I bought a bike on Saturday. TREK brand. It's pretty excellent. I also bought a trailer for Johan who's my wing man. We roll. We've been out for 5 rides since Saturday which is more bike rides than I've done in the past 5 years.
It wasn't until I was out on the roads that I realized I am pretty nervous about sharing the road with cars. Hmmm. That's a problem. Saturday and Sunday I stuck to side streets around my neighborhood. If I weren't afraid of the busy streets, I could have biked a good 20 miles. Each day.
Yes, that's a complete lie.
Yoga doesn't really get you in shape to ride a bike for more than a couple miles. The truth is that I think it's about 5 miles to get down to Lake Harriet, around the lake, and back to my house and my goal is to be in enough shape to do that by May 1.
So, busy streets are not the only catch to my new life as a bike rider. But especially because of the trailer being quite a bit wider than me on the bike, I was nervous about venturing out further than the side streets. I mean, what's the etiquette for when I am biking on the right side of the road (this is America, of course), but need to make a left turn? This is a serious question. Please answer it.
But, finally, tonight, I decided to harness all my courage and go over to Brianna's house. This involves crossing the freeway (AKA certain death.) On the way to Brianna's house, I got off the bike and walked it across the highway overpass. Then I biked on the sidewalk of Penn Avenue until I could turn onto 64th Street, at which point I went back on the black.
After hanging out with Brianna for a short time, Johan and I put our helmets back on for the bike ride home. As I approached the intersection of 64th and Penn, the light turned red. I needed to make a left turn onto Penn Avenue, which is pretty busy. Before the light turned green, another biker pulled up next to me.
Biker: It's so nice out. Isn't it great to get out on the bike again?
Me: Yes, it's great, but I just got this bike and haven't really been biking in a few years.
Biker: Well, welcome back! (Aside: I did not correct him to tell him it wasn't really accurate to welcome me back to a community I had never really joined.)
Me: Thanks. I'm kind of afraid of cars running me over, though.
Biker: Ahhh, you'll be fine. Follow me!
With that, the light had turned green, and Biker turned left onto Penn, indicating for me to "come on." And follow him I did. Right down Penn Avenue and I even crossed the highway overpass without walking.
Obstacle conquered. Next challenge: extreme super BMX bike flips! (Is that a thing?) Maybe the next step will be doing it without a guide, kind as he was. Or, better yet, the next step will just be getting back on that bicycle tomorrow and each day after that.
5 comments:
I'm so happy for you that you've found biking. I love it!
I would recommend getting a book from your local bike shop about trails in your area that are dedicated to bikes, walking, etc. We have found some great trails nearby. The bike paths are mostly paved and the book will tell you how difficult they are, length, elevation rise, etc.
I'm a wuss and don't go on the streets. I guess I have an aversion to getting hit by a car. Good for you for venturing out. Have fun!
This is awesome! I want to go for a ride with you guys when I'm home this summer. I have a TREK too (although when I'm in town I'll have to ride one of my mom's oldies but goodies).
Since I don't have a car, I exclusively get around by bike--which is less daunting in Champaign-Urbana than it was in Chicago. But I still sometimes cross the street twice at the sidewalk rather than turn left from the street at busy intersections. I'm sure MPLS drivers are conscientious, but they still never seem to expect a bike and few drivers expect bikers to obey the rules of the road, so they often seem surprised when you want to share it with them.
There are usually books or pamphlets that outline the best roads for riding in cities (not just paths, but side streets or wide ones, or roads with bike lines). Google it!
I bet you could take Washburn or Sheridan down to the creek, take that over by Lyndhurst, and then get to Lake Harriet that way without too much traffic. Hope the nice weather continues.
Hooray for friendly Minnesotans! Even after living here for almost 3 years, I am still pleasantly surprised when complete strangers are so helpful. I love how the good mood that the end of winter brings spreads so easily.
Also, I have no idea how one makes a left hand turn on a bike on a busy street...but I think you might have to bust out those hand signals (I think a left hand turn is just sticking out your left arm). Happy biking!
Solution:
http://www.inewidea.com/2008/03/17/5411.html
Troy has survived getting hit by a car while on his bike THREE times. He says the best prevention is to make eye contact with drivers as often as possible. Or they'll run you over.
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