Since I now have a bike, that oddly gentle British way of telling someone to bug off doesn’t seem such a bad thing.

Like the phrase, cycling is an oddly gentle exercise. My joints, which have been with me for some time, now protest after I repeatedly throw them onto the pavement. And bike riding on the flat makes you feel like you’re twelve. Every time I’m toodling around for any length of time, I get the urge to veer off of the pavement and go overland.

How many people actually sit staring at their side yards at any given time? Surely I’d be down the block before they made it to the door. I haven’t actually done it yet, but the point is that, on my bike it seems reasonable. It feels comfortably non-conformist, much like driving stick and righting the world from second to third – not quite social justice, but exhilarating.

It feels comfortably non-conformist, much like driving stick and righting the world from second to third — not quite social justice, but exhilarating.

When I went to a local bike shop, the young man who helped me seemed to think I would make the trial loop in the parking lot without falling on my face. I was not so sure. It had been decades but, in fact, you don’t forget.

I bought a Verve 1 Lowstep. It seems to do what I want it to , especially on level ground.

Hills, of course, are a different thing altogether. My neighbor told me to ‘just look at the pavement,’ and it does help. After a couple of weeks, I think I’m getting further up the hills before getting off to push.

I have now biked to coffee twice and to work and back five times. Yes, five. Everyone in my building has heard about it and will undoubtedly continue to be updated.

My plan is to ride on tiny streets and greenways. People in cars are not bikers’ friends, so I treat them with suspicion. I also ride to work as early as possible to avoid traffic. And I wear a helmet.

I suspect bicycling is almost a perfect exercise. It seems to give your legs, arms and core a workout. I feel a lot better since I started. This article does not sound the least bit fanatical to me.

A friend who taught and cycled in China for some years listened patiently to my cycling spiel then said, “You will fall.”

I didn’t want to hear it, but, on reflection, I’ve decided to place a basket on each side of the back wheel. I can pick up the odd carton of almond milk on my way home and, if what he says is true, maybe the baskets will mean the difference between a bruise or something that would keep me off my bike for a long time. The basket I have is this one, though I’ve rigged up a way to attach it to the rack installed over my back wheel. Can string tie connoisseur legitimately be added to a resume?

Since biking seems to come with a fascination with equipment, I’m giving you a detail photo before string tie enhancement.

I’m lucky that I have a quiet route to work. Even so, on my ride in the other day, I saw three people I know. Today, I met a man at a library event who works on the Strive Not To Drive project in my city and he bikes everywhere. His bike is an electric monster, with custom titanium things all over it.

When I looked at his display, I saw a poster for which I had designed the logo!

So biking is a conversation starter and builds community!

I may be getting ahead of myself, but if you have access to a greenway, quiet streets or a park, don’t forget about bikes. It’s easy, fun and who doesn’t want to feel twelve every so often? So, on your bike!

UPDATE (8/22/19):

This morning, on my bike, I passed a library patron I’ve seen on my way to work before. She smiled and said, “It must be Thursday.” I can’t quite tease out why this made me so happy, but generous, kind people are the best. Buy them coffee!!