My Own Power Source

As we inch closer to the month of April, any day now, any day - I'm becoming brave enough to think that spring is really here in the Mid-Atlantic. (I'm sorry, Lisa, that you've had a set-back in the Northwest.) Right here, right now, the sun is shining warmly, birds are nest-building in the yard, fruit trees are blossoming, I've even seen some dandelions. All of which is delightful in and of itself, but even more so for the fact that it means: bicycle season has returned!

I checked out the old vélo this morning, pumped up the tires, gave it a wipedown, and soon I'll be off on a round of errands, including lunch with some of my former students. Ah, the freedom of the bicycle. There is just nothing like it. No parking hassles, no gas price worries, no emissions, that great feeling of sun and wind in your face, that tingle in your limbs. (Not to mention rump.)

The sticker in this post is from the wonderful C.I.C.L.E., Bicycle News, Advocacy and Culture, a source of much good ideas and stuff. Lisa's post called attention once again to the imminence of global climate change. If a significant percentage of us became our own alternative energy sources via the pedal and wheel, we would stop contributing to the bad news, and become part of the solution. For those of you who think cycling is only for the young and/or fit, let me introduce myself: I'm 62 years old, more than slightly overweight, and arthritic in many joints. I have never felt as good as I did all last spring, summer and fall, when my bike was my main means of transportation. More and more cities are putting in bike lanes, or even bike paths (see my previous post on Cool Cities), and more employers are making bicycle commuting possible for their employees, with locker and shower facilities on site. There are bicycles for every somatic type and condition, even some great tricycles. Soon there will be no excuse not to become alternative energy yourself. Try it, chances are - you'll be hooked.

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