Bicycling for a better life
Why I Ride
Everyone must at one time in their life daydreamed of flying like a bird, soaring along feeling light in the wind. Biking is the closest we will get to self-propelled flying, with only a few square inches between you and the earth. Although it may be difficult to ride in a straight line like a bird, you can ride just about anywhere. I have a passion for riding. I can hop on at anytime of day and escape for miles and hours at a time. And it is good for your health!
Riding two or three times a week I usually ride solo. Although I do enjoy riding with others, biking to me has no schedule, I just like to go. It is my escape, my release, my freedom. A time to think and reflect. A time to learn to like myself. I have never joined an organized ride, I have no desire to win anything. And why pay for something that I can do any day for free?
I don't care about racing, never wanted to be a racer except against myself. I have nothing to prove or show-off. I wear plain clothing, no race-team advertising. I prefer to be invisible, I don't want to make awares. I am escaping. I don't live in dreamland, I don't even watch the tour de over there. I am all alone.
Most of my rides are day trips but I do enjoy traveling overnight by bicycle as well, especially with a tent. Pack all your gear and head down the road. As much as you plan there is plenty of the unexpected and unknown, and adventure with no protective steel shell. I ride year round in the wind, rain, and sun. It doesn't snow here often. Where if it does, take a break, why risk it?
Most of us of started riding when we were young. But we never really thought about it much. Imagine, we got to the point where balance wasn't even considered. It was our vehicle to escape home and explore, visit the cute girl from class or go to the store. Then for some reason it became serious - we have to have the perfect bike, clothes, computer, GPS, gear. Tune-ups, oiled chains, seat adjustments. Gears, lots of gears. It's been over twenty five years since I got "serious".
But I still love it! I change my clothes like Superman or Batman and jump on my bike and go - anywhere I wanna go for as long as I want. Obviously we don't care how we look - goofy looking people in our tights. But it's because we are free, flying like a bird!
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