The bliss of bike riding

For many people in our sedentary, car-obsessed society, seeing the city from anywhere but behind a windshield is a foreign concept.   It's a moderate exercise which can be sustained for longer periods without the boredom or being too easy or the fatigue of being too difficult.  And the things you can see!

I was careless with a bike when I was about 13 and it was taken or stolen depending on your opinion.  I left it unlocked behind some bushes at a shopping mall.  Since then my relationship with them has been complicated because I don't want to spend money on them to somehow make up for my error.  This summer I was fortunate to receive a good bicycle for free and the more rides I've taken, the more it has grown on me.

I would classify myself as a recreational bike rider.  I wear no helmet and my bike is built more for comfort than speed.  I often see speedy cyclists zooming around in the spandex and colorful shirts, with helmet and a serious focus.  I think they miss a lot.  I prefer to cruise down hills to feel the wind in my face and take detours into places I haven't seen.  I can bike through neighborhoods I wouldn't want to walk through.  I can look at historic houses for 15 seconds instead of the three or four you'd have in a car.  I see people walking and talking, hear dogs barking, cross over the river and back, and get sprayed by sprinklers.  I take the sidewalk until I can get in the street and then retreat back when necessary.  It's like being a kid again, before I was old enough to drive.