U.S.: Me and My Bicycle
A little less than a month ago during a phone conversation with my Peace Corps recruiter, I was asked the question, "How comfortable would you be with riding a bike for long periods of time, occasionally in extreme heat?" I excitedly responded by saying, "Very comfortable! I love biking."
My bike and I have had many a great excursion together on both the country roads of central Minnesota as well as the city streets of Fargo-Moorhead. There was one time when I accidentally (I promise it was accidental) ran over a squirrel whose poor timing collided with my rotating bike tires. I thought that would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but much to my surprise it happened again on a separate occasion over a year later in a completely different area in Minnesota. I do feel bad for the two unfortunate critters, but at least they both survived...as far as I am aware. Another fond memory with my bike includes towing my rollerblading friends through Concordia's campus, basically an activity which served as a cure for boredom and restlessness. My bike and I are true companions, going together like PB&J, and like any relationship we have had our share of trials as well. For example, about two months ago some cruel, heartless thief thought it would be funny to cut my bike lock and steal my bike right off the rack outside of my apartment. I reported the theft to campus security, called the Moorhead police, and held onto a thread of hope that my beloved bicycle would somehow magically reappear right where I had left it. That didn't happen, but fortunately about three weeks after it was stolen it was in fact recovered and returned to campus. I may never know the adventures my bike had without me in those three weeks, but nevertheless it is now back in my possession and I am undoubtedly content.
And here comes a bit of sad news. You know those moments of complete denial when your heart drops into a pit in your stomach and you think, oh that could NEVER happen to me. Then a moment later you realize that, yes, in fact it just has happened to me. And all you can respond with are the words, "Well shoot." The other day I was nonchalantly riding my bike to the public library when suddenly the load became a little more tough to bear. The thought of a flat tire crossed my mind, but I just didn't want to believe it right away. That was silly of me. Belief or unbelief wasn't going to help me an ounce in that situation - my bike had a flat tire - end of story. Seeing that my bike is my favorite and main mode of transportation, something must be done. On that note, I am off to fix my flat tire so that my bike and I can gear up for the next big adventure.
My bike and I have had many a great excursion together on both the country roads of central Minnesota as well as the city streets of Fargo-Moorhead. There was one time when I accidentally (I promise it was accidental) ran over a squirrel whose poor timing collided with my rotating bike tires. I thought that would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but much to my surprise it happened again on a separate occasion over a year later in a completely different area in Minnesota. I do feel bad for the two unfortunate critters, but at least they both survived...as far as I am aware. Another fond memory with my bike includes towing my rollerblading friends through Concordia's campus, basically an activity which served as a cure for boredom and restlessness. My bike and I are true companions, going together like PB&J, and like any relationship we have had our share of trials as well. For example, about two months ago some cruel, heartless thief thought it would be funny to cut my bike lock and steal my bike right off the rack outside of my apartment. I reported the theft to campus security, called the Moorhead police, and held onto a thread of hope that my beloved bicycle would somehow magically reappear right where I had left it. That didn't happen, but fortunately about three weeks after it was stolen it was in fact recovered and returned to campus. I may never know the adventures my bike had without me in those three weeks, but nevertheless it is now back in my possession and I am undoubtedly content.
And here comes a bit of sad news. You know those moments of complete denial when your heart drops into a pit in your stomach and you think, oh that could NEVER happen to me. Then a moment later you realize that, yes, in fact it just has happened to me. And all you can respond with are the words, "Well shoot." The other day I was nonchalantly riding my bike to the public library when suddenly the load became a little more tough to bear. The thought of a flat tire crossed my mind, but I just didn't want to believe it right away. That was silly of me. Belief or unbelief wasn't going to help me an ounce in that situation - my bike had a flat tire - end of story. Seeing that my bike is my favorite and main mode of transportation, something must be done. On that note, I am off to fix my flat tire so that my bike and I can gear up for the next big adventure.
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