I think I live in one of the worst cities in the country to bike. I went out today for a ten mile jaunt and had to walk my bike at least ten times. Not because I was tired and HAD to walk my bike, but because:

On most of the streets in the city proper and even the outskirts, the roads are incredibly busy and have no shoulder room for bikers. None. To force my way into traffic would essentially guarantee getting hit by a car. Okay, I’ll ride on the sidewalk.

Wrong.

For the most part, sidewalks don’t exist where needed. Or if they do, they’re either dirt or about a foot wide or blocked off. Or all three. (I have a road bike, so dirt riding isn’t exactly a practical option). Now, I’d avoid these roads except for one thing–there’s a large river running through the middle of the city and to get onto the country roads, I MUST cross a bridge (there are three in my vicinity). None of these bridges are bike friendly. Actually, none of them are even bike-neutral.

I’m hiking tomorrow–to be free from motorized traffic for hours on end.

On a happy note, I’ve moved up to advanced competitive training in my fencing club. Now I get three nights a week of two hour practices. Woo!

Categories: distracted