By Peter Burns

Exercise Addiction

I have an Apple Watch that can track the number of steps I take everyday and how many calories I burn. I had the watch set for 10,000 steps a day and 1000 calories. For the month of April I accomplished that goal every day. This meant exercising for about three hours a day. Sometimes I took late evening walks to reach 1000 calories. I was obsessed. If you have it under control, exercise can be a positive addiction, but it can also take over your life. In the beginning of May I decided to cut back on exercise. I felt that I was going to get hurt and I was tired much of the time. It was the first time in my life that I was able I cut back by choice, not because of an injury. I stopped keeping track of my steps, bike riding miles, swimming miles and calories. I also stopped weighing myself every week. It was a big step for me. Because so many people struggle to get enough exercise, it is counter-intuitive that other people have to struggle to do less exercise. I still exercise every day, but now I limit myself to a reasonable amount of exercise. I believe I have an intuitive sense of what that is. I will still go on long bike rides in the summer and swim a couple of times a week, but I will not keep track of steps, mileage or calories.  

By Peter Burns

Pearl Street Ride and Emergency SOS

When I ride from Winooski to the Burlington YMCA, I go down Pearl Street. The pavement is in bad shape, and there are lots of potholes. It is difficult to avoid all of them. If my smartwatch detects a big bump, it asks me if I am OK. I have to indicate that I am OK and that I did not fall off my bike. Once, by mistake, I indicated that I had fallen off my bike and the watch called 911 as well as my emergency contact person. I had to explain to the 911 operator that it was a false alarm. I also had to apologize to my friend who thought I had been in a serious accident.

By Peter Burns

Spring Riding

In the winter, I ride just to get around town. As the snow recedes and the weather gets warmer, I return to riding for pleasure. Because I ride all year round, I have a base level of fitness which makes it easy to gradually extend my rides in the spring. I go a little further on each ride until I am back to my summer level of fitness. I am careful not to overdo it. 

By Peter Burns

Bikes Inside

I store all my bikes in my house. In the last couple of months, I have read many Facebook posts about stolen bikes. Most of those bikes have been in sheds or locked to porches. Keeping bikes inside is more secure than storing them outside. In the winter snow on the tires can be an indoor storage challenge. 

By Peter Burns

Winter Ride

On Sunday, January 16th,  I had a sleepover at the group home. I knew that the next day was going to bring a snowstorm. I could have walked to work on Sunday and then walked home on Monday but I like the challenge of riding in the snow. I enjoy adventures that I don't have to travel far to experience. Riding to work on Saturday when it was eight below and windy, and my ten below ride Sunday morning were also adventures. I was a little anxious about how much I was going to have to walk my bike in the snow, but I was fairly sure I was going to make it home. I brought my fat bike to work, which has studded tires.

By Peter Burns

Dressing for the Weather

Dress for the weather as it is rather than the weather you hope for. Sunny spring mornings can be especially deceptive. If it is in the 40’s with a brisk breeze blowing you are in for a chilly ride if you underdressed. Sun can quickly turn into rain or snow. Always bring along a waterproof jacket, just in case.  

By Peter Burns

December

Arm bicycle signals came from what drivers used before there were indicator lights on most cars. Not all car drivers know what the bike signals mean, so it is best to simply point in the direction you are going. When possible make eye contact with car drivers. Make sure you signal left turns with your left arm by pointing in the direction you are turning. Left turns are the ones that most affect cars. If you are going straight,  turning right, or stopping, a sign is not necessary because those actions don't affect the cars. If at all possible, take the center of the lane to turn left. 

By Peter Burns

Blow Dryer

I am susceptible to cold hands and feet. On cold days I  pre-heat my gloves, socks, and shoes before I leave the house. I have to be careful because if I put the nozzle of the blow dryer too far into a shoe the blow dryer can overheat and shut off. If my hands and feet are warm before I leave the house I have a good chance of keeping them warm, as long as I don’t ride too far. I also use heated mittens. They really make a difference. I have not found any heated socks that do a good job.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hint

Shift down before you get to a hill. On most bikes, it is more difficult to shift down when you are climbing a hill and putting pressure on the pedals. If you find yourself really out of breath when you get to the top of a hill you are in either too high or low a gear. The right gear enables you to get to the top of a hill at a slow but steady pace without either straining too hard or spinning your pedals. If you can’t find that gear you should get off your bike and walk to the top. As you get stronger, you will be able to climb longer and steeper hills. If you ride the same routes over and over again, you will get to know the best gear for each hill you encounter. Ideally, that gear will enable you to get up the hill with minimal effort.  Climbing hills takes effort but there is great satisfaction in making it to the top of a really bad-ass hill.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hints

A lightweight waterproof jacket comes in handy in a sudden rainstorm or if it gets cold unexpectedly. Make sure the jacket is actually waterproof, look for sealed seams. Bring it along even if you think you will not need it. A stuff bag can make the jacket easier to pack.