General Cycling Discussion - Letting others define you

One thing I have come to believe as a cyclist who lives in a world defined by motorized transportation:

I must know who I am.

As long as I know this, I am happy. In fact, it makes me strong. I enjoy feeling the strength of being self-defined, as long as I am being truthful to myself.

The next step is finding the satisfaction of seeing others do the same.

I think this was defined for me when I mounted the bike for my very first commute to work. At that point I made a decision not based merely upon what I've always done, which was simply to walk to my car and in effect separate myself from the world. On that first morning, as I pedaled out of the lot and onto the thoroughfare, it felt as if I'd never traveled that route. There was a connection to the surrounds that before had been only a blur seen through glass. It seems absurd that I was surprised by this, but I was.

I don't mean to infer that I'm a lousy driver, but I'll admit to a certain bland placidness whenever I'm behind the steering wheel. Riding the bike to work (or anywhere) changes that. All of the senses that are dulled by the comfortable cage of a car interior come alive.

And so in two ways - the decision vs. the rote habit, and using my own muscle as the motive force to propel me through the world of which I am a part rather than being idly carried past it - I experience that sense of empowerment. May it ever be so.

-Rob

Originally posted by LittleBigMan
One thing I have come to believe as a cyclist who lives in a world defined by motorized transportation:

I must know who I am.

As long as I know this, I am happy. In fact, it makes me strong. I enjoy feeling the strength of being self-defined, as long as I am being truthful to myself.

The next step is finding the satisfaction of seeing others do the same.

Feeling a bit philosophical, are we?

Who am I? a sad, flacid man. good news, is that i'll be somwhere where i can ride consistently in the not too distant future, and become a stunning god of muscle. well, maybe not, but i won't 20Lbs overweight.