1 post tagged “social”
There are two types of people who can be seen biking the streets of downtown. The first group ride shiny new mountain bikes or high end ten speeds, wear all manner of safety gear, and travel in straight lines. The second commute on a variety of two wheeled contraptions with the majority being old Schwinns, sport Hawaiian shirts, and meander across sidewalks, roads, and traffic. And then there’s me.
I don’t own a Hawaiian shirt, and even though my legs are slender and muscular, the idea of wrapping them in skin tight polyester for all the world to see isn’t appealing. I’m self conscious.
In the mornings I travel in straight lines, but on the way home I meander. I have an old Schwinn. I shun safety gear, but my motivations are more allied with the first group, I hate my car and am addicted to endorphins.
The straight liners are social, successful people, professionals sporting their way to work every morning, and nod or wave as I ride past. Those that meander never look me in the eye as if ashamed of failure, and I imagine their choice of locomotion isn’t voluntary, the result of a DUI or some other nonsuccess.
But in the perilous concrete landscape where we scurry about like rodents amongst larger more vicious and potent creatures, I have yet to identify with any fellow biker. Be it that I am a “professional” tackling yet another challenge, I evade the image with my corroded bike and casual appearance. I have no desire, or capital, to accomplish that, yet when I cross the path of another rusted Schwinn with a middle aged, greasy guy in a flower patterned button down and blue jeans, I recognize the superficial similarities, and it conflicts with my self image. I am torn.
Social creatures long to identify with each other, but as I search the rectangle jungle of metal, noise, and hard, unforgiving surfaces, I can’t find that comrade to re-enforce all that I believe I am. I am alone, lost in a wilderness of ambition and circumstance, fulfilling a desire while distracting myself from the harder realities of life.
