This morning I rode the Electra Amsterdam bicycle to the grocery store once again. The routine went much more efficiently than the first time, now that I knew where to lock it up and how to manage the logistics of groceries, saddlebags, helmet, etc. Piece of cake. When I got home it was just about time to leave for a client meeting about 10 minutes away in the Pointe-Claire Village. As I was about to don “the uniform” of suit and tie, I suddenly said to myself, “screw it, I’m riding the bike”…and in blue jeans to boot. Balsy!
Well, I did it. Arriving to meet the client, I apologized for my attire and explained to him the commitment I had made to weaving more activity into my daily life as opposed to “exercise”. He was very impressed; turns out he’s an avid road biker with some pretty fancy high-end equipment. He lamented how he rarely gets to ride anymore because of family and time obligations, and he kept nodding his head and looking enviously at the Electra.
Total ride today: 40 minutes, and about 400 calories…not bad and it didn’t feel like exercise, plus I saved some gas and got things done.
Speaking as a one-time marketing guy, your bike ride to the meeting was excellent marketing: you made yourself memorable, you impressed the client with your frugality (something clients like to see in contractors), and—bonus point—you actually hit the sweet spot of the client’s own interests (which you could not have predicted). Did you offer to let him take the bike for a little spin?
By: LeisureGuy on April 23, 2008
at 3:21 pm
He was in a rush to get to his next meeting, so I didn’t get the chance to offer him a ride. Nevertheless, fun as it was, let’s face it, you can only get away with that stuff at a certain age-and-stage, i.e. you have to be old enough and/or financially secure enough not to give a shit what anybody thinks of you!
By: Steve on April 23, 2008
at 3:39 pm
see!! see!!! It is totally doable. I save a minimum of 5$ a day just by not taking the metro to work, plus who needs a gym membership when the destination is usually up hill!
By: Ali on April 23, 2008
at 9:32 pm
I don’t understand why you couldn’t ride your bike in your business attire. We see that in Europe every day, after all it is an Amsterdam.
By: Italo on April 24, 2008
at 9:36 am
Actually, mine is a Damamster! One word: Sweat!
By: Steve on April 24, 2008
at 5:57 pm
You sweat just getting out of bed in the morning!!
By: Italo on April 25, 2008
at 8:38 am