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Why I Ride #14: To Stop and Smell the Cupcakes
(Brian Griggs — along with Rick Smith — is the author of the popular bicycling comic, Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery.)
When I was a kid, the bicycle was my main mode of transportation and it expanded the borders of my little world. These days I still love to use my bicycle for transportation, but less for exploration and more for appreciation of all of the characteristics of my community.
When I ride, it’s not just about arriving at my destination; I enjoy every bit of the route and all the additional sensory details. When I ride to the market, I enjoy the sound of kids playing when I pass the park. When I see a friend on the street, not only can we exchange a hello and actually hear each other, but it’s never a hassle to pull over and chat.
I love the smell of freshly cut grass or of fresh coffee and pastries as I pass the local cafe. If I stop in and grab a couple of cupcakes, I’m not a glutton… I’m refueling!
Sure, I could hop in a car and simply arrive at my destination, but there is too much lost when you close that door and cut yourself off from your community.
Get out, get going, and enjoy the ride.
May is National Bike Month and this year’s theme is One Ride, Many Reasons. To highlight and celebrate the many benefits of bicycling, throughout May we’ll bring you the personal reflections and inspirations of a diverse collection of bicyclists from coast to coast with our daily 31 Days, 31 Reasons blog feature.
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May 14th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Yum – eating a cupcake while riding one-handed is wonderful; holding the coffee with the other and riding hands-free, that is a bit more tricky. Still well worth the try though!
May your route have no pot-holes and your pants no coffee stains!
May 14th, 2012 at 11:18 am
Love Yehuda Moon (great interview on Outstanding Cyclist podcast) and now feeling the urge to cycle for some cupcakes… mmmm.
May 14th, 2012 at 11:35 am
I totally agree with the ‘destination not required for biking’ mindset! I try to bike every day, and rarely stop anywhere to lock it up and perform errands. I just love to cruise!
May 14th, 2012 at 11:37 am
One Ride!
Come out this Wednesday night for the Ride of Silence event – One day. One time. Worldwide.
This event is worldwide in scope, organized by volunteers, and is a rally that advocates for the living friends and family of victims, as well as a celebration of those who incorporate the bicycle into their lifestyle. Join us – http://www.rideofsilence.org
To quote founder Chris Phelan: “Alone we are but a whisper. But, on May 16 at 7 PM we will speak loudly through a silence that will resonate around the world. It’s our hope we can change our laws, courts, and the perceptions of our legal right to the roads, and motorists’ legal responsibility to share the road.”
May 14th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
I’m an avide bike rider here in Arizona (Phoenix)We’ve got countless trails everywhere and Bike lanes to make it just about everywhere along with canals that cross counties that have bike paths going in either direction (some paved most not)I ride a Specialized Hardrock so if I see a trail off the path it’s no problem but here is the problem: temps at 110 and above most of summer month’s! your lung’s start to burn after an hour or two being out! I love it so much I venture out anyway and it’s my main sourse of transportation! EVERYONE should ride!
May 19th, 2012 at 9:09 am
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