Seven years ago I made a decision that would exponentially improve my life. This single decision lead to better health, more energy, increased fitness, it lessened my impact upon the world, and increased our wealth significantly: I decided to cycle my 15-mile commute.
I’ve made a lot of changes since stepping onto the path to Financial Independence seven years ago: embracing minimalism, cutting out the waste, understanding happiness, learning about investing in assets, and much more besides. Each change has had a significant positive impact upon my life but that one decision stands above them all.
That first commute was an adventure. I cycled in on my old mountain bike. Not sure of the route, I had to explore my way into the city. I found a wonderful cycle path, that ran through the countryside next to a railway cut, taking me most of the way in. It took me over 2 hours to find my way to work and I loved every second of it.
Finding Freedom
About a month later I bought my first road bike and fell deeper in love with cycling. It took me back to my childhood. We used to cycle everywhere as children, just like they do in the Goonies or ET. As a group of friends we would cycle to the local town to buy sweets, go to the outdoor swimming pool, or visit family. We were out all day long. No mobile phones in those days, just a coin in our pockets for emergencies. Our parents had no clue where we were. We had such freedom.
Back on a bike and the feeling of freedom came flooding back. I perfected my route and I got stronger and faster on the road bike. I loved my time in nature at each end of the day. My cycle commute became the highlight of my day. Slowly I connected with nature. The seasons felt closer: fresh Spring mornings filled with birdsong became hot bright Summer evenings in shorts and T-shirt, colourful Autumn tree-lined paths turned into treacherous ice-covered challenges as the Winter cold penetrated through layers and bit into bone.
Sometimes I would find myself laughing out loud as waterfall like deluges soaked me to the skin. Other-times I just wished to be home as I climbed the long hills in a stinging hailstorm. Whatever the weather, I learned to appreciate being outside and the shelter of home.
Enjoy the Journey
I learned the journey was more important than the time it took. My route ended up being chosen for maximum pleasure and beauty even though it was significantly longer than the direct route.
The contrast between the joy of cycling and the life-sapping frustration of being stuck in lines of traffic, polluting the world, getting unfit, and separated from the world in an air-conditioned bubble (on my way to spend the day in an air-conditioned bubble) was stark.
I sold my car and cycle commuted all year round. Loving every minute, even in the dark of Winter. I got fitter than I had ever been and stronger with each passing day. I became happier. Over the last seven years I have covered over 9000 miles on my bike. I have shared wonderful moments in the world with family and friends and explored beautiful new places on my doorstep. Time exploring the world on my bike has given me some of the most joyful, exhilarating, and fulfilling moments of my life.
Happier and Wealthier
Not only did this change in habits massively improve each day, it also increased our wealth. By removing monthly car finance payments, insurance costs, fuel costs, maintenance and tax payments we could increase our savings by an additional 15% of income. This change alone brought Financial Independence 5 years closer and increased our wealth by more than $100k so far (which is now invested and compounding).
Where the true value is
With that connection to nature something else crept in. Slowly but surely I fell back in love with the world. I noticed the beauty surrounding me more and more. Each day began to feel like a vacation. The true value in the world, in its trees and birdsong, in the seasons and the ever-changing light became clear. The things we had been chasing, with conspicuous consumption, pointless trinkets in comparison. Buying increasingly expensive things had no lasting effect on happiness whereas getting outside every day always brings joy.
Finally I realised that as far as I can cycle is my garden. The world is all mine and all yours if you want.
The world is your garden.