As a child who grew up in the country, I frequently rode my bicycle to town during summer to get ice cream or meet friends. Like many teenagers in my area, I stopped riding my bicycle the day I got my drivers license. Regretting those lost years, I bought a new bike last fall.
One of the Chicagoland trails begins on the same street our office is on, and I frequently come to work shortly before sunrise to get in a quick ride. On weekends I often visit other trails or explore the local one further. I have developed a great appreciation for the exercise, the wind in my face, and the solitude found on the bike trails when everyone else is still sleeping.
In a way owning a bicycle is similar to owning a musical instrument. It takes regular work to improve and consistent maintenance to keep it in good shape – and there are always fascinating new accessories to buy. The recent excitement of one friend in discussing her new bike pedals was matched by the excitement of another showing off his new saxophone neck strap.
This same saxophonist friend suggested I get a smaller case for my bari sax, but I prefer the protective one I have now, even if it is roughly the size of a small car. I had a gig bag for my tuba and learned the hard way that someone as clumsy as I am needs all the protection he can get. I would rather do what seems best for me than follow everyone else. To that extent, there are certain aspects of cycling that I plan to avoid as well. I will not ever:
1. Wear lycra. I understand that cycling apparel is designed to reduce drag and wick away sweat, but I would rather wear something comfortable than something so tight.
2. Get shoes that lock to the bike pedals. They work wonders for increasing efficiency, but I am more interested in being able to catch myself when I tip over.
3. Travel in a pack. Hardcore cyclists often ride extremely close behind one another (called drafting) to reduce drag. Cycling with others is fun, but I want them to be a few feet away, not a few centimeters behind me.
4. Bike through mountains. Al-though the reason for not wanting pedal up a mountain is obvious, what I didn’t know until recently is that going down is almost as tiring. Coasting down a mountain sounds fun, but it is necessary to hit the brakes frequently. If you go too fast, the break pads will overheat as they rub against the rim and can cause your tires to explode.
5. Ride on Chicago streets. I don’t care what the law says. Cars are bigger, heavier, and faster than bicycles, and right-of-way won’t mean much if I get sideswiped by somebody’s Hummer. I will stick to the trails and be content.
Whether you are a cyclist, golfer, or just someone who enjoys a walk on a sunny day, I hope you are taking advantage of the beautiful summer weather. I know I will be.
