Wheels

Recently, I made an exciting purchase that has brought a whole new world of adventure to my life: a bike.

Yes, after 8 months of walking everywhere, I got a bit tired of the long commutes to work and the store and decided to buy a bike. If I'm being honest, I'll tell you that pretty much the only thing I thought of when deciding to make this purchase is that biking to work takes half the time of walking. I figured I'd take the same path that I walk, which is flat, so it would be a breeze to cycle my way to the office every day. It took one day, one way to realize that I did not consider all the factors.

To all my friends here in Edinburgh who encouraged me by suggesting that the ride to work is actually down hill. You are right. It is. But that means it is uphill on the way back. And, those hills that are barely noticeable walking can be downright painful riding. Plus, has anyone noticed that there are some serious hills here in Edinburgh?

Plus, despite Edinburgh's wide network of bike paths, there is no way to get from point A to point B without riding on the road. With cars. And buses. And cranky drivers who apparently don't care about bikers.

Even on the paths there are dangers....unleashed dogs, pedestrians (90% of whom seem oblivious to bikers), other bikers, and--seriously--birds.

I won't even mention cobblestone roads. Ouch.

My biggest obstacle: the twice daily traumatic flashbacks I have every time I ride over this little patch of slick, wet pavement on the Water of Leith walkway, near our flat. Really. I kid you not. Twice a day I ride over this and I instinctively remember a bike ride I took with my dad, along the Olentangy River, when I was a little girl. I was wearing a cute lavender and white shorts and tank top outfit that I loved. My bike slipped on a slick patch of the path and I fell. Hard. Ruined my outfit. Pretty sure I got scraped up a bit too.

But, you will be proud, I have taken my new calling as a cycler to heart and have endeavored to meet these challenges (helmet-covered) head on. I have biked to and from work every day for two weeks. I have even biked to client appointments which involved some long distance, uphill journeys along heavily trafficked roads (okay, well, I actually did get scared once and ended up walking on the side walk with my bike for half a mile, but that part isn't really important). I even rode to church in the rain. After 2 weeks, I am more confident riding in the street and don't have to get off my bike any more to walk around various obstacles. Walkers don't pass me anymore.

I think I've arrived.

Just call me Amanda Dangerfield.

(p.s. Apparently this choice to bike is also quite environmentally friendly and has loads of health benefits. So, actually you can just call me awesome).