Don't Give Up!

This article is in response to a blog entry on the CU Bookstore blog:
http://cubookstore.blogspot.com/2009/09/face-off-biking-versus-walking.html)

An un-cycled life is not worth walking! I recently read a blog on the cubookstore.blogspot.com that discouraged me. A student of CU gave up her bicycle for walking, and I just don’t think she gave it a college try. I want to extend this post to that student, and encourage her to get back on, and try again. I can’t imagine not riding my bike everyday, but I understand the concerns some may have when navigating campus.

First, let me address the issue that campus sits on a hill. Until I read this in the post, I forgot the topography of campus. After you fully dedicate yourself, hills become afterthoughts, and climbs put a smile on your face. I come from the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, so maybe I’m accustomed to climbing, but you can learn too.

As for the obstacle course of people, it rarely bothers me to slow down and ring my bell. Boulderites respond when they know a biker’s behind them, something you may not find in other communities. Also you may want to consider passing on the left, not the right. Think about it like the highway, right lanes for coasting, left lanes for passing, just make sure no one’s in the way.

Finally, don’t give up after one bad fall. We all crash, and sure it hurts, but that just makes you a better rider. I crash on a weekly basis, but because of my frequent falls I know how dismount without getting hurt. You’re not alone in worrying about crashing, but you can regain confidence, it just takes time.

So, Laura of the cubookstore.blogspot.com, consider these few quick tips to get you back out on your bike. Try riding once or twice a week, start slow, you may find you begin to rekindle your bicycle relationship. Also, ride through the nice weather, and walk in the snow. Boulder maintains mild, sunny weather throughout the winter, sometimes throwing on the hat and gloves and riding to class perks you up for those 8am classes. Face it, walking is slow, buses are crowded, and cars…well don’t get me started, you know your bike misses you, go take it for a ride, bikes never disappoint.