Come on, you know you’ve had some sort of biking experience this week. Go somewhere fun? Find a new path? Get into some trouble on the road? Run over a squirrel? No matter how big or small, we want to hear about your cycling week. Help make this feature successful by writing a comment!
Good morning everyone! This week has had some great rides and some great times with friends (Brad I’m looking at you). I love the way that the bicycle connects us with other people. It does not matter if you are a commuter, spandex warrior, or dirt jockey. It seems that when you are on a bike and enjoying the day you can not help but share the experience with who ever will listen. This does not necessarily mean that you strike up a conversation with someone it can be as easy as ringing your bell in happiness to who ever is listening. It is on this note that I will report on this week.
Last week I was heading home from work on my beach cruiser. I usually do not ride my cruiser to work but due to injury have had to ride it more since it is upright sitting and has a coaster break. As I was coming down the hill on University Parkway some one on a fixie passed me I did not think much of it and just kept cruising along. We both met up at the light at the bottom of the hill. I noticed he had a pretty nice bike and told him that. From there we started talking about my cruiser and bicycling in general. As we spoke the light began to turn green and I figured that this conversation would end when the red light did. To my surprise the other rider continued to ride with me for a good 1/2 mile or more before we split. He could have easily taken off and got to where he was going way faster instead we cruised along talking about the fun and dangers of commuting by bike. This ride stuck out to me because I was able to make a connection that never would have happened in a car.
To me this ride highilights some of those special benefits that come from using a bicycle for transportation. Not only are you getting from point A to point B while getting exercise but you have more chances to connect with your surroundings whether that be environment or people. I hope this week will give all of you an opportunity to connect with your surroundings in some way. Whether that connection be talking with a stranger, finding a shortcut, noticing an improvement that can be made, or simply noticing some flowers you have never noticed before. Also, please take the time to comment on these reports. We have heard a lot of feedback saying that many of you like these reports but, the only way that they are really successful is if you add your experiences. For many of you school will be starting soon whether you are a professor or student I hope that you take advantage of your last bit of free time and get some awesome rides in.
