It's springtime, and that means those who ride bicycles will be dusting them off and hitting the streets. I've always ridden bikes, including through my "drinking years" in college (I'd head off a hangover by riding 20 miles a day), nearly every day through working bachelorhood and less frequently but when I can now. I feel sorry for grown-ups who don't have bicycles because they are fun, health-inspiring and not that expensive anymore for a semi-decent one.
However, I am in awe (like, the bad kind) of adults who decide they want to be cyclists because their behavior turns into obsession. They wear brightly colored cycling outfits and have pointy, aerodynamic helmets. They've dropped a couple grand on a road racing bicycle. Their road manners are a mix of danger and obnoxiousness, ignoring stop lights and feeling invincible against 18-wheelers. Most of their friends are cyclists, their bulky SUVs have some sort of expensive convoluted rack system and they down energy bars like there's nothing else to eat. It also is obnoxious to dress in such serious apparel and then ride on a pedestrian trail, nearly running over moms with strollers and dudes with dogs. No serious cyclist should ride on a trail. Have some balance, people!
I've got a mountain bike I bought 10 years ago. I've ridden it on roads, on back roads, on dirt roads, on mud roads, on the beach. It's looking a little rough, but it's still in great mechanical shape. Never once have I wished for a pointy helmet or brightly colored cycling jersey while on my bike.
Here's why you should be biking (for fun), too:
It will net you gobs of energy.
You can actually see things while you're on a bike that you'd never notice while in a car.
You might lose weight or at least get heart-healthier.
It's not hard on your joints and knees (unless you wipe out).
You could save money on gasoline (yikes! regular unleaded is now about $1.95 here!) if you use your bike for short trips.
You'll start "sharing the road" with (even the obnoxious) cyclists, and actually not try to run them over like I bet you have before.
You might make a few new friends.
You'll stop watching so much TV when the weather's nice.
Biking doesn't have to be an expensive hobby. A "decent" bike can be had for less than $200, and a helmet for about $50. Wear comfy shirt and shorts/pants. That's about all you need. Good, used bikes can be found for even cheaper.
Biking can make you feel younger, happier and sexier. Those alone should be enough.
You might even try borrowing or renting a bike to test your pedal mettle before shelling out bigger bucks for your new hobby. Be careful out there!
Ha! I just got my 10 year old mountain bike tuned up and prepared for summer and the men at the store kept recommending that what I really needed was this fancy schmancy road bike.
Um, but this one works just fine.
Damn! After that title, the post was a bit dissappointing.. ;)
Don't shoot me, but I filled up right ouside Houston last night for $1.59.
I have a 10-year old Schwinn myself that I adore, but I only ride around the beach near my house.
I have a bike that sits on my balcony collecting dirt. I haven't ridden it in almost a year.
I have a bike I ride when we go out with the kids....and then, I have THE BIKE. I adore it. egovehicles.com baby! IT's fun, it's quiet, it's great on the environment! And it's red, too! :D
Hubby and I have bikes we bought from the mid-60s couple next door. They bought 'em and never rode them, and now we are following in the same fine tradition.
I think what you say is true for any exercise in the great outdoors, though. We played tennis on Sunday at the courts across the street, and it felt great to be out in the sunshine doing some good old-fashioned physical activity.