A Life Lived On Two Wheels

My brother bought a used Bianchi Pista in early 2009. I had some money saved up and decided to start riding with him. I bought a 2010 Trek 7.2 FX for about $450 to ride with him. Honestly, It's tough for me to think of how exactly I grew to love bicycling. I do remember the first few rides and how I started. Taking my $3 AmVets backpack, stuffing it with work clothes and some quick repair supplies, I saddled up in jean shorts and a t-shirt to ride the 7 miles to my work.

I loved the simplicity of it. The practicality couldn't be beat. I learned a lot of tough lessons and even more about my character through riding. I trekked home through the night using only 3 LED "Be Seen" lights to light my way down dark suburban roads (I've come a long way and now use two 18650 cell flashlights to see the road with my other lights as well).

I grew to love the challenge of it. The awareness it brought of one's environment is still awe-inspiring to me. I've watched birds pop out of their nests on a cool spring morning and baby raccoons stumbling over each other. I've even ridden with deer blazing a path before me.

Really, biking has changed my life for the better and I can't even imagine not riding. Hell, I rode for the first time through snow this past weekend and had a blast. I also learned a lot more about riding while slipping through the snow and ice. Even practiced some bike handling in a snow covered empty lot.

I've come a long way since my humble beginnings, and though I wear Lycra bike specific clothes now, I try not to put emphasis on gear. I have to thank the bicycle for changing my life. Every ride is an adventure and I am grateful for every day I get to explore on what I believe is the most magnificent of inventions. I only hope that more people see the light, and every day, more and more people seem to see the magnificence of something so simple as a bicycle ride. Ride safe, ride happy and leave smiles at every mile.

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