In a recent one day return to riding the train all I could think about was why I hadn’t ridden my bike. While I waited a seemingly unending amount of time one thought came to mind loudly, “Dammit, I could be there now if I had ridden my bike. Why didn’t I ride?” And why didn’t I ride? I was going out to meet up with friends (all non-riders) in the evening for a drink and a comedy show. I thought it might be easier to not have to schlep the bike from place to place. How foolish! The brief inconvenience of pushing my bike with my friends between our two destinations that evening would have paled in comparison to the steep and profound annoyance of riding the curiously slow L train.
The waiting… ugh that is the worst thing. On the bike I just go! There is no waiting, I get to my destination as fast as I can or want to ride. Yes, there is traffic and I am traffic, but there is a sense of control and progress that I love. My road rage is minimal and the whole idea of bicycle commuting is so beautifully efficient. Exercise and get to work – perfect! I can save on the gym membership and the MTA fare! Having said that I am grateful that I can bring my bike on the subway if I get a flat or the weather takes a turn for the unpleasant.
