagine you do not think about what you are doing most of the day because you do the same things every day.  You brush your teeth the same way, you eat the same breakfast, and you drive to work the same way.  Doing something new will feel difficult because it is different.  Welcome the challenge as something interesting to break the monotony of daily life.  Set a goal to try a new health practice for 7 consecutive days; 30 days would be even more effective.  Challenge yourself to do it every day.
3. Enjoy the process.  I resolved to enjoy feeling refreshed and relaxed at work after commuting.  This is similar to appreciating the challenge.  Consider why you set the goal.  Think about how you will feel when you have been exercising every day for a month, or when you are losing weight steadily.  Remember, the steps that you take every day are leading you closer to your goal.  Make the steps fun.  If exercise is your goal, listen to your favorite music while you do it or exercise with a friend.  Don't just exercise, have physical fun.  If you are dieting to lose weight, try a new, delicious, healthy dish each day.  Life should be interesting and fun.
4. Expect surprises.  I expected a dog to chase me, but I did not expect to encounter a deer up close and personal on my first commute.  You will encounter surprises as you take action on your health goals.   Sometimes the surprises will be pleasant and sometimes they will be less welcome.  We like surprises.  They make life a joy.  You don't want to know what is in the birthday present before you open it.  You don't want to know when the creature in the horror movie will jump out, because that would spoil the fright.  Imagine if you knew from birth exactly how your life would be everyday.  That would be torture.  It sounds like a great storyline for a science fiction novel or an episode of the Twilight Zone.
5. Success builds on success.  Each day, it was easier for me to commute because I was getting comfortable with the process.  The more you practice something, the easier and more satisfying it becomes because you get better at it.  The better you get, the more you want to continue doing it.  After losing 10 pounds, you don't want to gain it back, so you are more likely to continue with a healthy diet.  There is a reason why successful people are successful in so many areas of their life.  They have learned how to be successful.  It is a skill that can be applied to all aspects of your life.  No one can take away your ability to improve yourself.  Once you know you can do it, that skill is yours forever.  Learning that you can succeed at something, no matter what the challenge, is a valuable gift.
6. Use your success to help someone else.  I learned that it is feasible for a busy physician, father and husband to commute to work by bicycle.  I am writing this blog to help you take the next step to improve your own health.  Take what you learn when you achieve a goal and help someone who needs your support.  Just like the parable of the talents in the Bible, your own talent will grow when you use it to teach someone else.

 Resolve that you will take action today to improve your health.  Don't let the sun go down on your dreams.  As Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote, "Most people go to their graves with their music still inside them."  Live up to the talent inside you and enjoy your health and your life.

Comments

[Karen]

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this blog. I laughed out loud at my desk when I read about the buck. Lucky you! Many sit in a cold deer stand for hours without that fortune!
I'll be including this blog (with the required credit info) in the January edition of Wayne County's HealthBeat.
Thanks,
Karen

[Steve Vail]

What a bike ride, I felt like I was with you the whole way, and now I will feel a little more understanding of the bike riders. Dr. Doug, I truly hope you will continue to enjoy your work at the hospital, but I also pray that you will know just how much you are missed in private practice.
When I got the word of your move, I was sad, but I did not think it was going to be a big deal to find anouther GP. Boy was I wrong! I went to Physicians East to make an appointment, and was told it would be five months before I could see my new MD, Dr. Elizabeth Fry, she will be my first ever female Doctor, and I am a little nervous. The big problem now is my Prescriptions will run out before the appointment, but I will make it with the help of your blogs. Because of my health needs and your advice, I now eat better ( lots of greens), exercise more, and less stress. I check my sugar every other day, and most of the time it is ok.
Dr. Doug, I wish you the very best, and I thank God for there being a you.
Steve Vail
Pikeville, NC

[Douglas A. Fullington, M.D.]

Steve,

Thank you for your very kind words. I know Dr. Fry. We wanted her to come work with us at Goldsboro Medical Clinic. I am happy to here that she stayed in the area. She is very knowledgeable and one of the most personable physicians you will meet. I know you are in good hands. I am glad to hear that you are eating your greens.