We’re eight days into April, a month that has become known to many in the Twitterverse as 30 Days of Biking, where riders pledge to ride every day of the month and document their efforts via social media.

I did not plan to sign up for 30 Days of Biking, but officially registered last week because I thought it would help cure what’s been ailing me of late– being sick of biking in the city.

Those of you who read this blog know that I like using my bike to go places. Usually when I ride, my commute becomes a mini-adventure.

Perhaps I seek out a street that I rarely ride down to alter up my route, or I check out an area that I have not seen in a while, just to remind myself what it looks like or see how it has changed. Spontaneous grocery runs to a store up the road from work or a meet-up for dinner by bike are not unusual.

However, over the last year I stopped appreciating my bike-centric lifestyle. I got sick of biking. Recently, I’ve been taking the most direct way to and from work. I seldom take the long way. I ride attuned to traffic, but with my head down. “What new is there to see,” says my jaded self.

Along came 30 Days of Biking and I told myself I did not need to register. Over the last three Aprils (2013, 2012, and 2011) I have ridden at least 25 days. It’s not like I’m not getting out on my bike.

But I then began thinking of how I could use 30 Days of Biking as an opportunity to bring adventure and enjoyment back to my urban riding. I signed up.

And guess what? To my surprise, it’s been working. Being part of 30 Days of Biking encourages me to pause and see something new on my regular route. Some days it inspires me to extend my regular ride in search of a new site to document. Every day I take at least one photo of my commute.

 

30 Days of Biking is just what the doctor ordered to help cure me of my sick of cycling sentiments. While spring’s colorful arrival has certainly been refreshing, it’s largely my participation in 30 Days of Biking that has rekindled my enthusiasm for everyday cycling.

The number of miles and days I ride has not changed (at least not yet), but 30 Days of Biking has given me a much-needed new set of eyes to appreciate my bike-centric life and the beauty of Washington, D.C.

To see more of my 30 Days of Biking, you can click over to my set on flickr, or follow my Instagram posts.