As a child, I rode my bike everywhere: a pink, bananna-seated bike with streamers flowing from the handle bars and a white, plastic basket in front with pink plastic flowers permanently attached. I felt so chique, so stylish. My brothers and I rode to the shopping center, to school, to pick blackberries in the summer. I even rode to the dentist.
My favorite outing was to the bookmobile that appeared every week in the parking lot of the local shopping center. I got to know the librarians that sat amongst the air conditioned vehicle (I grew up in New Orleans where the springs, summers and autumns were long, hot and sticky). They got to know me and my reading tastes and would set aside books for me or make suggestions. I would proudly pull out my library card from my shorts' pocket and check out as many books as would fit into the basket. Taking off on a fully loaded bike, I would teeter and sway until I got my balance.
Next week is national "Bike, Walk, Ride to Work Week." And I confess to some ambivalence towards my bicycle these days. It's a great bike; I just don't know it really well. It's loaded with all the accessories for comfort and convenience. I love being outdoors and hearing the sounds of nature around me as I cycle. I see things I would otherwise miss.
But I hate the bike seat. Cycling friends tell me the only way to overcome saddle soreness is to bike more. I'm skeptical.
So, I've been thinking...what would it take to get me back in the saddle and riding again. What excuses do I have to eliminate? I have every reason to ride to work, shopping, the studio and church: I live only a short distance from all those places. I have a good bike, albeit with a cobweb or two on it. The cost is minimal to none and the maintenance is low.
Perhaps I need a riding buddy. Perhaps I need some encouragement.
Perhaps I just need to walk.
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