The Bicycle Diaries

On Christmas day of 2000, my parents gave 11-year-old me a beautiful, brick-red, beach cruiser bicycle. Lovely in all its vintage style glory, it faithfully toted me to neighbors’ houses for afternoon chats over fried cornbread. Steadily, it lifted me to the community cemetery- my childhood place to reflect.

It was great for recreational riding. In Fayetteville, it was my companion for breezy afternoons on the sunny, leafy trail.

Eventually, I began challenging myself athletically and the lack of gears became a problem.

I’ve often fantasized about being the cute, eco-conscious working woman who cycled to work and the farmer’s market, valiantly balancing a successful career and leaving a small environmental footprint- recycling everything, using energy efficient appliances, fixtures and whatnot.

But one thing at a time, yeah?

For starters, I purchased this awesome sleek, racing style 24 speed roadbike from a friend of mine, and last week, I decided to cycle to work each day.

I didn’t think I was capable- mainly because of the all the stupid hills in this town. So I planned for the worst: get up early, pack work clothes, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

If all else failed, I could walk to work. It’s only five miles, how bad could it be?

Sunday, Day 1 Fayetteville to West Fork
24 miles roundtrip
My first “long” ride has me a little bit nervous, so I pack a small bag with portable air pump, sunscreen, water, other supplies, and set out early, thinking the hills will slow me down.

The weather was just chilly enough to appreciate my black workout clothes and the warming sun. I struggled up a few hills- mostly the ones that look small but ARE NOT. The larger ones at least prepare you mentally for it…geez.

I arrive to West Fork early, pleasantly surprised, and take a break at their riverside park and spend some time with my cute baby nephew, who lives nearby.

The return trip was pretty simple, probably more coasting, but it gave me time to enjoy the breeze and some tunes from my iPod. Nouveau road trip. Now, I had the confidence to make the shorter trip, from home to office.

Monday, Day 2
13 miles
First day to work, I got up refreshed and took a brisk ride to campus, making a mental note to find winter gear. Staying active can only warm you up so much. Huh.

Four stoplights, two stop signs and several exhaust clouds later, I arrived at the office only 25 minutes later. This could actually save me time…strange.

In the evening, after biking home, I took a chance and biked up the bigger hill to the Mission/Crossover intersection. Yes, it killed me. And yes, of course I rewarded myself with La Huerta queso. Don’t mind if I do.

Tuesday, Day 3
8 miles
Getting in the hang of things, I arrived at work on time, not pushing myself to get out the door as early as yesterday. The hill by Fayetteville Public Library never fails to kicks my but every morning, but I’m making it. Also, I’ve fully appreciated that Clubhaus has showers, hair dryer, for more pleasant transition from ride to office.

In the evenings, I start to go to bed earlier. Exhausted.

Wednesday, Day 4
8 miles
Riding time has dwindled to 20 minutes (one-way), and I’m starting to enjoy the scenery. Huntsville road takes me past a beautiful, green valley that leads to the Boston mountains, and these tiny little stone cottages dot the landscape. I look forward to going past the old, three-story home that has a quaint little park bench underneath a lone tree in the pasture.

Menial details of the riding, like where I can float past or avoid traffic easier through a short stretch of sidewalk, become more clear, routine. You begin to think of things differently. Any time you rent a movie, check out a book, go grocery shopping, it becomes more of a conscious effort: how can I get all of my errands done without returning home in the middle of it? How can I get there on the least hill-y route, and what timeframe has the least amount of traffic?

Thursday, Day 5
12 miles
Clubhaus workers start to keep tabs on my mileage, stopping to chat about different models of bikes. I guess the weird thing about having a job you enjoy like that is having to spend 8 hours a day thinking about it, but not actually getting to exercise, cycle, run, do yoga, etc.

Today brought an interview of a professor at the Engineering Research Center, so I picked up a few extra miles. It was a little frustrating, to choose between wearing professional clothes and getting there later or wearing biking clothes, being on time, but our professors are easy going, and this one in particular just appreciated that I wouldn’t automatically hop in a car to get anywhere.

The ERC didn’t have any visible bike racks, which surprised me at first. These are the people who are making newer and better biofuels, thinner solar panels, etc. I suppose they can simply make fuel more efficient, instead of nixing the use of it altogether. (Turns out they have a bike rack in the back, and students tend to take an hourly shuttle from campus out to the center.)

Friday, Day 6
24 miles
Biking to work feels completely routine, but carrying a change of clothing is still kind of annoying. So today, I wore a professional-style dress, but some leggings too, for the ride. After work, I went cycling on the city trail with a friend. It was nice to get out of the trail of exhaust and appreciate the stream, trees, the under-the-road tunnels, the right-of-way, and it is, of course, always fun to have a riding partner.

That evening, with my goal completed, all I wanted to do was sit down and eat.

Next, I’ve decided to analyze weekly cost difference in buying gas for a car, or more food while cycling to work.

While taking off my helmet and shoes, I think of the people I met this week because of the bike, the bored teenagers that slow down and cheer you on, the janitors who find it quirky that a cubicle worker doesn't drive to work, the guy who nearly took me out in the turning lane, and the random lady who stopped to chat about bikes in general and how ambitious you must be (flattering, but untrue). Then, about how much better I feel from all the extra exercise, sleep and water.

And somehow, I think, barring any financial and environmental reasons, it’s still worth it.