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.
