N.E.W. bicycling and walking: Achieving your New Year’s resolutions by walking and bicycling

By Peter and Tracy Flucke

Special to The Press Times

BROWN COUNTY – By now, many of us have a list of New Year’s resolutions – get more exercise, lose weight, spend more time with friends and family, save money, travel more, reduce stress and live life to the fullest.

Sadly, roughly 50% of people who start a New Year’s resolution won’t complete it.

A walking and bicycling habit can help you achieve your goals.

Getting more exercise by walking/running and bicycling is easy.

To quote an old Nike commercial, “Just do it!”

Start slow and build to your goal.

Diet and exercise are keys to losing weight, so you can burn more calories by walking and bicycling.

The more you move, the more you lose.

Walking and bicycling with friends and family is a win-win.

With a companion by your side, the miles fly by, and you’ll make memories that last a lifetime.

Save money by driving your car less – walking and bicycling are almost free.

A good pair of shoes and an occasional tune-up for your bicycle, and you’re good to go.

Traveling by foot or bicycle are two of the best cures for wanderlust.

Moving at a different pace with the wind in your face will give you a new perspective and stimulate your imagination.

Trips big and small count.

On a bicycle, you don’t have to look for adventure – adventure finds you.

Stress is a normal part of life, and we’ve had plenty lately (because of COVID-19).

Feeling stressed? Go for a short walk or a bicycle ride.

You’ll come back feeling better than when you left.

Remember to keep your resolutions SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).

Tell a friend your goals, and ask them to hold you accountable.

And, if you fall off your New Year’s resolution wagon, take a breath, and then get back on.

You are human, so be kind to yourself.

It’s not about adding more miles into your life, it’s about adding more life to your miles.

Here’s our list of 2021 New Year’s resolutions:

• Stay healthy.
• Continue to log our walking, running and bicycling miles.
• Ride my bicycle as often as possible for local errands (Tracy).
• Ride a century (100 miles in one day) on our tandem and my road bike (Tracy).
• Bicycle to as many Wisconsin cities as possible (Peter).
• Start bicycle touring again (post-pandemic).
• Ride the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway (Green Bay to Prairie du Chien) on our tandem.
• Ride a double century with my daughter, Melissa (Peter).
• Drive support vehicle for Peter and Melissa’s double century (Tracy).
• Buy a new tandem bicycle.
• Assist local walking and bicycling organizations and efforts (e.g. Wello, Greater Green Bay Active Communities Alliance, City of Green Bay, Green Bay Safe Walk & Bike Plan, Ashwaubenon Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, Friends of the Fox River Trail – resurfacing project).

2021 is going to be a good year.