The road less travelled

Bike

I love to bike, to feel the wind in my hair, smell the various odors, sense temperature changes, experience the weather in all its variations, feel the energy flowing through my body.

I work with technology in an office and this is one of the few ways of being in contact with nature, or what’s left of it. Switch off the mind, gaze at infinity and just push those pedals. Glide through the landscape, forgetting yourself. I just love it. Even when it rains. Especially when it rains and storms. There’s something very romantic about battling against, nay, dancing with a storm. Giving it all till one’s exhausted but satisfied.

Because of my bad health I can sense acutely the effect things have on my body. One whiskey, going to bed late or getting wound up over something, and I’ll pay for it the next day. Believe me if I tell you that biking is *very* healthy. It gives energy, both mental and physical, you lose weight and become stronger. It’s also good for your bloodpressure and heartrate, among other things.

I’ve never owned a car. I don’t like cars. They’re feminine, they enclose you and make you dependent. They isolate you, especially from nature. They seduce you, so you become enslaved, victim of your own laziness. They force themselves upon you, you’re almost obliged to be shackled to one these days, otherwise you’re presumed a failure.

Give me my iron horse and I’m happy

July 19th, 2007 | lifestyle | 3 comments