Bike Ride

I went for a bike ride yesterday, for the first time in over a decade. I was inspired recently to try riding again—just for fun and to run errands in town—after reading David Byrne’s Bicycle Diaries. I had a bike hanging from the rafters in our garage ever since we moved in. We tried selling it at a rummage sale the month we moved in, seven years ago. It did not sell.

I took it down, filled the tires with air, dusted off the cobwebs, and sat down on it. The tires didn’t immediately deflate, a positive sign. I rode it around the block. The wind whipped in my hair. It was exhilarating.

I rode down the street about a mile and back. It felt liberating in a way that walking doesn’t. If you see something, you can make a decision to go check it out and get there pretty quickly.

I live in a small town, but the main street can be dangerous. For now I’m going to avoid it. If I keep riding, I’ll need a helmet.