Transition: Bicycle to Walking

Winter is finally setting in. Roads are snow covered or icy most of the time now. I will be walking from now through some time in March or April depending on when Spring conditions arrive.

Yesterday I made my first grocery run since the transition. I have been wondering how this would go. I knew my anxiety was going to have something to say about me walking to town with my big hiking backpack. I was right. I had several false starts. I would get all set to go, including several layers of clothing due to the cold, take on step out the door and feel intense anxiety/panic set in. I think it was the 7th or 8th attempt on which I finally got underway. Every time I put the pack on, it freaked out poor Boo. He went into hiding.

I was very tense the whole way to the store and back. I felt like everyone must be starting at this dude walking up the street in winder wearing a backpack. I kept expecting someone to stop and ask if I needed help. Horrors! I hoped no one would. As luck would have it, no one did!

All in all this went far better than expected. It was a four mile round trip which took about an hour and a half, not counting time spent in the store. That time should come down to about an hour and fifteen minutes after I have done it several times. Something just over three miles per hour is the best I can do even when I am in good shape.