2 Mile Profile: Chesla Seely-Anschutz

Posted: 07/28/2011

We’re more than two months into the 2 Mile Challenge for 2011 and the Alliance Gold Team has logged nearly 112,000 miles and replaced 14,700 car trips. To get to know the folks pedaling to promote local and state bike-ped advocacy, we’ve been profiling some of our Gold Team leaders, like Pete Beers in Virginia and Julie Viens in California.

This week, meet Chesla Seely-Anschutz. She’s been biking for so long she can’t even remember her first ride. For this Wisconsin resident, bicycling serves her wallet and her health. Here’s some of what she told us about why she joined the 2 Mile Challenge and the Alliance Gold Team:

“I live in a small town of just under 10,000 in the heart of Door County, Wisconsin. From my house, if you draw a 2-mile radius circle, it pretty much covers most of my town, Sturgeon Bay. So, it’s easy for me to bike instead of drive.

I have two part-time jobs, which I commute to each day. I take my bike most places I need to go. I live simply, but like biking and derive a good feeling from knowing that my little efforts are doing the environment some good. I also enjoy biking longer distances… putting on miles. Most people consider it exercise, but I don’t. I just enjoy biking. It’s my therapy!

Last year, I discovered the 2 Mile challenge on the Clif Bar website and signed up with the Gold Team. Even though the Red Team won, we sure gave them a run for the money! The 2MC has been fun for me to take part in and, this year, my husband and my youngest son are participating also.

Here in Door County there are lots of beautiful places and nice roads to bike, yet I’d like to see more bike lanes and paths, which would ultimately encourage more people to bike and be safe. I’m a member of a local advocacy group, Door County Silent Sports Alliance, and we’re, at present, working with the local officials on a county-wide bicycle plan.”

Join Pete, Julie and Chesla — Take the 2 Mile Challenge today!