The hardest part about having a baby and all that for me, was giving up my bicycling for almost TWO YEARS!!! It all started one day when we headed out to the trails for the first time of the season and I found myself falling behind, feeling exhausted, and completely unable to keep up.
"what the heck," I thought, "I must be very out of shape!" Well, actually, later that day I took a pregnancy test and just barely saw a pink line. I took one a couple days later and that line was strong and bright. I did ride a few more times before I became visciously nauseous for the next 3 months a couple weeks later.
Since then, my bicycling has been hindered greatly by that annoyingly protruding belly that seems to come along with carrying another person in your body, and then ultimately, the carrying of that wee person on the outside of my body 24-7 (usually in some way hooked to my boob) for the year following her birth.
Last spring, when the break in winter weather beckons you outdoors for play, Annika was about five months or so. I would arrange a babysitter so I could sneak away on an hour or less ride, but really that was only possible a couple of times-- and even though my bike called loudly, my housework, yardwork and a million other things called more loudly when I had a babysitter and no plans.
I began plotting ways to carry her tiny self along with me so I could ride again, and when she was 7 months or so my dad gave us a backseat for my bike. Totally pumped, I had the thing installed and with high hopes, bought Annika a nice yellow helmet. Looking forward to riding everywhere with her and getting reacquainted with my bike, I put her in the seat and tried to put the helmet on her.
She slouched practically out of the seat and the helmet could have fit two of her heads. Determined, I took off anyway. The bike was terribly awkward after a year of not riding and 20 pounds of seat and baby on the back end. Annika started crying immediately and that first ride lasted about ... 15 seconds! I was so disappointed!
Subsequent tries were always equally disappointing and things got worse as she got older and began to panic about having the helmet strapped around her neck. Bicycling would just have to wait for an indefinate period longer...
The spring this year that followed an extremely harsh and cold winter called loudly as ever for us to get out and enjoy, and naturally biking became my goal again! For the first couple months it was a pointless struggle again. While Annika could sit comfortably in her seat this year, she hated her helmet more than ever. But this time I persisted (with plenty of encouragement from my dad, who helped me get her to wear her helmet) and eventually she just settled in and accepted the helmet.
Now she loves to ride the bike and prefers riding over driving (as do I) so I am back to riding again! We ride all over and I commute as often as I can by bike, which saves me a TON of gas (last week I only put in 15 dollars and still had some to spare when the weekend came around).
So what's to love so much about riding and why do I prefer to ride?
- Riding feels so good! I love the wind in my face and the grind of propelling myself forward. It feels good to ride and my body feels great after I ride-- it helps me to have a better day overall!
- 100% renewable and earth-friendly fuel! Sure, I could go out and drop a bunch of bucks on gasoline or if I'm green, even more bucks on a hybrid car and gasoline, or I can utilize the fuel that I already have plenty of every single day. I spend a good percentage of my paycheck on food and damnit, I choose to use my food-fuel to the fullest potential. I want to maximize the benefits of eating and give back to my own pocket -- through saving on gas and using my own personal green machine (my body!) to take up the slack.
- When you ride outside instead of sealed inside your car, you get the benefit of a fuller sensual experience. The view is better when it's not the back of a car you're looking at, the air is crisp in your face, your hair gets tickled by the wind, your skin feels good and you notice things on your route that you never saw before in the car.
- Cars Stink! As you're enjoying your fuller sensual experience, you also notice as you cross busy roads or ride among traffic that car exhaust makes you want to choke! I feel good when I'm riding because I know that at that time I am not emitting a nasty stank (not to mention about a million pollutants) into our nice environment. Yes, I might have a slight air of sweat or body odor when I get to my destination, but I always clean up and change my clothes before clocking in or settling down to be around people, and anyway, my BO is much less offensive and harmful than car exhaust! HOo!!
- Riding with kids has multi-generational benefits for our environment and world. Riding with my daughter teaches her the life-lesson that non-petrol options of transportation are both viable and reliable! She will not grow up to be defeated by sprawl and become a slave to her car. She will grow up planning for slightly(but not by much) longer transport times for taking the bike, and self-propelled transportation will be normal for her.
- I never have to take time out to "exercise." My lifestyle is exercise: I will always be fit.
These are the reasons I ride. Any questions?
