After a move across town, over the other side of Diamond Head, my bicycle only saw a few trips down the street to Kahala Mall, less than a mile round trip on a completely flat road.

For the last month, I stared up the other way at daunting Kilauea Ave and never gathered the courage to cycle into town. Through the end of the year, I explored the neighborhood just once by foot, and navigated mostly by car – it became clear over time that no matter which way I biked, I was going to hit hills.

In my old neck of the woods, Makiki, just a few blocks from Punahou school, it seemed I had access to all neighborhoods within 20-30 minutes by bicycle. Now that I was living on other side of Diamond Head, I thought that I would have to make major time adjustments to bike travel plans.

Yesterday, I had an appointment in town and wanted to give myself an hour for travel. I tumbled onto the street (late, of course) with 45 minutes ticking and realized that my tires weren’t fully inflated and circled around. On second departure, I had 40 minutes to make it. I shrugged off the urge to throw in the towel and drive. Slowly, I started my pedal up Kilauea Ave.

Two minutes later, I’m pushing my stead up the hill, sweating bullets, and wondering just how late I was going to be.

But then, after the crest, I coasted down to Kapahulu, continued my way on Date St., side-wiggled McCully onto Young, and at just under 30 minutes with 10 to spare, I parked my bike and looked at the time with relief and a smile.

Now in retrospect, it makes sense, our move was 4.5 miles across town. It naturally doesn’t mean that everything will take 30 minutes longer, even with a big hill. Just 2 years ago, cycling in San Francisco, hills became a non-issue over time. How quickly I’d become a softie.

Well, so there you have it – no wimping out this year! If you haven’t logged your first ride this year yet, get on it! Happy 2012 everybody!