Finally!

We're almost halfway through May already and, I confess, I've had trouble getting my first ride in - between scheduling challenges and a whole bunch of rain. All of a sudden, 100 miles feels like a lot.

But today, TODAY, I finally squeezed 10 miles between the rain - commuting from my home in Lansdowne to get some work done at my church in South/West Philly (Calvary UMC at 48th & Baltimore, where I'm now the pastor after being a member for 25 years).

I've done the ride before but it felt great to get out - using the official Bike Route via Yeadon and SW Philly that avoids the traffic of Baltimore Avenue, and also takes you more safely west to Swarthmore and beyond if you're headed that direction. Thanks to relatively new bike lanes in Lansdowne (!), most of the route features designated lanes. Yeadon is the exception at this point, but you're mostly riding on wider streets and residential areas so it works pretty well (see pictures).

If I'm being honest, I doubt I would've opted to bike to work today if I hadn't signed up for the Bike/Hike - though I've been MEANING to since I started in July! So feeling grateful for the extra motivation, and feeling committed to making this particular commute a regular habit. God help me in July and August.

My journey of 100 miles began, FINALLY, today. Here's to the next 90 . . .

P.S. Thanks to everyone who's sponsored so far!

new bike lanes in Lansdowne

Calvary Church