Bicycling in Bloomington

It was an easy bike week. Only 2 morning rides. My commutes were more interesting because the many drivers new to Bloomington are challenged by the traffic patterns. And, many young adults are testing their freedom in expected ways.

I was asked to do some courier work for our unit this week because it’s often easier for me to travel across campus or downtown locations on a bicycle than for others who have to drive or walk. Usually I don’t mind because it allows me to get out of the office and on the bike. I enjoy my time on the bike, even when drivers are challenging.

Last Sunday, while riding on the Louisville streets and sidewalks, I noticed how much fun I was having on the bike - jumping curbs, riding across unpaved areas, making tight turns around intersections. On the way home, I realized that I have fully bonded with my commuting bike.

I bought the bike about a year ago. I use it for commuting, morning rides, and some longer rides of up to 2 hours. It’s a Trek SU100. It’s considered an urban sport bike. It’s mostly like a mountain bike but without a compression fork and the tires are 1.5″.

Over the years, I’ve bonded with many bikes; mostly the bikes I’ve used to commute. At some point, these bikes become like good horses. We understand each other well; we know our capabilities, and we respect each other. Sometimes I lead my bike and sometimes it leads me. Last Sunday, for instance, I jump a curb onto the sidewalk at the wrong place. There was a light post on the other side of a short sidewalk. I don’t remember turning left to avoid it (I was mildly paralyzed while considering options) but the bike made the appropriate decision.

Many readers might think it’s strange to say the bike behaved appropriately but many who have used a bike for a long time will understand the relationship between a rider and a regularly used bicycle. They become one entity.