My car decided it hates me- probably because I haven't washed it for a year, or maybe ever? I don't remember. Either way the fuel pump (I think) quit working, so as punishment I stopped driving it. I really showed 'White Lightning' who is boss. Now I ride a bike.
It is a one speed and doesn't belong to me, but I feel like we are already starting to develop quite the harmony. Today it took me an hour to get to work, but an enjoyable hour none-the-less. I forgot that jeans get caught in the gear. At one point I had to pretend I was stopping to check out some sweet nature, so the lady walking her dog didn't notice that my pants and my bike were embracing. Embarrassing.
I was surprised at the people who said, "Hi," and the people who didn't. The cute old ladies wanted nothing to do with me, but the burly running football player was more than friendly. I nodded at an old man who looked very frightened, only to see frightened change to confused. It's a big world out there, I guess.
The best part of the bike ride was my date. I pulled up to a street, littered with traffic (and trash). Directly opposite me was a cute girl, stopping at the exact same time, right across from me. The EXACT same time!!! I knew then it was fate. It was just too perfect. When it was safe to cross, we made eye contact, and (get this) we ended up in the middle of the street at the exact same time, right beside each other. Same pace, same location, same time. In other words, that is like bike kissing. Could it be considered my first kiss? That depends on how strict you are on the rules. I would argue that it was my first bike kiss, but that is a completely different category altogether. And those bike kisses from preschool certainly don't count!! I didn't get her number but I am certain I will see her again.
Lessons I learned: My backpack was too heavy. Don't bike kiss and tell. Front breaks are a recipe for disaster. Biking in the rain is fun, but dress appropriately. Biking takes longer than driving, plan accordingly. The other cute girl running who apologized for not seeing me, was definitely saying it out of jealousy of the bike kiss.
I learned a lot of lessons, but I can't forget the most important one. When you drive everywhere, you miss it. I think part of the reason we are so removed from life, is because we are too busy speeding past it. There is something so healthy about using your body to travel somewhere. You experience every inch. I'm not saying cars are evil (White Lighting you are evil), but I am saying that I believe life was intended to be experienced. It is hard to do that sometimes in a car. Bike more.
I don't proofread. Offer me grace.
2 comments:
That is one thing I love about going up to Crested Butte... Up there I bike or walk everywhere. Life slows down. I actually notice little wonders everywhere. I hope to someday live in a place where I will bike or walk 99% of the time. Life's just better that way.
Amen to that. My car is broken so I bike all over Arvada. 2 hours to Target and back? Worth it. Better if I had a trail though. I almost don't want to fix my car.
Plus Car Kisses aren't as cool as Bike Kisses. More intimate.
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