Phoenix Triathlon TEAM

As people who are close to me know, I absolutely love cycling; in fact, I am starting to consider myself a cyclist who also does triathlons. Some weeks I will ride up to four days, even though I have to split my cycling time with swimming, running, and strength training. I live on the outskirts of the City of Phoenix border (currently the sixth largest city in the U.S.) and work in Central Phoenix, but I still have been known to hop on my road bike and ride in to work to get those extra cycling miles in mid-week. I chose my route to be exclusively bike lanes, bike routes, and my favorite, the canal. My stretch on the canal is unique because it is paved, closed to vehicular traffic, and has underpasses going under every major and most minor roads, so you can, well, just go! There is even an underpass for the notorious I-17, well known for its share of traffic jams and pile-ups.

With a salaried position at work that can require long hours, two demanding pre-teen children, and a challenging workout schedule, getting to ride the 17-miles to work is definitely a privilege. When the window of opportunity comes around, I excitedly pack up a backpack with the day’s necessities and start the journey with a smile on my face. More often then not, as I prepare to cruise under the I-17, I can’t help but notice the long line of cars waiting their turn to move a car length or two forward before they have to stop again. I’m sure none of them feel the joy that I do on my two wheeler while they are sitting in their fossil-fuel burning machines built for speed but limited by everyone else on the road at the same time heading toward a similar destination. And at that moment, a smile creeps across my face as it occurs to me that sometimes, two wheels really are better than four.