February/March Editorial
As we were preparing this issue I was reminded of the first time I had a relationship with another cyclist. He was one hot biker – and I was smitten. This turned out to be a bit dangerous in traffic. On our bikes, out on the road, we’d be talking, flirting and generally trying to impress one another, then along would come a truck and scare the pants off us.
Out on dates with him, I remember becoming aware of my own reckless riding style. I’d been riding for about 13 years as a commuter – but I wasn’t in the habit of using hand signals, or even riding with other people very often. Several times I darted out into traffic before realizing that he would be squashed if he took the same path. I distinctly remember yelling, “Don’t follow me!”
Needless to say, a few brushes with death created tension between us – and there were conversations about how we might more safely comport ourselves when riding together. After the difficult and heated moments had passed, I found the whole experience fascinating. We had learned lessons which also applied to our relationship (in those days I was sooo analytical about love). It struck me how we needed to maintain our awareness of ourselves as individuals, navigating through traffic, and through life – one not blindly following the other. This was particularly key for me as I didn’t want to subordinate my sense of purpose in life to that of my lover. I had made that mistake before! For a strong relationship, I needed to have a clear course of my own. I needed to maintain my own direction. I thought it was an apt metaphor. Not being bound together in the same vehicle, we were individuals choosing – for however long or briefly – to ride together. We had freedom, autonomy and by our choosing we also had togetherness.
Since then I’ve been fortunate to love other bikers – ah bikers! And going places by bike – or just riding is always a sweet part of the relationship. If you’re a biker-lover you know what I mean: gliding through traffic together silently, riding behind them and touching their bum,watching them move, kissing and riding at the same time – ok that’s kind of dangerous…. Overall my skills when riding with a sweetheart have
improved. I’ve learned to be more communicative. I signal. I’ve even been known to agree on a route ahead of time.
For novice bikers falling in love for the first time with another two-wheeled traveler, I hope you’ll be extra careful in traffic. The object of your affection can be mighty distracting when you should have your eyes on the road. But once you learn to balance looking out for yourself and keeping pace with your partner, love on two wheels is super sweet.
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Published in Momentum No. 34
The "Travel Issue" features cycling destinations and trips from across Canada and the world. In the issue we travel to the Big Apple to interview tough and hardy New York, as well as look at cycle touring the in Quebec, Canada and Tokyo, Japan.
