Go ride a bike.

 

“I get around (get around round round I get around)

From town to town (get around round round I get around)

I'm a real cool head (get around round round I get around)

I'm makin' real good bread (get around round round I get around).”

About 8 years ago, Chicagoans began to see more bikes on streets and sidewalks. I remember them on sidewalks because I would think, “is this okay to do?”  I believe the answer was “no” but it of course still happens today.

The company is called “Divvy” and when they entered Chicago they had 300 bikes to rent. Painted light-blue in color, they also have four stars to represent the Chicago flag. Why is it called Divvy?  Think “divvy it up” and sharing the ride with others. Based upon how the system has grown to nearly 6000 bikes, I would say it appears to be working!

When I was a kid, my “wheels” were bikes; I had several of them, because as I grew, the bikes didn’t grow with me. The one I remember most was a blue bike with a “banana seat”; there were a few other things I remember about it, but for sure the most memorable was the seat. It was made of plastic, and would literally “bake” in the St. Louis sun during the summer—because I would wear shorts, you can probably guess how painful it was when I got on to ride.

This past fall we went bike riding in our community. We went to a friend’s house and I was told, “we have a bike for you to ride.” They sure did. it was a racing bike with a seat that didn’t have an ounce of padding on it. Not one ounce. I got on and we were on our way. I figured we would ride for about 20 minutes and we would be done. I was wrong. We went for more than 8 miles each way—thankfully we stopped for dinner, and then we were off for another 8 mile ride back.

Now typically I have found that going there feels longer than coming back. Well, once again I was wrong. My butt was so sore I was not sure I would be able to stand or sit once we were done. Fortunately I was able to stand and get off the bike—-because the next 2 days I was barely able to move. I learned from our friends that when you ride these types of bikes, you wear padded shorts. I was wearing shorts and the only padding was on my legs and let’s just say they were not enjoying it.

I have not been on a bike since this memorable ride, and whereas I am sure I will again do it one day….if I ever see a bike with the racing bike seats again, I am turning around and either walking or getting back into my car.

The photo above was taken in November in downtown Chicago. As bikes wait for riders, and we wait for the pandemic to end, I know for sure in a few months we will be out and about. For me, I will make sure there is a comfortable seat where I sit.

Thanks for stopping by.