New bicyclist is a convert
It took moving – and cleaning out a storage locker – for this pedestrian to think about bicycling again. I thought of biking as something other people did, people with farther to go, in great shape, and more skilled with flat tires than I. But the idea grew, and after $200 of fixes at Elliott Bay, I was off as a recreational biker.
It has been AWESOME.
There’s something exhilarating about heading off to new places and doing it under your own power. Biking is a great mix of the “I’m here now” feeling you get walking, the changing scenery you get in a car or bus, and just enough risk. And our region is splattered with destinations – from pleasant town centers in places like Mercer Island (yes, really), to the Issaquah Alps, to close-in nirvanas like Green Lake.
In some ways it’s been easier than expected, and in in other ways it’s been a challenge.
The politeness of drivers has been a pleasant surprise. I’ve never been honked at or felt endangered riding on the edge of a street or occasionally taking a lane. Not even a clueless right turner or door opener…so far. It’s good to be wary. I ride a few feet away from any car door and signal where I’m going.
The biggest challenge has been the hills. Longtimers talk about riding over passes and up Tiger Mountain. I’m barely getting over “easy” in-town stuff like Bel-Red Road. But one lesson has made it easier: don’t try to power up big hills, because that only helps for a short distance, and then you’ve shot your legs. Just ride normally, and downshift as necessary to keep the strain sustainable. Ditch your ego, and be the tortoise, not the hare.
Eating during long rides is another leap forward. My favorite route goes past a sandwich stand at the midpoint. Maybe it’s taking a break, and maybe it’s the food, but either way the payoff is a boost of energy. Drink more than you want to.
A map is a good idea. There’s nothing like a missed turn forcing you to backtrack a few miles. Print out the necessary pages from King County’s bike map.
Be safe. Wear a helmet and gloves, make sure your bike works, and don’t take too many risks. But go for it.
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