I spent part of the past evening stuck under the roof of the bus stop. I hadn’t watched the weather report, unlike usual. Even with my raincoat as a staple, there was no way I was going to stay dry in this weather. I was stuck here, halfway from the bike shop. My bike had a shattered rear wheel. Three days to order a wheel and new gears to match. So, I took pause in the shelter and leaned back, listening aimless to the music from my I pod. While the rain continued to pour, I just had to think for a moment,
“Was cycling really worth all this?”
I did not enjoy learning how to ride a bike when I was a kid. I was a brat and was never one to take any risks, especially when there was a risk of scraped knees, bleeding and even the slightest pain.
I was a wimpy kid.
I admit not an admirable trait. I would probably laugh at my younger self for the ineptitude I displayed. To be fair, I had some excuse. I was a pretty sickly kid back then, so I was not a very active child.
We were staying in Pampanga at the time. My parents had bought my brother and I a couple of bikes. Mine came with training wheels. Now I may have been a wimp, but I also had my pride. The idea of going around with side wheels was not to my liking. Plus given the type of roads around, it wasn’t practical.
So I tried a couple of times, scaring my mom half to death, getting cuts and bruises to match but getting no nearer to learning how to ride. I think I tried for a whole day and then gave up. I used to quit really easily. Retreat was always the option! Wave the white flag!
The next day though, my uncle came by to visit. I really didn't want to let him down. So we took to the dirt road again, him holding the back of my seat. "Pedal faster!," he said!
Faster.!
Faster!!
Faster!!!
Suddenly, I was pedalling, like crazy, eyes wild open and screaming like a fool.My family all watching from the side of the road, cheering me on. I felt safe, confident after all, my uncle was right there behind me. I knew he was.
I just checked.
And then he let go.
AAAH!!!
Off I went. weaving like crazy. Eyes even wider than before. I wonder who screamed louder, me or my mom. Probably me.
But I didn't stop.
I didn't fall.
I had learnt how to ride a bike.
Finally.
Now what?
It would actually be more than a decade before I would ride a bike regularly again. I did ride a bit in my elementary years, but it had lost its sparkle and fun factor. By high school, it was just a skill you picked up as a kid and dismissed like tying your shoes. You just did it it the occasion required , but otherwise, no. But by the time I had moved back to the UK, it looks like riding a bike may have come to my rescue again.
Now I live pretty much near the office. How close? Try two train stops by way of the London Underground. A thirty minute bus ride. If you want to put it in financial terms, I would be spending over £2.50 per day, 5 days a week, 4 weeks on a month. It kind of adds up. But I didn't think of it that way until I began to realise two things. First, I had less free money on hand per month. No body would be happy in that position. And secondly, I was seriously getting out of shape.
But one day, one of my work mates Laura came up with an idea.
" Adam, why don't you cycle to work?"
Really? Could I really see myself putting on a helmet, cruising down the street, getting all sweaty , just to save a few pennies?
I bought my bike a week later.
21 speed, Carrera Subway 1.0 Hybrid bike.
Lightweight, and fast.
So fast it scared my just how fact it went the first time I took it to the road.
Sure I had to put up with the needling from my workmates and the stress of having to plan out my routes. Getting wet in the rain, sweating through two outfits a day.But it was ok. I was saving money and was getting back into shape, gradually.
Until some idiot stole my bike. Seriously, I had to travel half way across the world to be mugged off by some fool with a hacksaw? Just remebering that night still ticks me off. I felt really silly walking to the police station to report the crime. It came to little consolation that I was not the first victim in the office. I was still angry.
But three months later, I was tired of taking public transport. I could feel myself getting more unhealthy. I was getting restless and couldn't keep still.
I missed cycling.
So I bought another bike.
18 speed Raleigh Venture mountain bike.
Oh, I got two locks and insurance too.
So what is it about cycling? Why do I keep at it?
Well aside from the money saved and the health benefits, its the personal time.
In that twenty minute journey, I can shut out the world. On my way to work, I can plan out my day, reflect on life and just think things over. On my way home, I can take out my stress, look at how my day went and just lose myself to the quiet evening. It's never perfect, never the same, but it is the one part of my day that I can claim as my own.
The rain had slowed down to a reasonable level. I walked on to the bike shop. Paid the due cost of a new rear wheel and gears to boot. Shook my head at the prices (In these harsh economic times, one always reflects on the cost.).
But when they brought out my bike, all fixed up and ready. I couldn't help but break out into a smile.
"Hello old friend."
"Let's Ride!"
