Biking is for everyone.
Riding a bike makes you healthier. It is a simple fact. If you ride more you feel better, look better make love better and well..isn’t that all that matters. Well, no. The indirect benefit is that you are actually being good to the planet and to others by not polluting their air. While that is no reason to feel bad about driving a car for long errands or work related trips, it is definitely a reason to feel bad about those short trips. Just think by getting on a bike every so often you are less likely to get a “beer gut” guys and/or “thunder thighs” ladies.
But what really got me back to this topic was this fantastic article in the New York Times about biking. The two things that hit me about this article were this:
1) Someone else agreed with me that helmets are a not a necessity for riding.
2) Bike zealots are not helping to increase the idea that biking is for everyone.
In short, I will never wear spandex when riding because no one needs to see the shapes of my private parts dangling around a bike seat. I will never wear a reflective orange and yellow “X” style vest because I will look like an idiot. I will not ride an expensive bike and talk about the cranks, brakes, rims or any other tiny, absurd details that make my bike a “pretentious toy”.
To all those people who do these things I say read this article and stop being so judgemental. You will enjoy the ride much more if you understand that anyone on two wheels is your compatriot.
Enjoy.
Steven Saldebus is a clothing designer/entrepreneur currently exploring the use of recycled and sustainable materials for use in fashion.
This blog about trying to live a smarter, more progressive life while absorbed in consumer culture.
Enjoy
June 8th, 2009 at 11:55 am
As a professional cyclist myself, I would have to firmly agree with the with the benefits noted. As far as avatar goes, the spandex is without question, completely corny and I would never wear anything like it unless I was sponsored into a road race. As for the bicycle…It’s not about “talking about” your bicycle when you’ve completely customized/personalized it as much as it is for others to admire or even envy. These details are simply for the better ride and self satisfaction, being that most “aftermarket” equipment or components are usually built with greater precision than what comes on an average complete bike on the floor in the shop.Buying good parts is doing nothing more than getting your bike one step closer to as smooth/light/fast and durable as you’d like it to be. Changing widths of your tires and adjustments of a single sprocket size front or rear can make a night and day difference if done mathematically correct. Simple adjustments to fit the individual are critical to the person’s comfort level and pedaling effectiveness. …I think helmets are only needed in heavy traffic areas or when you’re doing more than just getting yourself from point A, to point B on two wheels, but in all reality it’s mostly cars you have to worry about.(Cars don’t feel bicycles.) Your head quickly feels the intesity of the pavement). Reflectors are a plus but be slick in how you wear them so you don’t look like bob the builder on your new sledgehammer.
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:32 pm
AGREED. My daily philosophy is getting people on a bike, or at the least to drink a litre of water per day.
Even though my bike comes without a seat, it’s nice to see those who appreciate the simple fact it’s still a bike, and a step in the right direction.
Health and Happiness to us all!
-TB