Bike Smart Profile of Christine Peterson

I ride my bike almost everywhere – to work, doing errands, going out for coffee. And Kent and I enjoy bike touring and camping together. The mountains and ocean aren’t very far away, so we’ve had some wonderful adventures here in Washington. Last summer we rode over 200 miles (322 kilometers) along the Oregon Coast.

How has your bike transformed your daily life?

At midlife, many people begin to sense that life is closing in on them and that they have achieved less than they hoped and are struggling to come to terms with limitations. That’s been true for me, but riding my bike has opened up so many new paths to me, literally and figuratively. I’ve experienced a renewed sense of strength, joy, adventure and possibility.

What advice would you give to others who want to get started biking?

Get a bike that you really like: one that fits you and is comfortable to ride, and have fun with it. Find places where you enjoy riding, routes to places you want to go to that work for you. Ride at your own pace and comfort level. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need a bunch of expensive gear to get started – over time you’ll figure out what you really need. And if it rains? The weather is telling you to stop at a coffee shop!

Christine Peterson lives in Issaquah, WA, with her husband Kent and son Eric. She is a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and personal shopper for Safeway.com. You can read about how she and her bike got together on Kent’s Bike Blog.