Well, friends, I’m back with another update on my most inefficient, most adventurous Ann Arbor exploration project. For those of you who might be new to this journey, here’s the quick recap: I’m riding my e-bike to every street in Ann Arbor in alphabetical order. I’m riding from my house to each street, appreciating the process. As of today, I’ve finished all the streets beginning with the letter C, bringing my total mileage to 2071.6 miles!
Though this project has some structure (after all, it’s in alphabetical order), by doing this, I’ve been able to curate some randomness and spontaneity. On any given day, I don’t know exactly where I’m going to go or what my route is going to be until I put the street into Google Maps and plot my process.
There are days when I feel like I have to check a lot of boxes: Are my emails answered? Did I call everyone back? Is my house clean? Did I text this person and set up our plans? Did I finish what’s needed next for the (conference, event, support group)? Did I do my German lesson?
These don’t always get done every day, of course, but I can find myself managing a lot in my mind. It has been nothing short of joyous to let a route be chosen for me and allow myself to be surprised by what I discover.
Slow projects like this one have a unique kind of magic. They remind us that not everything needs to be hurried or optimized. Sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that unfold slowly, letting us savor each small piece of the process. They teach us to appreciate the journey for what it is, rather than racing toward the end.
So here’s to slow projects, to taking our time, and to enjoying the ride—one street at a time. Ann Arborites, I’ll be down your roads… eventually. 
— Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 