Some people are attracted to the old (Ed) -- old, worn out, broken, always fixable, always preferable -- some are drawn to the new (me). We're not extreme -- Ed is interested in new technologies, I love our repeated walk, my familiar hotel. But time and again Ed has said how much he likes just being here, in his familiar setting, doing what we usually do, in our rarely changing, peaceful corner. And me? Yes, I share that, but so often, the new is just so exciting that I latch on to it as if it were some miraculous cure-all for all that's wrong with this world.
This is exactly what happened today.
I have my friend Suzanne to blame. I had met up with her a few days back and she told me about her experiences with e-bikes. All positive! We have in Madison a network of B-Bikes -- electrical bikes that you rent for short spurts of time, depositing them at whatever station you are close to when you're done -- but I pretty much ignored them. I've talked on and off about trying out such a bike but I haven't done much more than talk about it. Suzanne suggested that I actually try riding one. I repeated this to Ed and he reminded me that the new development next to us has a B-Bike station, where I can pick up an electric bike anytime, and as a UW faculty member (Emerita, but still in the system!), I need only pay $65 per year to ride with the wind!
Back in the days when I became a newly divorced person, I took on bike riding in a serious way. Meeting Ed just pushed me harder in that direction. I'd ride to work. I'd ride from Madison to his farmette. I'd ride from UW to Paul's Cafe where we'd so often meet up in the late afternoons. He and I would do loops around the rural roads here, ones that would last many hours. We even did a week-long bike trip together in southern France. Brutal stuff! With packs and passports tucked into saddle bags.
But I began to have trepidations. Many of them. I never loved the hills. My legs just never got strong enough to get used to long steep inclines. And we live on a hill, so that every ride from the farmette ended with a climb on the return. Which I hated. Too, Rural roads have their problems: ever since smart phones became ubiquitous, people's driving habits have deteriorated and I feel vulnerable sharing a road with speeding distracted drivers. And there are the dogs! I only have had one encounter with a barking growling dog chasing me down a road, but Ed has had several, and some have resulted in dog bites. Biking around here has lost its shine for me I've gone now two years without once taking out my bike.
And then things changed: bicycle paths were added, including one that cuts right through the development. And e-bikes, or in the case of the rentals, B-Bikes became ubiquitous.
So is it time to try biking again? Suzanne encouraged me, and Ed gave the final push when he said this morning -- get the App on your phone and let's borrow a bike for just one try. $5. Let's see how it works.
Animals and garden walk first. I ignore the water hose.
And breakfast: it's back to oatmeal for me!
And then, with my loaded Smart phone, we walk over to the B-Bike station. I let Ed try it out first. He's such a cycle nut that he deserves to be at the head of the line. After his spin around the block, it's my turn.
And I love it! So much! Is it the novelty of the experience? I wonder... If it wasn't that I'm all spent out from all my travel, I swear I'd be at an e-bike showroom this afternoon, at least aspirationally! Ed (and my bank account) sensibly holds me back. Just rent it already! They do the maintenance, they do the charging. Don't get a new one!
I wont. Not just yet. First I'll sell my moped and my old bike. Both are pretty worn, but it will be a good start for a downpayment. And for at least the next few months, I'll ride like the wind on a rented B-bike!
Already today, I waved goodbye to Ed and took off. To the Capitol City trail, one that's so familiar from years of use, now mine again!
(with pauses to admire...)
Now, how does all this fit into my new knee issues? Well, I have to make sure I do not fall. I can be careless, taking pictures in motion and thus veering off toward the soft shoulder. Soooo me! At least for now I swear I will be super careful. I do NOT want another knee surgery this year!
In the afternoon, I again ignore the hose. And toward evening, we go over to the bike station again. Ed's on his bike, I take out one of the B-Bikes and we pedal over to Lake Waubesa. It's a beautiful day to be out and about again, on a bicycle. With an assist that makes all the difference in the world. No pain, lots to gain!
