Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
Freddie Mercury 1946 - 1991
I decided a few days ago that if I’m going to ride a bike 100 miles in a little less than a year—I need to probably start riding my bike. At all.
I got the bike out of the storage closet downstairs, which was quite a bit of work, because that closet is very deep, but incredibly narrow; in order to get anything out, everything stacked in front of it needs to get out first. It took a decent amount of time to unearth the bike, as it was about halfway in. I rearranged some stuff, moving it back in the closet so that next time I could get the bike in and out easier. (Thinking ahead for once!)
Safety first. I never ride without my helmet. For extra safety, I never ride my bike, either.
Ready to ride after manhandling my bike out of the storage closet.
My plan was to ride south down my alley to the nearest cross street, and ride four blocks in one direction and then ride back on a street heading the other direction, repeat twice and then ride up the alley home. This would be about a mile and some change. These would be relatively quiet streets in the early afternoon when there aren’t many cars about. Easy enough.
I got on the bike and immediately felt unsteady. I pedaled a bit faster hoping that that would make me feel more steady, but it was only a marginal improvement. I rode out of my alley—riding very carefully over speed bumps and watching out for glass and nails. The seat was at the wrong height, so I got off and adjusted it. I got to the street, and seeing no cars, I began to ride. I took my first turn. I attempted to give the right hand turn signal and almost ran my bike into a parked car. I recovered and began to pick up speed. I was on a one-way street, so I stayed as far right as I possibly could without running into the cars parked there. A double parked car made it so that I had to go even further to the left. As I did that, a very large SUV tried to join me in the much-restricted lane. I hug the right, but they could not pass—they just sat on my wheel until I was past the double parked car. There was an empty parking spot just after wear the asshole was double parked (of course!) and I pulled into it so the giant Lincoln Navigator that honked as it passed me, could go. I went down to the next street. Took another right turn and quickly dead ended into my street at Bateman Elementary school. I took a right, I decided I would ride on this little one block circuit a few times, instead of my initial plan. I made one circuit before a work van came within a foot of hitting me as he turned out of the alley without looking.
Today was not my day. Two near misses and a queasy feeling as though I might fall off of the bike the whole time cut this already short ride down by at least half. I finished the circuit I was on, and then rode home.
Elapsed time: maybe 8 minutes.
Estimated distance: Maybe .5 mile
I was originally going to take a triumphant picture of myself having ridden for the first time in over a year. A little bit of unearned swagger from having ridden the first of almost 10,000 miles that I will need to ride in the next year to properly train for a century ride. I was too disheartened to take one, and I put the bike back in the closet.
My victory pose.
Pleasant upshift in tone:
I feel as though this and my last couple of dispatches have been pretty minor key. I am not despairing that I had a rough time on the road. I have not given up. I’m going to give it another try this week.
I also did some research into taking bike riding lessons, and I will send an email to an instructor this week to see about private lessons on relearning to ride a bike. Unfortunately I’ve missed the season for group classes given by the Chicago Department of Transportation and DIVVY bikes, but I will take one in the spring. Also, my amazing sister is going to buy me an indoor cycling trainer, so that I can ride all winter.
One of these guys. (Not necessarily this one)
Lastly, one of the main reasons I am making my project public is that I am too easily discouraged. It is my setpoint. While I don’t spend my entire life wondering what other people think about me, I am heartened by the support that y’all have given me. I’ve received many kind emails, phone calls, texts etc. offering help, tips, and just a little encouragement. It means the world to me.
Drop me a line: jeremydnichols@gmail.com
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