AS EASY AS RIDING A BIKE

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.


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Copyright CE Ayr

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.

21 responses to “AS EASY AS RIDING A BIKE”

  1. The struggle to keep up is real. Very well-written, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It certainly is. Thanks Sailaja

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Laughing.
    You’re in Scotland, it’s raining today!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 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.

      Like

  3. 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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Nice take on the prompt! We all struggle to keep up.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Great! Rain helps 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s a good excuse!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 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!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perhaps a tricycle? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. A fair weather cyclist – maybe he needs a job as a paperboy or papergirl? Nice sedate take on the prompt, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. 🙂 It’s so much easier to get off your bike than sticking with the healthy/ wet option.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sadly, it is all too easy! But I’m struggling on even as summer turns to autumn!

      Liked by 1 person

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