Embarrassed, I must admit I hadn't been on a bicycle since 2008 when I rented a bike while visiting Lake Tahoe. I fixed this bicycle two weekends ago and now I am riding on a daily basis.
The first week I was extremely cautious as I was not used to riding at super fast speeds. I must admit I was a bit nervous of sharing the street with cars and buses, but once I hit the road the first time on the bicycle I felt alive!
Yesterday I started feeling extremely comfortable while riding. I hit the roads in downtown riding next to cars and buses matching their speeds. It felt nice.
But there is something odd about comfort -- something always happens to remind you to stay alert -- and so today I fell.
I had just gotten out the train station and I was very sleepy because I rode the first train out of downtown. Yes, the one at 5am so that I could be at work before 6am.
As soon as I exited the gate, I made eye contact with the bus driver that was waiting for passengers to get on. I thought I saw a nod so I started riding slowly and closer to the curb than usual. I was trying to let the bus pass me on my left once it started moving.. and yes I know the guidelines are to be on the right of the bus at least 5 ft away...but this was the train station!
The bus passed. As soon as it was a few feet away I started trying to get away from the curb by leaning toward my left and pedaling faster gaining the speed I have started to enjoy. I leaned to my left but a groove in the uneven pavement forced my front tire to keep going straight causing me to lose my balance.
I was holding the top of my handle bars so I couldn't brake without leaning forward and moving my hands to the lower section where the brakes are at. Eventually my front tire hit the curb on its right. I fell on the landscape of bushes and bare dirt scraping my lower lip and getting a thin but long scratch on the right side of my face. I got up and a branch from the bushes was stuck between my head and helmet. I got back on the bike, realized the chain was off so I got off again. After I got the chain was back on, I pedaled my way to work slower than usual.
I am fine.
Every time I think about it I laugh at myself. It must've been quite an amusing scenery for the few people up at that time and present at the station.
I know... I need to be comfortable but alert.
Which reminds me, one of my friends sent me this funny song. I found the translation below it lame, but if you understand Spanish you might be in for a treat -- something else plus cheesy to laugh about. :)
The first week I was extremely cautious as I was not used to riding at super fast speeds. I must admit I was a bit nervous of sharing the street with cars and buses, but once I hit the road the first time on the bicycle I felt alive!
Yesterday I started feeling extremely comfortable while riding. I hit the roads in downtown riding next to cars and buses matching their speeds. It felt nice.
But there is something odd about comfort -- something always happens to remind you to stay alert -- and so today I fell.
I had just gotten out the train station and I was very sleepy because I rode the first train out of downtown. Yes, the one at 5am so that I could be at work before 6am.
As soon as I exited the gate, I made eye contact with the bus driver that was waiting for passengers to get on. I thought I saw a nod so I started riding slowly and closer to the curb than usual. I was trying to let the bus pass me on my left once it started moving.. and yes I know the guidelines are to be on the right of the bus at least 5 ft away...but this was the train station!
The bus passed. As soon as it was a few feet away I started trying to get away from the curb by leaning toward my left and pedaling faster gaining the speed I have started to enjoy. I leaned to my left but a groove in the uneven pavement forced my front tire to keep going straight causing me to lose my balance.
I was holding the top of my handle bars so I couldn't brake without leaning forward and moving my hands to the lower section where the brakes are at. Eventually my front tire hit the curb on its right. I fell on the landscape of bushes and bare dirt scraping my lower lip and getting a thin but long scratch on the right side of my face. I got up and a branch from the bushes was stuck between my head and helmet. I got back on the bike, realized the chain was off so I got off again. After I got the chain was back on, I pedaled my way to work slower than usual.
I am fine.
Every time I think about it I laugh at myself. It must've been quite an amusing scenery for the few people up at that time and present at the station.
I know... I need to be comfortable but alert.
Which reminds me, one of my friends sent me this funny song. I found the translation below it lame, but if you understand Spanish you might be in for a treat -- something else plus cheesy to laugh about. :)
"Te hallaré pedaleando
en el viaje de allá pa' acá.
Que nos vayan dejando
un carril pa' nosotros ya.
Anda en bici la banda
porque tiene un qué se yo.
Cada vez más demanda
proque'es mágica, ¿a poco no?"
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