Tuesday was probably my last day riding my bike to work due to family work schedules and child care. I am very sad about it because my bike commute was one of the best things about living in NYC. We live in Inwood, at the very top of Manhattan and I work in SoHo, about 12.5 miles away. Yes, that is a 25 mile round trip and it is stunning. There is a bike path along the Hudson River that 24 of those miles are on. The path has trees, birds, lots os cyclists (obviously), joggers, dogs. It is really beautiful to ride along a river surrounded by trees. Parts of it run along the West Side Highway, so I get my share of cars, but I hardly have to ride in traffic. This ride is so beautiful! And so much more relaxing than the loud, smelly, crowded subway car that I'm stuck in right now. I love public transportation, but I loathe the NYC subway system.
But this post is about bikes. I love bikes. I love the way they make my body feel all stretched out and fluidly strong. I never feel more relaxed or happy than on a day when I have ridden. I love riding in the quiet mornings when I can hear all the steel (yes steel) parts doing their work. I love how friendly all the cyclists are in the mornings and say hello to each other. Why doesn't this happen in the afternoons? Are people so grumpy after work?
I love my bike, a beautiful Rivendell Atlantis. If you know this bike, you know why I love to ride. If you don't, imagine driving a perfectly tuned old Mercedes where everything is heavy and solid and works perfectly. I will go to cycling hell for comparing a bike to a car, but I can't think of anything better to compare.
When we move to SF next month (!!!), I want to buy a Bakfiet cargo bike so Isabel can go on all of my rides with me. Since we cannot afford another expensive bike, I will have to sell my Atlantis. This is another reason why my last commute makes me so sad. I so love my bike, Daisy.
But I will love riding around SF with my daughter even more. What is Dutch for Daisy? And how on earth do I get an electric assist for my new bike? Those SF hills!