I recently have been using a bicycle as my main mode of transportation both to and from work and for recreation on the weekends. It’s been great. I encourage everyone that is able to get on a bike once in a while, especially now in Minnesota. The view from two wheels is awesome, plus you get plenty of exercise. However, if you are going to bike commute to work and elsewhere, there are some things you should know and that I’ve recently learned.
- Humility – When you commute to work, especially during the summer, you will arrive to work somewhat disheveled. No matter what precautions you take, your hair will be a bit messed, you will perspire and there is a chance you could have some body odor when you get to work. If you’re going to bike commute, you have to deal with it. However, knowing that you just got more exercise on your way to work than the average American probably gets in a week should trump any feeling of awkwardness or embarrassment.
- Most people don’t know how to drive – You know when a traffic light is out and people just lose their shit and don’t know how to treat it like a four-way stop? There’s always that person waving everyone on because they don’t understand who has the right of way and it just screws everything up. Yeah, that’s how most people react to a cyclist. It’s as if you are an alien or something and no one knows what to do. People will tailgate you, be scared to drive around, wave you on at traffic lights even though you aren’t supposed to go, etc. Randomly, you will also get the stinkeye from some drivers. As if you riding a bike is an affront to them; like you’re insulting the fact that they’re currently riding in a motorized transport. My riding tip: Always look people in the eye at four-way stops and intersections. It will clue you in as to what they are going to do and let them know that you see them and you can be sure they see you. It’s how this madness in India works and no one gets killed.
- Bugs are high in protein – If you ride a bike for any length of time, it is guaranteed that at one time or another you will eat a bug. It may be insignificant like a gnat or something similarly diminutive. Or, if you’re lucky you could eat something like a big junebug or even a cicada and you can skip dinner. Regardless, it will happen. The sooner you come to terms with this, the less you will probably freak out when it happens and crash into a parked car.
- Molehills become mountains – Small hills or slight inclines become steep inclines when you’re on two wheels. What may have looked easy in a car can really kick your ass on a bike. Be mindful of your route. I live on a hill however, so no matter which direction I come home I am going up. But leaving home, weeee!
- Wind and rain suck- A nice breeze is great on a bike, but hard wind sucks. St. Paul has an odd meteorological phenomenon that, no matter which direction you ride, the wind is blowing in your face. I haven’t quite figured out how or why it happens, but I’m sure the answer is in an X-file somewhere. Sure it makes you feel like the center of the universe, but it makes riding a bitch when the wind is strong, which happens a lot. And rain, well it just stinks.
Oh, and of course there’s all that “it’s good for you, reduces your carbon footprint, blah, blah” hipster stuff. However, I shall never wear spandex.
That is all, have a good day.