Biking: it's more than a liberating experience.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008. (Originally from Facebook notes)

My new bike is a bright green, slightly rusted, three-speed, JC-Penny brand road bike. I bought it from an old lady for $20. I think she said she had it since 1979... so, its a thirty-year bike. It bikes fine. The brakes needs fine tuning and the chain needs grease but otherwise, I can put some good use to it. I haven't named it yet.

I biked to and from the gym today. Biking to the gym was ... interesting... because I hadn't ridden a bike for years. I was terrified that I was going to hit some unforeseen road bump and crash to my death (I didn't own a helmet quite yet) but luckily, I didn't. I am still alive right now and enjoying myself. Oh yes baby.

Anyways, it was the ride back that was the enlightening experience. As I was riding behind a chain of cars, I felt like I was so much better than them. Many of those cars contained only one person (all that useless space!) and I'm sure many of them are driving home from a workplace that is less than five miles away. A few trips to and fro would use several gallons of gas. There I was, pedaling leisurely away, spending time to myself for reflection and enjoyment, with the light breeze caressing my curly hair and cheeks, and I was purely depending on the natural laws of physics to get myself home. Free energy! (Well, at the expense of my leg muscles but I was getting a workout so my body was getting something in return.) As everyone else was burning fuel, jamming to their radio stations, and running the A/C, I was carried by kinetic energy, listening to tree leaves rustling and birds singing, and refreshed by the wind. Ha.

You can say I sound snobby but who's the snob in the Hummer that just went by? Is that really necessary to drive a Hummer to and from work? Well, I acknowledge that I didn't get a bike for many years but this was such an enlightening experience that I don't mind even giving up my car (however, wait til December hits before I write that in stone :-) Everyone should get a bike, get outside, and just enjoy the simplicity of life. Appreciate mother nature.

In the meantime, recycle, plant some herbs, buy from local grocers, and carpool. :-) Okay I'll stop. I sound like a dork.