Urban Biking

Today, I made the idiotic and quite insensible decision to ride my bike instead of drive my car. It may or may not have been one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.

Now, to be sure, the terror wasn't from my own lack of cycling skills, or any sort of dramatic loss of control. In fact, I dare say I'm a quite capable bike rider. I mean, I've been working at it since I was 8 or 9. First, I conquered my neighbor's driveway. Later I mastered the art of going off the pavement. Once I advanced in age, I even entered a few organized bike rides, once riding 60 miles through the worst weather south-central Minnesota can throw at me. And as my only fully controllable mode of transportation in Nottingham, I became quite adept at biking in an urban environment.

However, apparently biking in the UK is not like biking in your average American suburb. Now I can see why people here don't bike.

I mean, from one standpoint, biking makes perfect sense. Here are three benefits I can think of.

1. Become more fit/encourage a healthy lifestyle
2. Reduce carbon emissions
3. Save money

All of these are positive, but it's hard to encourage biking as a sustainable and viable mode of transportation when every trip consists of navigating a shooting gallery of Hummers and psychotic soccer moms in their Dodge Caravans. It's like people couldn't even comprehend that those white lines at intersections served some sort of purpose. Or that anyone would be foolish enough to actually try and use them. Completely oblivious to any sort of activity outside of their own little metal carcass. It was downright frightening. Downright negligent lack of awareness on the part of Apple Valley's motorists.

Secondly, the sidewalk that I rode on. You know those dirt paths through the mountains that Chinese villagers have been fleeing the earthquakes on? Well, I would bet that would have given a smoother ride than the bike path along Country Road 42. Probably less hazardous as well. A hell of a lot more scenic.

I wish I could blame the fact that sweat inevitable occurs when biking on someone. But the fact that you're always on the brink of death surely causes you to sweat more. So there.

I mean, what the hell is wrong with these people? Are they legitimately insane? Or are they just supremely ignorant of the idea that someone may choose to ride a bike instead of drive a car? I mean, of course, it's a ridiculous idea. Why would I ever want to ride my non-emitting bike and become more fit when I could drop $50 in gas, sit in traffic, become fatter, and emit some noxious gases in my SUV? That would make no sense, especially for those trips less than 5 or so miles from home.

Okay, enough of that. For a fun diversion, why not check out some sweet photos of my super-sweet trip to Brasil? The photos got a bit out of order when I was uploading, but I bet you'll get the hang.

Jazz Orchestra Brasil Tour