69 Alone with a Bicycle

For a long time I have wanted to write about my bicycle experiences. And lo and behold – turning the pages of a newspaper I came across an article by Haruki Murakami about long distance running. The experience about which he writes is very similar to my experience. His article is only a part of an entire book on running; Murakami says that in order to understand something he has to write about it. Therefore he writes about running in order to understand its significance for him – he runs at least an hour every day. I won't write a book but will content myself with a short article.

Like Murakami I also like physical activity that is not done in a group. That is very private, almost meditative. My own time, spent by myself and in an essentially non-competitive context. That explains why I also like to swim. But unlike Murakami I do not set myself difficult goals – such as various kinds of marathons. I make do with moderate activity combined with a nature trip – a trip I would not take if I did not have the excuse of the bicycle – and rest periods spent in reading which is a special treat that I have become addicted to.

What I try to avoid is all the commotion that accompanies bicycles and riding. I don't have a 'brand' bicycle, and the one I have I spent time and effort on to change to my special kind of riding, which is quite unusual. For example, the handle bar is especially high because my back doesn't like the forward tilted position (all the field-riders stare at my bicycle in disbelieve). I also don't ride in fashionable riding gear. Although riding pants are absolutely essential, over them I wear ordinary pants and so in the field I look just like anyone else and not a coat hanger decorated with labels in brilliant colors.

From riders that are accustomed to ride in groups I always hear of the rules of this religion: the fashionable uniforms, the interest in individual achievement (the number of kilometers, the length of time), the hidden and apparent competition within the group and between the different groups, the participation in mass riding events and, of course, the incentive to excel which is sometimes even dangerous, and is the result of group competitive and social pressure. All that I leave far behind me when I go by myself to the open fields – always to the fields: the road is dangerous and also boring. When I ride alone I stop immediately when I become tired, there is no one I have to impress. While riding I look around and stop from time to time to take pictures. I look for a nice, shady place to sit down and read.

There is no need to look for opportunities to make a special effort; in any case, even very moderate riding is sufficient activity, especially in the summer heat. Never the less I do come to difficult paths as well as to places where I have to carry the bicycle on my shoulders and walk between rocks. This moderate sport program doesn't mean that I choose easy routes. But in all the routes, even in the difficult ones, I peddle as leisurely as possible.