a different kind of ride

today i decided to ride my bike around town. it was the perfect day: apple-crisp air, one cloud here, another there, and wind with a mind of its own. every time i ride my bike, i inevitably ask myself why i don't do it more often. for one, i despise traffic. especially la traffic. but hop on the trusty bike, and POOF! traffic anxiety, be gone! and second, there's the absolute pleasure of peddling, of gliding down the street, of weaving between people, cars, you name it. my face breaking the wind ahead of me. my hair thankfully secured by its roots. my scarf, tailing behind. pure jubilation.

nothing looks the same when i'm on my bike. i ride down the street i walk every day, and the scene is just different. like i'm wearing glasses that transform the mundane into the lovely. the bright. the cheery. on my bike, i can't help but wave to everyone i pass...sometimes sing aloud the tune in my head. i can't help but capture the freedom, internalize it, and let it manifest as a smile. not even the wind can blow that off :o)