First Bike Ride in 2012

This morning I took my bicycle out for the first ride in 2012. Which probably sounds like something spectular… taking my bicycle out… it’s not that great of a bike. Some might see it as a used, old, beaten-up, rusty kind of metal. And it kind of is. But it works for me, 21 gears, cushioned saddle (because there is no way I’d ride without ;-) ), every part of the bike works, so I don’t care what it looks like. Every once in a while I consider investing in a really good bike, but I don’t think it would be a wise investment. Yes, I might go cycling a bit more, I might even be faster and able to conquer the hills/mountains more easily, but if I’m honest, I don’t think I would go cycling that much more or enjoy it that much more that it would be worth the whole lot of money a new and good bike would cost me. I like cycling and I plan on doing it a lot more over the next few months, but I can do that with the bike I already have.

Anyway, I went cycling this morning and as I live in an area with quite a few hills I didn’t want to have to start with one of those. And I also know all the tracks around here so well, that it’s kind of boring to cycle there. There is another reason I like cycling as exercise. It’s an easy and nice way to get around and see other places and areas if you’re willing to take the train or the car to starting point farther away from your home town. Which is what I did this morning. But I admit the reluctance to start this cycling year with going up a (tiny) hill might have been the key factor in this decision. It took me over an hour to get to my starting point, but I didn’t mind it that much, because I like riding the train and watch the scenery, especially if it’s a route I haven’t been travelling before. And there also is the nice past time of “people watching”. :-)

I choose a path along a river and had a wonderful time, outside, in the sun, with not a lot of cars around and – as today is a public holiday in German- thankfully also without any trucks. Out in the more rural area south of our metropolitan region, trucks are really annyoing when you’re out cycling, because not all of the roads have a cycling lane close by. When I got back into the metropolitan area I was cycling on some of the many cycling paths we’ve got here and it’s always nice to not be bothered by traffic in general. Of course there were a lot of other cyclist (older, slower ones and families with small kids) and also a lot of people just taking a walk in this wonderful weather. So the paths along the river and reservoirs got a bit crowded and that’s one of the reason why I usually try to avoid those paths on the weekend or holidays. But as it was my first trip this year and I needed it to be on a flat track, I wasn’t too bothered by it. Yet. Ask me again at the end of summer ;-)

I took a few photos along the way. I admit I might turn into a Instagramaholic one of these days ;-) But at least it makes me pay more attention to my surroundings, even if it’s with a constant “Would that make a good photo?” thought in the back of my mind. Not to mention that I don’t even think any of my photos is especially good in anyway. It’s just a fun way to pass the time. For now at least… Maybe I’ll loose interest sooner or later. Who knows. Anyway, only with the “potential photo” thought lingering in my mind I noticed how many bridges I crossed over or passed under during these 40 kilometers. Towards the end I started taking pictures of some of them and I might keep that up for some more time, because I do come across a lot of bridges every day on my way to work.

Fitness-wise I didn’t have any problems with the 40 km, so that’s a good sign at least. I might go for a longer route next weekend and even climb a hill or two. Unless my legs are killing me tomorrow :-) But I’ve rested for most of the afternoon (in front of the TV, watching “In Plain Sight, I admit it), so I’m sure I’ll be fine tomorrow…