Someone is bicycling.* He does this in the early morning hours before it gets too hot. Last weekend I joined him; it was the first time I’ve been on a bicycle in maybe ten years.
The expression ‘It’s like riding a bicycle’ is not valid – at least not for Urs Truly. Since the last time I surmounted my bicycle it has developed more gears than I recall it having. I needed instruction how to use the brakes and gears; I was told not to change gears when not peddling – or is it the other way around?
Bicycle rides in my childhood were pleasant leisurely endeavors consisting of frequent stops to chat with the neighbors who happened to be outside. No one wore helmets. We fell at times but no one was terribly injured. I remember Brother #3 being in a add-on seat the type nobody would approve or use these days. But we survived and we had fun. Bicycle rides nowadays seem to be all about going as fast as possible to get to some undisclosed place, more’s the pity. I rather like the notion of a slow sightseeing cycle-tour but I fear these went out with banana seats.
I slowed Someone down as I wasn’t used to things. We live in an area with some slopes. He constantly called out to change gears or keep pedaling and don’t pump the brakes too much. The latter I was doing often.
Alas there wasn’t much to see. Even at 8AM in the morning it is quite hot and there is no one outdoors in their yards to stop and chat with. There was not much to see. Our sub-division consists of monotonous brown-painted homes. Even if there were sights to see or neighbors to meet I was too busy trying not to fall over.
The first time is the worst they say. I am certain I will do better and become at ease with experience. In time I will no doubt figure out the gears and perhaps even get the helmet to stay on proper. If bicycling becomes a regular past time I may invest in some accessories such as a tin bell and streamers for the handles.
*I avoid the word ‘cycling’ as it conjures up rapid bipolar mood swings. I have enough of that sort in my life already.
26 comments
August 7, 2017 at 9:13 AM
Ron
What a coincidence! Just this morning I took a short ride on my bicycle through the neighborhood. The second time I’ve done that this year. I bought this used bicycle from a neighbor last year and promptly fell off of it and injured my right leg and scrapped my left arm. I hadn’t ridden a bicycle prior to last year since I was fifteen years old, SIXTY YEARS AGO! Then I rode a bicycle when I delivered newspapers as a paper boy from the time I was ten years old until I was fifteen years old. All that time I never fell off my bicycle once. Now? I’m nervous. Be careful riding that bike. Don’t fall.
August 7, 2017 at 11:25 AM
Urspo
YOU don’t fall.
August 8, 2017 at 8:14 AM
Ron
Would LOVE to see a video of you riding your bike. Do you wear your Brunhilde helmet or that white construction hat?
August 8, 2017 at 1:28 PM
Urspo
I wear a awful blue plastic thing that resembles a half walnut with the meat removed
August 7, 2017 at 9:37 AM
David
We can’t wait to see you in spandex and riding gloves!
August 7, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Urspo
I see these sorts on Saturday morning. They bicycle in groups, all with their butts up in the air, clad in black spandex pantaloons. They are heart-warming spectacles. No way Jose am I going to get into one of those tights.
August 7, 2017 at 10:26 AM
anne marie in philly
WHY don’t they make banana seats any more? so much more comfortable for adult-sized asses.
August 7, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Urspo
I thought they were really groovy too.
August 7, 2017 at 11:51 AM
truthspew
When I was a kid my bike was my access to pretty much everywhere. We’d ride out to Lincoln Woods, or everywhere else. And then there was the need for speed. No helmet – just a bike with a speedometer on it. Started on High Service Avenue in North Providence, RI and peddled like crazy so I was at about 45MPH or so at the top of the hill. Near the bottom of the hill I hit 70MPH. On two wheels.
I’ve always liked going fast.
August 7, 2017 at 8:29 PM
Urspo
You fast talker you
August 7, 2017 at 12:52 PM
Old Lurker
Leisurely bicycling still exists. It may be that you and Someone have different goals when bicycling.
After a hiatus of well over 10 years I took up bicycling again. Now it is my main form of transportation, given that I am too broke/cheap to afford public transit. I also biccle recreationally, but my goal is completion, not speed. In fact I prefer bicycling alone to bicycling with a group because keeping up with others is stressful.
It is worthwhile to learn how to use your gears properly. If nothing else trying to go uphill in the wrong gear can be very hard on your knees.
I agree that cycling through subdivisions is boring. It is much nicer to cycle in rural areas where you might see javalinas.
August 7, 2017 at 8:29 PM
Urspo
I wonder if a cyclist can outpace a javelina. I doubt it
August 7, 2017 at 2:06 PM
Robert
You’re brave! Well done! Bring back the banana seat!
August 7, 2017 at 8:28 PM
Urspo
Along with the 70s clothes and hair styles
August 8, 2017 at 3:28 AM
anne marie in philly
hear hear; and disco music! 🙂
August 8, 2017 at 3:29 PM
Robert
Maybe reinterpreted versions 😎
August 7, 2017 at 9:41 PM
wcs
Don’t forget to use a clothespin (wooden, of course) to attach a playing card (preferably the ace of spades) to your front fork (or is it the back?) so that it makes an awesome noise (like a motor) against the spokes when you pedal. Coolness, squared.
August 8, 2017 at 3:29 AM
anne marie in philly
gawd, I remember doing that; front and back wheels had a “noisemaker”.
August 8, 2017 at 1:19 AM
Practical Parsimony
I have not been on a bike in 20 years or more. Plus, I have never ridden a bike with gears or hand brake. I like to go fast to feel the wind in my hair. However, just puttering along and NOT talking to people would be my goal. Be careful and don’t fall off. On my blog I will tell the story of the last time I fell off my bike which had not happened in 30 years.
August 8, 2017 at 2:24 AM
Mitchell Block
I love cycling. Haven’t been on a bike in a long time. I DO wonder if it really is as easy as… I have a feeling I’d be like you. What are all these things?
August 8, 2017 at 7:28 AM
Autolycus
This is one of the things for your “things I just don’t get” list- why some people imagine riding a bike is only ever about trying to pretend you’re in the Tour de France. I’ve only ever been a “pootle to the shops” person, no helmet, ordinary day clothes – no Spandex/Lycra, and no need for speed and performance measurement. But then, I’ve never particularly wanted to own a sports car, either, which is where I suspect the whole mad MAMIL* thing comes from.
*Middle-Aged Man In Lycra.
August 8, 2017 at 10:06 AM
larrymuffin
I had no idea you fellows bicycled, what a discovery, trying to picture it. What’s next, pole dancing?
August 8, 2017 at 1:27 PM
Urspo
I take it you see bicycling as an activity on the same level as pole dancing ?
August 8, 2017 at 2:27 PM
larrymuffin
butt (excuse the pun) of course it’s athletic.
August 9, 2017 at 3:41 PM
Willym
Don’t forget to fasten a playing card to a spoke with a clothes pin. That way you’ll sound like super-sonic airplane taking off.
August 10, 2017 at 4:48 AM
Paul
Now stay off what we in the UK call the pavement and what I believe is in the US called the sidewalk.
Cyclists on pedestrian pavements are my pet hate no. 542.