Another one shot passed me, hunched over his handle bars, dressed in garish tight lycra. I could feel the disdain directed towards me s he accelerated away.
Think of the positives: the fresh air; the exercise; helping the environment; saving money on petrol; avoiding the traffic congestion.
It all started with the building of a new bridge over the river, connecting cycle routes on either bank, which meant I could get to and from work without having to endanger myself on a major road.
I hadn’t anticipated the poor state of the cycle routes, which included sharing pavements with annoyed pedestrians and avoiding pot-holes, lampposts and bus shelters.
In the fifteen years since I had last regularly cycled, things had changed. Now everyone sped around on racing bikes like they were on their own Tour de France.
I pottered along at a snail’s pace with the constant ringing of bells from behind as I shuffled over to the side to let another speedster through.
The morning commute was enjoyable enough. It was mainly downhill. The worst was still to come: the climb back up the hill to get home again.
Hopefully it’ll be raining tomorrow. Then I can take the car.
Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Susan Spaulding. For more details visit HERE. For a change, this story is autobiographical as I have recently started cycling to and from my work.
To read more of the stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
The struggle to keep up is real. Very well-written, Iain.
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It certainly is. Thanks Sailaja
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You are welcome, Iain.
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Laughing.
You’re in Scotland, it’s raining today!
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I reckon another couple of weeks and I can put the bike in the shed for the next 6 months before we see any sun or dry weather again.
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What a fun read. It has been years since I cycled and can’t imagine doing that now. But it is a great form of exercise and it does have it’s benefits. I like the last line about the rain. Let’s hope it does rain the next day 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Nice take on the prompt! We all struggle to keep up.
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Thanks Rosemary
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Great! Rain helps 🙂
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It’s a good excuse!
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A wait worth waiting for. Lovely writing, Kelly.
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Thanks
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I walked six miles uphill to get to school, and six miles uphill to get home. 🙂
I really wasn’t a bike rider. Not a lot of places to do it when I was little, living in NYC. My friend from HS was a bike rider, and he attempted to teach me how to ride: my first one ended with me hitting a tree and going arse over teakettle.
Fun ending.
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Thanks Stu. So far I have avoided any accidents – although I seem to remember I had quite a few when I was younger. I wonder how I survived given these were the days before cycle helmets!
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At least you can say you gave it a shot. I do admire anyone who can ride a bike any distance at all. When I was kid, it was easy but I think I would look silly with training wheels at my age.
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Perhaps a tricycle? 🙂
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A fair weather cyclist – maybe he needs a job as a paperboy or papergirl? Nice sedate take on the prompt, Iain.
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Thanks Kelvin
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🙂 It’s so much easier to get off your bike than sticking with the healthy/ wet option.
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Sadly, it is all too easy! But I’m struggling on even as summer turns to autumn!
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