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Hey Keith.

I read with interest your post on the Paleofood list regarding bicycling to
work. It's something I'd very much like to start doing. I have not yet
started doing it because of a traffic dilemma. My office is located in
downtown Boise near the Boise River. On both side of the river is a
naturalistic series of walking and biking paths known as the Greenbelt. I
live about 10 miles/16 km west of downtown Boise - the Greenbelt quits
about halfway between my house and my office. Once the Greenbelt reaches me
I will be able to avoid the hazardous high traffic areas between me and it
(which I avoid like the plague); until then I'll have to make do with my
current strategy of parking a mile or so from my office and walking that
distance 2-4 times each day.

With that out of the way, here's a few questions and observations.

Bicycling to work would seem to be the ultimate solution for so many issues
facing the industrialized world. I once read that bicycling is considered
to be *the* most efficient mechanized form of transportation ever
conceived. It is also great exercise - I would even call it paleo "in
spirit" even if not in kind. If not for occasional weather issues (I would
say it's a feasible form of transport around here 8 months out of the
year), it could be considered almost "perfect".

During my youth I cycled daily and consistently. One thing I remember is
how tremendously strong and muscular my legs were - without the use of
heavy weight lifting. I've often felt that I could easily get by with just
a few good rides each week supplemented with a couple core/upper body
strength sessions. What has your experience been? Are you still performing
leg workouts of any sort?

And, just out of pure curiosity (and a very un-paleo question :), how long
does your commute take each day? If I recall, you mentioned 14 km?

Thanks,
Wally

P.S. - This might be an interesting thread to explore compatible exercise
strategies.

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