Once again I have to thank the Downtown Billings Association for loaning me a sweet Cannondale 24-speed bike from their ongoing Loan-A-Bike program. It is a lot like taking a book out of the library... you give them some information and they will loan you a bike free of charge (unless you fail to return the bike on time). This weekend I rode from the gravel parking lot across the street from the Billings-Logan International Airport to Lake Elmo.

I can honestly say this was the most challenging bike ride I've ever been on. While 18 miles is a good long ride, if the terrain were flat it wouldn't have been quite as brutal. The route took me from the airport past Swords Park then west along Alkali Creek Road up Senators Boulevard (a wicked little hill to climb) down Governors Boulevard to Constitution avenue to Nutter Boulevard, Lake Hills Drive and eventually would its way to the North shore of Lake Elmo (I snapped the pic above looking down the hill from the west side of the lake). I got smart and just took Lake Elmo straight down to Swords Park and back to the airport. The last 3 miles are mostly uphill. I'm still tired as I write this but I broke a personal record and I'm still basking in the glow.

If you're looking for ways to get in or stay in shape I recommend biking. If you don't have your own bike borrow one from the Downtown Billings Association's Loan-A-Bike program. It beats the heck out of going to the gym!

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