Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘My advice to others? Go out after work and explore on your bike.’

Dan Bailey, Glen Cove

“In the past five years, I’ve biked over 100,000 miles. Cycling is great for the mind, body and soul and gives you an avenue in which to stay fit while enjoying the outdoors. Lance Armstrong was my inspiration. After watching him dominate the Tour de France I decided in 2005, to bike-ride to work.

“On weekdays, I wake up at 1:30 a.m. [after going to sleep at 7 p.m.], eat half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, collect my water bottles and GU energy gels, and I’m out the door by 2:30 a.m. I bike-ride 26 miles from my home in Glen Cove to New Hyde Park, where I work from 4:45 a.m to 1:30 p.m. as a sanitation driver. On Tuesday and Thursdays, I do an additional 50 miles — and get only three hours of sleep. And on Saturday and Sundays, I do anywhere from 62 to 110 miles with a group called the Triangle Cyclists. When I arrive at my job, I’m loaded with energy and have a hard time sitting still.

Today, at 47, I weigh 138 pounds with 5 percent body fat, and 110/70 blood pressure. I feel great and hope others can get on the bike.

“At the end of my shift, I change from my work clothes back into my bike clothes and take a longer ride home: 48 miles! I go to bed at night thinking about riding and wake up thinking about riding, and that’s all the motivation I need. In 2007, I started riding with the Triangle Cyclists, eventually averaging 500 miles per week. They are an amazing group of men and women, always motivating one another. One special friend, Mike Bergman, who, sadly, died from a heart attack, called me ‘The Bunny’ after the Energizer Bunny because of my endless energy.

“Today, at 47, I weigh 138 pounds with 5 percent body fat, and 110/70 blood pressure. I feel great and hope others can get on the bike. Cycling is clean. There are no toxic fumes coming off of your bicycle like there are from a big diesel tractor trailer. I wish we could live more like the Europeans where bicycles play a much larger role in their lives. This would be beneficial in combating high blood pressure and our high rates of obesity as well as giving people a much higher sense of self-worth.

“My advice to others? Go out after work and explore on your bike. Absorb all that vitamin D from the sun. Let the freedom of two wheels take you places four wheels never could. You’ll then discover what living truly is!”

Interviewed by Saul Schachter

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