Biking is Fun

Phil’s trails in Bend, OR turned out to be just as I remembered it – an up and down, looping, swooping, twisting, turning series of trails with a few obstacles (enough to make me work, not so much as to make me swear) and good weather. I took a ride on Saturday evening after I arrived and again on Sunday morning. I stayed at the dispersed camping area, which exceeded my expectations. It’s a big gravel lot – nearly the size of a football field and a good number of vans, trucks, buses and an rv or two were camping there. Not too crowded at all, the vibe was chill, and people were helpful. I had an issue with my bike that a couple of people helped me solve and needed help getting my propane tank open. The guy who tightened it when I filled it must have put everything he had into it because none of the three of us who tried could get it open. Luckily, another camper had a wrench and we got it done. The point is that people were quick to give me a hand when I asked and I was grateful.

My bike rack was brand new and spotless and now it’s broken in.

A few days later I was in Dayville, OR 9 miles south of the Thomas Condon visitor center in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. There’s something magical about being on a bicycle – it offers not just transportation (which means I didn’t need to rearrange my “home” to prevent stuff from moving too freely about the cabin), but also a different view of the world compared with being in a car. I’ve noticed this even at home….places I’d drive by a hundred times seemed almost unfamiliar on a bike. There’s also a big difference between walking and biking…you get a new perspective when you slow down.

I suppose that’s a parallel for this journey I’m on. I’m out of my element – I don’t get to boss anyone around except for me (although to be fair I doubt that the staff I worked with felt like I bossed them at all!), I have fewer things surrounding me and I get to discover what I actually use/need/want on a daily basis. Already I’m figuring out what things I can pack in the garage and which I want readily available in the cabin. Even habits about cleanliness lead me to snicker…I was offered unlimited showers for five bucks at Lassen Nat’l Park where I’m staying for four days. I was taken aback when the words…nah, I’ll wait and see tumbled forth from my mouth. Seriously? Do I really think I won’t want at least one shower in four days? I may be living alone, but I’m still in a small space!

Back to biking…I rode here to the visitor center where I have wifi and where I can take a hike before riding back. Sure I could have walked….it’s only a mile…but the bike makes it more efficient. Riding a bike, especially going downhill, offers a feeling of freedom. It’s gratifying to ride through the streets of Seattle and seeing the traffic I’d be sitting in if I was in a car. Knowing I can get most places I need to in Seattle without a car opens up all kinds of possibilities. My bike offers a transpo option, exercise, recreation, and a bunch of positive feelings – there’s really nothing quite like it. Get on a bike and ride!