Get more exercise

I gave up on the “found” bike. I bought a new bike from Walmart, on clearance. It cost $40! It’s a purchase I’m very proud of.
We also bought new bikes (significantly more expensive) for our kids. Last week we spent time in Bristol riding. We did this twice. I was tired but not exhausted. Then I rode my bike accross town to my inlaws, a 10 minute walk, and I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. The route is along a slight upgrade, so I was horribly winded. Then I used it to go uptown and pay on my heating bill, which also wore me right out. Saturday, I took the kids out for fun again.
Why is it easier to ride the bike for hours as long as it’s for fun, but doing a 15 minute chore on the bike seems to take much more out of me? Funny…
So if I can keep this up, I’ll get some nice exercise!

Last summer / fall, this bike was left on the other side of my house, the side that rides right along the boundry line. Understand, I never use this side of the house except to mow it so my neighbors don’t become offended by high grass and weeds. The bike has a lock wrapped around the seat post, so someone at some time must have kept it locked up. I figured it was one of the people who live in the apartment buildings that share that boundry with me, so I stood the bike up in plain sight and let it sit there.
It was in view of the road as well for months before I pulled it more onto my neighbors yard. Then it was gone. I hadn’t gone back to investigate, since I was done mowing for the year, so I forgot all about it. Now it’s Spring, and I finally mowed my yard for the first time, in late May.
Imagine my surprise to find this bike pushed further into the bushes of my yard! It was hidden, buried in snow, all winter! This tells me for certain my neighbors do not own this bike, and that they don’t appreciate it on their yard. In fact, no one walking by on the sidewalk claimed it either. I would have thought if the owner hadn’t happened by and seen their bike, someone else would have stolen it, right?
My plan is to bring it by the police station, and see if anyone reported it stolen (maybe I’ll make this a goal). In the meantime, I got to thinking maybe this is some sort of sign. Not from God, because I’m certain He has better things to do, but maybe by Fate. So, I took the bike out for a ride! I got me some exercise, and finally gave that poor neglected bike some use! After I get this bike back to its proper owner, I’m seriously considering getting myself a bike to tool around town. Why not? Something thinks I should have a bike.