Life as a Peddle Pusher
There’s a delightful piece on NPR about the joys of riding a bike – not for personal records or trophies, but just to depressurize and stay healthy. Several years ago, I would have fast-forwarded such a segment, being one of those with feet firmly planted on the ground. Now, I get it.
The first time I experienced the highs and lows of cycling was when I bike-commuted to work. My job at the time was 10 miles from my house at the terminus of a 12-mile-long bike path adjacent to a freeway. I purchased a hybrid bike I christened Penelope (because she had a pink and black frame). I only commuted in late spring and summer when it was lighter for longer because it wasn’t safe to ride alone on dark evenings. (Or sometimes early mornings.) It also meant I arrived home around 6:30 p.m. soaked in sweat from riding mostly uphill on fat tires in blistering Carmel Valley heat.
But I loved that period of my life and especially the practicality of the bike. I wasn’t riding for sport; this was my primary transportation on weekdays. I felt freedom as I rode past rush hour traffic. The NPR piece maybe played down the dangerous side of bikes, and makes no mention of mechanical breakdowns that always happen when you are farthest from home or car. But that too is invigorating – problem solving on the fly. Bike riding is an excellent way to shed a little weight and a week’s worth of stresses. I would have kept it up had Penelope not been stolen. And I lost my job.
Now, I ride an e-bike on most weekends and occasionally an early morning weekday when school is out. My Marin Bike only works while pedaling and can’t exceed 25 mph, so it’s sanctioned on bike paths that otherwise do not allowed motorized vehicles. My goal is always to ride in manual mode as long as possible and never push above normal power so I’m still doing almost all the work going uphill. I’m not much of a daredevil, but I will push the distance or elevation gain or take a side journey on a whim. I have seen way more than I could if going the same distance on foot.
I know how a simple pleasure can become a gateway to more ambitious goals. I spent decades running for pure pleasure. Then someone suggested I sign up for a 10k Jingle Bell Run and everything changed. First it was the need to buy better gear (tights over sweats, high performance shoes, Gu, etc.). Then to improve speed and distance. It was all about training for the next big race and running became just another thing I needed to do. It was a lot like work.
If I’m not careful, cycling will follow a similar trajectory, especially since its low impact gives older cyclists some longevity. I won’t be satisfied with riding into 4S Ranch and back; I’ll sign up for a century to prove something (and not necessarily something good). I really, really don’t want that to happen. If I enter an event, it’s gonna be a fun ride – like Bike the Bay or the Scripps Ranch 4th of July Ride. Even Midnight Madness again.
I’m not going to lose my head like I did with running. No one will mistake me for a competitive cyclist peddling up (in eco mode!) that huge Black Mountain Road hill or rising up out of my seat at every speed bump along suburban streets. I’ll gladly keep it joyful. I’ll stay the course with my intentions. I’ll stay in my lane and ignore the suggestions of others who don't.
