I feel so alive!
See, when I was younger, I was a huge cyclist. I was the best of the best of the best of the neighbourhood. I was the kid who could go faster than anyone, could go slower than anyone without falling down, could do all the tricks in the book, and was generally considered the bike master. I loved my bike. I never walked anywhere or got a drive, I RODE. I kept it on the hardest gear at all times, and relished the hills. I lived and breathed my bike.
Once, when I was perhaps 14 or so, I participated in a charity bike event in which we did 130km in a weekend. There were hundreds of bikers in attendance, and I heard rumours circulating that there were something in the area of 150 professional bikers floating about. When I was finished, I was greeted by some surprised looks. Why? Because I, the 14-year old scraggly kid with a busted up bike, had arrived somewhere in the area of 30th. Looking back on it I’m very certain that the majority of people there were going at a leisurly pace, but at the time it was an enormous ego boost.
And so it was, until sometime in mid-junior high, when my bike broke. I was devastated, but at the time neither I nor my family could afford a new one. And so it has been. I had to start walking. I’ve always hated running, and so, over the years, you can actually trace my descent into unfittitude. My weightlifting has kept me in good shape, generally, but my cardiovascular system has been steadily deteriorating. I’ve turned into a big, slow, lump. Mind you, I don’t mind being slow, I think it suits me. But having a healthy heart is important.
But no longer. Tonight, I went out, and I got myself a cycle. It’s a $130 not-bad bike which lists to the right, but it dosn’t matter. When I have more money I’ll get myself a better one. For now, I’ll get back in shape. I’ll be stronger, I’ll kill fat, I won’t have to ride the bus anymore, and so I’ll save money! I bought a bike as a finacial investment!
The ride home was the hardest one of my life, and this is when I realised just how far I’ve gone down. I was always slow moving at everything, except cycling. Having to keep it on a lower gear just to keep moving was something of a turnoff, but I realise that it’s been many years since I last set my feet on the pedals. I’m not gonna get it back quickly or easily, but I will get it back.
And let me tell you, I relished it. I feel great. I’ve been back on the seat, running under my own power. And that’s how it’s gonna be.
Of course, you realize that it’s only a matter of time before you start going off on rants about how evil modern “car culture” is, while at the same time admonishing all drivers with a holier-than-thou attitude about how you’re not polluting AND you’re saving all this money, threatening cab drivers with a krypto through the windshield, and hanging out with a buncha guys with weird hair and names like Bones and Migrane.
Welcome back to the fold, Mnementh. I’m sure it won’t be long 'til we hear of you debating the relative merits of carbon fiber over steel over titanium in some of the cycling web boards. Just remember to keep the rubber side down!
smiles Good for you… I dug my bike out again recently (after languishing in Dad’s shed for the winter) and have been enjoying biking when I have the time to bike somewhere. I also realized how little I use my bike… I’ve had it for a few years now but it looks about new. I gotta get out there more!
Every time I take it out, it’s getting easier. Once the ground is drier, I’ll start trying my tricks again.
Sorry guys, but my trick will always be my knives… the cycle’s great, but it can’t compare to a blade.
No matter. I’m saving money, saving the environment, and getting exercise, all while risking life and limb on the roads. Damn car drivers… Man, Migrane has some STORIES about those car drivers!
I hate you all. Sorry, my bike’s temporarily out of commission, and the part it needs won’t be in until Monday. Then it’s back to taking my life in my hands in the traffic of downton Boston just for the fun of it. But until then I’m just going to sit here and feel bitter and jealous towards all of you guys. Oh, and maybe soon I’ll have some spare money, which is a problem my bike is pretty good at fixing (“oooh, look, it’s a Pearl Izumi jacket, you need one of those… and a headlight would be cool… and those nice Avid brakes…”). Actually, I do plan on getting a rearview mirror soon, as I do value my safety more than I used to for some reason.
