 |
| Me, myself, and my machine London, ON April 2024 This photo originally shared on Instagram |
I admit I had been remiss in getting on the bike. Mild winter notwithstanding, I just wasn’t feeling it. The roads here have become overrun with street racers, and the near-constant cacophony of screaming engines and fartcan exhausts reflects the almost total absence of enforcement.
To be frank, it scares the daylights out of me. And I’m ashamed that I allowed the fear to keep me off the bike.
But a few weeks ago, I agreed to join a community ride. And that ride is today. So fear or not, I needed to take the bike - and my body - for a shakedown ride to ensure everything still worked.
Not 2 kms from the house, I had angry, naughty words for a motorist who blindly turned through an intersection into my path. I saw it coming - too busy with her phone - but still.
Regardless, it didn’t rattle me so much as it galvanized me to keep riding. We may indeed be surrounded by distracted, indifferent, and reckless drivers. But I’m not going anywhere.
The rest of the ride was lovely. The bike - an orange gravel bike that a friend suggested I name Tangerine Dream - performed beautifully, smooth and responsive and oh so freaking quick. I couldn’t wipe the stupid smile off of my face, and I reminded myself, after too much time on the sidelines, why I’ve always loved this sport as much as I do.
Soon enough I reached my turnaround point and stopped for some spontaneous shadowy selfie photography. I’ll often send my wife little photo-notes from the road, just to let her know I’m okay. Today I also needed to thank her for quietly pushing me to get back out there.
#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #cycling #cyclist #cycle #bicycle #bike #cyclinglife #bikelife #instabike #highbury #shadow #selfie #photography #apple #iphone #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded
Related:
Where rubber meets wood, July 2023
Let the bike season begin, March 2023
On-the-road selfie, October 2022
Lines by the side of the road, June 2022
Cast a giant (round) shadow, June 2022
Back in the saddle, April 2022
Let's roll, shall we? March 2022
The view from my handlebars, September 2021
The corn grows tall here, September 2021
The shadowed bicycle, August 2021
Wheel meets grass, August 2021
Riding my bike to see the corn, July 2021
Bright lights among the stalks, July 2021
The orange machine heads west, July 2021
Today was a day... June 2021
When cows become cyclists. Next Geraldo. June 2021
Hanging out with the cows, June 2021
Golden hour by the side of the road, June 2021
Early morning rides through the countryside, June 2021
Cycling from pink to orange, June 2021
Hitting the road, again and again, April 2021
Pink bike. Red protector. April 2021
And we ride... April 2021
Back to 2 wheels, March 2020
This is why I ride, May 2019
The first ride, April 2019
Where old bikes go to die, April 2019
Pink bike in a blue studio, August 2015
Kindly make room for cyclists, November 2014
Rolling out, rolling on, April 2014
Do bikes belong here? October 2011
Scrubbing away the years, March 2010
Where the rubber hits the road, July 2007
Cranked, July 2006
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment