Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I refuse to buy a bike.

For those who are reading this who may be uninformed on this topic, Madison, Wisconsin LOVES bikes. They just love the bikes. They're freakin' everywhere. The city is FULL of bike shops. I swear there are more bike shops than grocery stores-- what's up with that?

People in Madison ride their bikes pretty much everywhere, and the bikers and pedestrians totally rule the downtown area. They pedal and walk whenever they want. They don't seem to give a shit about what a traffic sign may say. Anyone using any form of transportation other than a car seems to have the ultimate say in what's going on with the traffic. Car drivers like me are totally in the backseat when it comes to the downtown roads. We have no say. It's not our turf.

But here's the problem: I refuse to buy a bike. I have not ridden a bike since elementary school and I just have no interest in ever doing so again. I enjoy being comfortable in my Volvo. I really do. Also, I have a bad back and hunching over on a bike is no good. I have been a competitive figure skater for 20 years and I have truly sacrificed my body to the sport (yup, you got it, doing unnatural things to your body with the constant risk of falling on ice is in fact detrimental later in life). I truly love skating and I am willing to deal with the pain. It's a blood sport, but it's worth it. BUT... the last thing I need in my life is a bike. I'd wreck my back even more than it's already been wrecked, plus I'd be risking falling over on the pavement (trust me, I fall quite often, and it would definitely happen). I am particularly good at tripping over absolutely nothing. Imagine me on a bike... it's doomed to be dangerous.

I truly wish I had a dollar for every person who has suggested that I buy a bike. I'd be quite wealthy. And for the record, I would definitely invest that money in figure skating, not biking.

11 comments:

  1. I think it's kind of nice to see that level of street activity! My guess is you'll grow accustomed to it. I'm moving from a very small city with very little street activity to, well, New York! Lots of adjustments.

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  2. How can you say a bike would be no good for you, when you admit to not riding one since elementary school? As someone who has frequented Madison's downtown, I love how a lot of people are out and about. You probably shouldn't have moved to the closest city to Trek's headquarters if you hate bikes so much!

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  3. @Anonymous:

    It is nice to see people out and about. I don't hate the bikes, I'm just having a rough time getting used to them.

    I'm sorry if you got a negative impression from this post... remember I'm from 900 miles away and it's going to take awhile for me to feel at home here.

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  4. I think you'll get used to the bikes eventually. I don't think you deserve the response you got from anonymous - you are coming from an area with very little bike traffic, and it's something to get used to!

    Also, you probably didn't know Trek's headquarters were nearby when you moved to Wisconsin.. what, three weeks ago??

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  5. Thanks, Francie. And you're right, I'll totally get used to it.

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  6. Did you ever find a grocery store? I like Woodmans, Jenifer St Market, Willy St Co-op. I've heard good things about the Hy-Vee on E Washington too.

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  7. I have been doing my grocery shopping at Super Wal Mart & Trader Joe's... I do plan to visit the Willy Street Co-Op soon, though!

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  8. Oh yes, Trader Joe's is good too. :) Woodmans has pretty good prices and a large selection, if you want to get that sort of thing from somewhere other than the Super Wal Mart. :)

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  9. Yeah no super-wal mart ewww. Hy-Vee and Copps are my favorite supermarkets after TJ's and the Willy St. Co-op, and Woodmans if I need to shop cheaply. There's no reason in the world to set foot in a Wal-Mart if you live in Madison.

    As for the bikes, I was once a lot like you. Hadn't ridden since a spectacular wipe out in middle school, not interested in learning. Then, I finally did it to help support my friend who was helping to set up the first WNBR. Getting around parts of Madison by bike is so much friggin' easier than by car, and it makes you feel GREAT. Sure you don't have to buy a bike now, but don't rule it out forever on the basis of culture shock. :)

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  10. ALSO! Biking has been the best thing ever for my Raynaud's. The boost to my circulation from even my little 5.5 mile round-trip commute (about 25 minutes on my bike total) each day has been amazing.

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  11. Super Wal Mart in Monona attracts quite an unusual crowd... the prices are dirt cheap though, which I love. I'd much rather spend money on clothing and yarn than groceries.

    I have seen one Hy-Vee and a few Copps... definitely on my to-do list, along with the Willy Street Co-Op.

    I truly don't think I can bike because of my back problems, but I have been thinking about how fun it could be to drive a Vespa. My mom of course says they are very dangerous. Who knows what new things I'll try here :)

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