Some biking effort better than none

Ride along any of Naperville's bike paths and you'll never doubt the popularity of biking as sport and exercise. On closer examination you'll notice the increased use of these well-planned trails as means to a destination.

Throwing on a backpack, riding to the shops at Springbrook Prairie Pavilion for a gift and then stopping at Whole Foods for lunch before riding back home was never in my repertoire before. Sure, it may take more time than if I drove, and I obviously can't make any large purchases. But if you figure I would have worked out for an hour anyway (OK, might of worked out), taken time for lunch (and a healthy one at that) and accomplished an errand, well, then in my book it was worth it.

Finding out the practices of my friends and neighbors puts me at the bottom of the cycling totem pole though. From parking at the train station to riding 18 miles to work in Wheaton to arriving in downtown Naperville for a casual dinner, I realize have I have a long way to go before I can pat myself on the back for my bike excursions.

But I guess the point is any effort to use less energy and lead a healthier lifestyle is simply so much more gratifying than none.

Michelle Iskowitz

Naperville