Friday, May 15, 2009

Get out there

the horror ! I missed Bike to Work week whilst touring around Taiwan in one of those metal, 4 wheeled toxic spewing devises. Truth be told, I don't claim to be one of the holier than thou commuters that completely shuns automated transportation, riding my four stroke dirt bike (after driving it to the trailhead ) manages to install a perma-grin that lasts for days....plus I love the sound it makes when the throttle's opened ! Perhaps I can justify my motorized recreational habits by riding my bicycle some 1,500 plus miles to work every year. It's by far the most satisfying method of transport on a daily basis.

Bike riding, but more specifically, commuting is moving meditation, commuting by car is a supreme test of patience, having to be a slave to traffic lights, being hyper aware to avoid the mistakes of others..etc etc. It's the ultimate juxtaposition by being in control of your vehicle and it's space but having extremely limited control over your ways and means of movement. Time on the bike is time taking in your surroundings and turning over the pedals. Time in the car is super focused and at the same time, distractions galore abound. One of my favorite pastimes is sitting on my bike, perhaps on the bike path waiting to cross a street and just observing drivers "driving". Most are talking on the phone, some are checking themselves out in the rearview, digging for something on the passenger side etc. Doing anything to avoid the drudgery that is commuting by car.

I've preached bicycle commuting here before, but I'll say it again, if you can make it happen and it works in your lifestyle/schedule, etc....please try to get out there!

It you're not sure where to start, start here

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