I Want To Ride My Bicycle – Business Day 3
By Mitch Berg
Rode in to work again today.
I’ll confess – I was incredibly sore on Friday. I made it without throwing a knee or a ventricle, but since I haven’t done a lot of biking in the last five years or so, I was feeling it Friday night – especially since I went out for another ride in the evening. Owwww.
Sunday, Monday and yesterday were better, of course – much better. And the ride in takes almost exactly the same time as the bus.
I figure there’s going to be another week of searing pain. But it’ll be worth it in the long run. I hope.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Be careful, Mitch. Urban bicycling can be hazardous. Bikes are all but invisible to drivers and I’ve known a couple of people who’ve been seriously messed up.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Seconded. :-/
June 26th, 2007 at 11:19 am
You & I are close to the same age, I think. It shouldn’t take more than three days of good riding to break in those muscles.
I’m ambivalent on the value of bicycle helmets. I fractured my skull seven years ago while bicycling. Ran my head into a speed limit sign going about 25mph. If I’d been wearing a helmet I think I would have saved my skull at the cost of breaking my neck.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Be careful, Mitch. Urban bicycling can be hazardous.
Thanks. It’s been a few years, but I used to do a TON of it. Back in the late eighties, when I was working nights, I used to knock out 20-30 miles a day in and around the Twin Cities. And you’re right, it can be very dangerous. I’m careful, although I’ve got a lot to re-learn.
Bikes are all but invisible to drivers and I’ve known a couple of people who’ve been seriously messed up.
Very true. And I’ve known a few myself. I’m pretty careful (FAMOUS LAST WORDS ALERT), sticking mainly to low-traffic side streets, and streets with bike lanes. Not that that’s any guarantee, of course.
But thanks.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:33 am
I used to do a lot of biking around then too. You have to be very selective in NYC, but there are some good rides. If you ever get the notion, come to New York for the Five Boro Bike Tour sometime. It’s in early May, about 45 miles and they shut down Sixth Ave., parts of the Queensboro and Verrazano bridges, part of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. It used to be my first big ride of the Spring. Think I’d have to spend a little time on the stationary clown cycle to get in shape first, these days.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:35 am
I used to do a lot of biking around then too.
How do you find pedal traps big enough for the clown feet?
If you ever get the notion, come to New York for the Five Boro Bike Tour sometime.
Hey, that could actually happen. My stepson lives in Manhatten, and is getting married SOMETIME next spring. Might even be early May. Thinking about coming out there.
Will keep you posted.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:41 am
I was just in Manhattan. It’s so nice that they have an Applebee’s at Times Square for use rubes to eat at. Didn’t see too many bikes on the streets.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Anybody who bikes in Times Sqare is suicidal, Master. Though I saw some cross-country skiing there in ’96 or so when we had a blizzard.
You’re right about the Applebees. Keep the rubes away from the good restaurants. There’s also a Red Lobster and an Olive Garden in case you have an extended stay.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Mitch, do keep me posted on the travel plans. And if you’re interested in the bike ride give me as much advance notice as possible – I am no longer a young clown and will need to prepare!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Since I started working in downtown Minneapolis, I’ve noticed both sides of the invisible bike coin. True, many people drive in a complete fog, barely paying attention to what’s in front of them, much less what’s around them.
However, I’ve also noticed an even larger percentage of bicyclists that completely ignore the rules of the road. Just because your vehicle doesn’t have a motor, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to stop for the red lights. And, while bikes have a right to the road, it’s best to take your portion from one side or the other, or better yet the designated bike lane, rather than out of the middle of a car lane. Pedestrians have the right of way regarding both bikes and cars. Just because you feel you can dodge them with ease, they aren’t as confident in your abilities, nor real fond of you riding a foot in front of their path in the crosswalk.
That said, I am comtemplating purchasing a bike for the daily commute.
June 26th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Olive Garden
Damn, we walked all over Little Italy trying to find an authentic Olive Garden. I should have checked with you before the trip. Not a fan of Red Lobster though, seafood is for the coasties.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I thought clowns rode unicycles. I was up to 17 miles a day last year, but since I moved back to Wichita I havnt riden much. Finally got the bike back home though. Very much right about the traffic though. I ride a Harley and no one sees that either, when I am on the bicycle its 100 times worse. Watch your ass up there.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Bicycling is the answer to peace in our time! How else could could the above find such common understanding?
Okay, maybe music.