Between Running and Flying
Big owl out by the airport showed me that it was so easy because I was riding with the wind, flap flap, glide...flap flap, glide...then turned around. That means I have to bike into the wind (uphill) to get home. I had just flashed on Icarus watching planes launch themselves into the sky. Additionally I had forgotten my water bottle which is my body's way of telling me not to go for too long a ride. Intuition at work.
I got far enough to realize that it's only about a half hour ride to a beach along the Columbia River from where I live. I found via internets and bike maps that there's a non-motorized path that goes most of the way from ne 33rd ave to Blue Lake Park way out between Troutdale and the river. I had already burned enough energy in getting downtown to the PSU Bike Hub and then (with lots of help) cleaned all the spinning parts, replaced the rear axle bolt and chain, re-packed the rear bearings, adjusted the brakes, and my bike is now amazing. So I had to go for a ride to see what's out that super long bike trail along the Columbia river.
The only thing I really ever missed about having a car was the ability to get out of town when I want to. The bike gives me that ability again. There's a whole new level of Portland's reality structure that becomes available to perception when non motorized stereo wheels are your way of getting around the city. I can't run as fast as an owl can fly.
I got far enough to realize that it's only about a half hour ride to a beach along the Columbia River from where I live. I found via internets and bike maps that there's a non-motorized path that goes most of the way from ne 33rd ave to Blue Lake Park way out between Troutdale and the river. I had already burned enough energy in getting downtown to the PSU Bike Hub and then (with lots of help) cleaned all the spinning parts, replaced the rear axle bolt and chain, re-packed the rear bearings, adjusted the brakes, and my bike is now amazing. So I had to go for a ride to see what's out that super long bike trail along the Columbia river.
The only thing I really ever missed about having a car was the ability to get out of town when I want to. The bike gives me that ability again. There's a whole new level of Portland's reality structure that becomes available to perception when non motorized stereo wheels are your way of getting around the city. I can't run as fast as an owl can fly.