I like walking to work. Or riding my bike. Rollerblading. Running. Gonna try kayaking (just need a kayak),long-boarding and XC skiing one of these days too. My current commute is 5-8 km depending on my chosen route, mode of transport and season. At one point, when I was teaching junior high I rode my bike 23 km each way. Yes, I do this in the winter as well (my record is -36 C w/o wind chill – not doing that again…). You may rightly ask, “why”? Let me explain with a few pictures and fewer words.

I happen to live less than 5 minutes from the largest urban parkland in North America (7,400 hectares or almost 20,000 acres).  That means for much of the year I can access trails and paths on my way to work.  This was not always the case.  One of the reasons we moved to our current house was to be closer to this jewel.

This is my Spring / Summer / Fall (Fall is my favourite!) ride home – sweet single-track to chase all my worries away, experience some eustress and leave the distress in my dust. Most days I put in a few extra kms just because – I mean, have you LOOKED at this picture?

Walking in the winter can lead to unexpected vistas like this one.  When I biked this way in the morning the stairs were bare.  In the afternoon you could taste the silence brought on by the new snow.

It is good to challenge Old Man Winter.  Especially on my winter-bike taking on big Alberta trucks and bigger egos.  Nuff said.

One more shot of a favourite trail.  You might say, “But I don’t live by all these nice trails like you do – it wouldn’t work for me.”  Phooey.  Everyone has options.  Get off the bus a few kms early or walk to a stop a few klicks away.  Park your car somewhere further away.  Ask others at work if they use active transport and get some tips.  Absolutely can’t make it work?  Take a lap around the office building at lunch!  Try moving yourself to work just once a week – guarantee you’ll get hooked. Your body, mind and soul will thank you.