Staring down 50 will make a man think.
Since I’m not a New Year’s Resolution guy (see an earlier blog post) I decided to take a look in the mirror as Summer starts. Instead of a resolution, I’d come up with something new, I’d make a Summer Solution – how to get the most out of myself and the most of my time and life.
I decided to make it a Summer of -ing.
I’ve always been really good at a number of -ing; Eat-ing, drink-ing, talk-ing, bs-ing. But I needed something more. I opted to reintroduce two -ings into my life, one of which I’ll talk about today…Bicycl-ing.
That’s right – I went out and bought a bicycle and am on my way to becoming a bike guy.
Like everyone else I grew up riding a bike. But as time wore on I realized driving a car was more convenient and efficient than riding a bike. So, the bike got put away and has been long forgotten. Every summer I’d see people riding their bikes through the city and the parks, I’d always say to myself, “I’m going to be a bike guy.” And each summer would pass by and I wouldn’t be a bike guy.
Now that’s changed.
I happen to live in a bike friendly city which also happens to be home to a couple of bike shops. I made up my mind and strolled into the shop, run by young people who know bikes. I only know how to pedal a bike but after a half hour I was all set up to become a bike guy. I picked out a helmet, the coolest looking one I could find – a splash of red and white with black stripes -and was off.
Once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget – you may never forget how to ride a bike but you will forget how to steer, stop gracefully and weave around pedestrians. Fortunately, I managed to keep a small grasp on coordination and convinced myself to take a trip through the city.
Unlike the very hilly confines of the Western Pennsylvania where I learned to ride a bike, my midwest home is relatively flat. Most hills in these parts are slight grades – which I’m very thankful for. The biggest difference is city riding. I envision making runs to the store to pick up a few items on my bike, which will require a great deal of attention and patience on my part – two attributes I need to work on.
I’ll never do a big road race or be part of a triathlon. I’m more about the zen aspects of the bike – having a smaller carbon footprint, maneuvering through the city, taking on a new challenge…and it beats going to the gym.
I always like to think of life as a work in progress. I love change and try to embrace it (but don’t ask me to change my morning routine). So here’s to more do-ing and less talk-ing .
…and by the way, if you see a lanky guy riding down the street, maybe a little unsure – be kind and don’t run him over. He just might be taking his first steps toward a Summer of -ing.
sinkingliner 