Bicycle Commuting without Suffering

on Dec 13, 2009

Bicycle Commuting without Suffering

Sign Advising not to Ride Bikes on San Cristóbal, Cochabamba, Bolivia

So, you wake up, open the window and smell those smells you smell when it rains. Or, has snowed. Your bike is without rider, beckoning you. But, you think it’s not a good day to ride. You’d rather hang with another rider, Japhy Ryder, and immerse yourself in thought about dhukka…

You could drive your car or take the bus. You know it’s not imperative to take a bike to and fro, wherever you go. You know to use the right tool for the job. But, the pedals call out to you. They say “Ride, ride!” It’s a day of emotional weather, full of turbulence, causing you to be hyperalert. Which is not a bad place to be, after all.

Hercules Bike, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Coach Levi has tips on riding in the rain you’ll appreciate. These include using fenders, a seat cover and water repellent grease, avoiding deep water and rinsing and drying the bike after the ride, including the brake pads.

Geisha graphic on Zebrakenko fixed gear bike

Simplicity has its place. Your fixie is the perfect solution to approaching low cost and maintenance. It’s also an expression of your individuality.

Graphic on Zebrakenko fixie

This Zebrakenko fixie calls out to the East with its anime graphics. Is it a good choice for riding in the rain? That depends on what you enjoy. Most folks would rather have a bike equipped with rain gear, given the choice.

Ron Chandler and bike at McRorie Community Garden, Gainesville, FL

It all boils down to form and function, and ultimately enjoying what you’re doing. So, do what makes sense!

Michael loves sharing what he's learned about alternative lifestyles. He calls it "lifestyle entrepreneurship". He's into organic gardening, mindful living, and realizes that we only have this life and each other. His favorite quote is "The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both." (James A. Michener)