Stop and Smell the Roses
“If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.” – Lance Armstrong
Cycling is again a growing recreational trend. It is a unique way to travel and maintain your health, and it provides an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Cycling harkens us back to a simpler time when we relied on our legs, rather than our automobiles, to take us from place to place.
While it seems that bicycles have been around forever, the earliest one was a wooden scooter-like device called a celerifere. It was invented by Comte Mede de Sivrac of France in 1790. However, it was soon after improved by the Baron Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun in 1816. He made a model with a steering bar attached to the front wheel and named this improvement a draisienne. The draisienne had two wheels but no pedals. This cycle was propelled forward much like a scooter since the rider had to use his feet.
In the 1860’s cycles were again improved. These early bicycles, which were called velocipedes, were difficult to operate because they possessed very large front wheels. At the time, cycle designers incorrectly believed that bigger tires equaled more speed. To make them even more cumbersome, early tires were made of wood or metal and solid rubber tires were added much later. In the 1880s air-filled tires were added to the bicycle along with a chain with sprockets. The modern derailleur gear system was added relatively recently — in the 1970's.
May is Bike to Work month, so there is no better time than the present to take advantage of the cycling life. Cycling to work has many physical health benefits but also mental health benefits since you are out in nature. Most of all, whether you cycle to work or are a weekend road warrior, cycling allows you to connect authentically to nature and tap into the sheer power of your body. There is nothing better than having the sun on your face, the wind in your hair and breathing fresh air. After a cycling excursion and experiencing the sheer beauty of nature, one is left with a very satisfying feeling.
Recently, adventure travel has taken off. Travelers are finding that there are too many important experiences to have that cannot be experienced by traveling only by car or on a tour bus. These companies offer tours where one spends the day hiking or biking, depending on the terrain. Vacationers get to experience the pace of life where they are visiting, having time to stop and smell the roses, the mangoes or the coconuts. It is a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the culture and scenery of a region while being able to pick up on subtle nuances that others may not see. The founder of “Backroads Travel” said it all when he noted, “Active travel is the difference between looking at life and living it.”
But the great news is you don’t have to spend any money or travel to exotic locales to partake of adventure travel. You can participate in active travel on your terms literally in your own backyard. There are free, informational websites such as www.bikingbis.com that provide you with information on cycling tours that you can take from Washington State or the United States. This particular website provides a multitude of information on everything that is biking. They suggest various tours that you can take on your own, charity rides, rallies and fun activities related to cycling. There are several large, cycling events to look for this summer such as Cycle Washington, the Northwest Tandem Rally, Seattle to Portland Biking Classic, RedSpoke and San Juan Ramble Inn-to-Inn. There is no better way to get fit while experiencing the gorgeous scenery of the Pacific Northwest. Still not convinced? Be sure to catch the film “Breaking Away” for some inspiration!
The most recent innovation during the past several years has been the electric bike because it allows even those with limited mobility or stamina to enjoy cycling. It’s wonderful that everyone in our community has the ability to cycle no matter what age or level of stamina. So many are rediscovering the joys of cycling as a leisure activity, and the number of cyclists is growing.
While this is wonderful, it is also a good idea to be aware of the dangers that vehicles present to cyclists. While cycling in groups is generally safer, it is a good idea to follow a few road rules to keep yourself and others safe. While some might think wearing a helmet is the last word in safety for cyclists, it is only the beginning.
Every cyclist needs to know how to avoid getting hit by a car. Some common examples of collisions occur when cars are turning right, cars are leaving a parking lot, a cycler rides too close to the side of parked cars, or a cyclist is riding across a crosswalk. While these are only a few common scenarios, approaches for staying safe will help to prevent accidents.
Here are some tips that cyclists can follow to stay safe:
• Signal all your turns
• Wear reflective clothing
• Get a mirror
• Get a horn
• Get a headlight and rear light
• Wave to make yourself known visually
• Avoid headphones or media devices that will cause you to be distracted
• Choose slow streets and back roads
Finally, the most important tip involves a mind-set. Literally ride as if you were invisible to everyone around you. The reason this is important is because even the most well-intentioned motorists may not see you. Riding as if you were invisible allows you to be proactive since you should never rely on motorists to see you. If you rely on motorists to see you, you put your safety in their hands.
Erin O‘Conner once aptly noted that, “Caution is the key to safe cycling. I'm aware that cars are bigger than me, but I feel quite safe. I'm in control, liberated and free, when I'm on my bike.” Make yourself intentionally seen by using visual signals while maintaining the mindset that you are invisible to motorists. Thus, both the invisibility mindset and the proactivity of creating visual signals work together to keep you safe.
Heed Lance Armstrong’s advice and don’t sit on the sidelines. Get on a bike and change your life. After all, cycling is a wonderful leisure activity and whether you are on a road bike, a mountain bike or an electric bike, there is fun to be had for all. Whether you are a motorist or a cyclist, be sure to share the road, and let everyone enjoy life at his or her own speed. Don’t forget to wear your helmet!
