1600 Calories...

     "Hey Thomas, come join us!  It's only 400 miles, through the mountains of Texas!"

     "No thank you.  Maybe another time" I replied.

     "Hey Tom, I once traveled from New York to Florida.  Then I crossed the Everglades and even slept at the edge of a swamp, near the Indian Reservation.  I'd love to do another trip down there.  Would you like to join me?"

     "Nope..." I said.

     "Hey Thomas, I glad I found you.  We're putting together a round the world tour.  First we'll travel across the USA.  Fly to China.  Cross through lower mongolia, then across the former Soviet Republics, all those --Istans, then make our way through Europe, then fly back to the USA.  We'll be in a group of 20.  Want to join us?"

     "I'll pass..."

     Each of these were snippets of actual conversations I have had with fellow bike riders, each one fit and trim, each one healthy and each one begging me to join them in their collective mania.  I ride, but usually for one of three reasons:  First, because I work so close to home; second, to accompany my kids; and third, whenever I let my testosterone fool me into thinking that I actually know something about cars ("Thomas, just take it to the shop!" my wife has been known to say).

     Tonight I received a kick in the side from another source.  A fellow church member - who is the same size as he was in high school - greatly encouraged me.  He works in the medical profession and bikes daily.   He pointed out that we burn 1600 calories a day just by doing nothing.  So when combined with a modified diet, the prospect of biking to work is intriguing.  There are few hills and the bike lanes and sidewalks are wide and safe.  We also have showers at my job.

     When all of our excuses have been defused, what do we do next?

     Always B Positive!