I Just Started Bike Riding

hool: 18th Jun 2002 - 15:27 GMT

bike == freedom. after my first year of university, i moved out of residence and into a house in the city for the summer. i didn't know the city at all, and i was totally alone. then i got a bike, and was able to go and explore wherever i wanted, whenever. it changed my entire outlook on things. it gave me a sense of freedom and control. i love my bike. i think of it as my horse, my trusty steed.

Peter: 18th Jun 2002 - 18:55 GMT

i would ride my bike here in manhattan if the odds werent so high that id get crushed by a cab!

Becky: 18th Jun 2002 - 19:30 GMT

Nice story Tim! I love riding my bike around the city. Always wear a helmet! Please read:
http://www.beckyparty.net/pages/helmet.html

Tim: 19th Jun 2002 - 02:32 GMT

Thanks for the advice, Becky. However, I had my helmet a whole two weeks bfore I actually got the bike. My next move is to get a red, flashing light for the rear and a water bottle holder. I've been getting incredibly thirsty riding around even for short distances.
I've only had it a few days, but when I get on it now it feels almost like second-nature to be riding it.

Jamie: 19th Jun 2002 - 09:22 GMT

i want to ride my bicycle
i want to ride my bike

i want to ride my bicycle
i want to ride it where i like

Gaz: 13th Jan 2003 - 17:22 GMT

Hmmm, bike.

Peter: 13th Jan 2003 - 20:03 GMT

hmm, my bike:

Marc: 20th Apr 2005 - 07:34 GMT

man i didnt learn to bike ride til i was 10 and my first memory of it was going down a hill and instead of turning into my driveway like i shouldve, i just kept going, fell off the seat onto the fenderless back tire and made my balls very blue!! other big memory is just riding around with my brothers in circles on the street in front of my house listenign to peter gabriel on my brother's jambox.. i like that you conveyed the glee of first riding and it made me smile and miss my bike.

elaine: 20th Apr 2005 - 08:39 GMT

Re: I just started bike riding again recently when my car died and just before my back did. I am getting to the stage where I gingerly get on it for short goes again now. I totally love it, it's an english folding make, a Bonnington, in a beautiful VW period campervan kind of turquoise, and it authentically folds in 10 seconds or less and opens the same, which means you can take it in a cab or on a bus if you get fed up or drunk or tired or it rains or whatever. It is really beautiful to the extent that it is hard to ride along properly without people trying to have conversations with you, it's like having a good looking dog or baby, everyone wants to chat. With the one way system and the occasional pavement riding imperative and what not, bike riding here will make you a lawbreaker fairly early in the day

Rodney: 11th Feb 2006 - 22:46 GMT

Biking is awesome and you don't need a hi end bike to do it. Changed my life in many ways, helped me shed excess weight and has almost become a Zen trip for me.
Pity riders in the Big Smoke tho that also has it's bright spots. Here in Burlington it's close enough to the great outdoors that an hours ride puts you in the boonies, you can smell the grass, the trees, see critters and generally have a great time all the while cooling your jets.
Motorists are killer, thoughtless types who are equally deadly to pedestrians. Something about being behind the wheel that makes many pedestrians and most cyclists invisible. You might wish to ride with two bottles, one with water for you and the other with urine for thoughtless motorists.

Micah: 20th Feb 2006 - 20:29 GMT

Yay, bicycles! If you want to ride but haven't learned yet and are nervous, here is a great way that I have read about and observed: borrow or somehow obtain a bike that is a bit too small for you, and lower the seat all the way down, and find some grass and just push yourself along with your feet on the ground until you get comfortable with the whole balancing thing. Then when you've practised that a lot and are ready, just put your feet up on the pedals and give it a go! I've seen kids just do this out of the blue: never pedalled before and then suddenly it was as though they's been riding since day one. Wear a helmet. Oh, and if people are staring, just ignore 'em, they probably haven't ridden a bike since they were kids either. Have fun!