Smooth sailing?

The smell of fried dough bubbling out of the bakery, the morning sun glinting off the water, the crisp, clean air in your lungs - being on a bicycle means just being there in a way that you can't from a car. And the exercise and fresh air both have a surprisingly similar effect as a caffeine fix. Plus there's the ability to fly through red lights and cross streets with just a little more ease than the creeping along, waiting for your moment, infuriating frustration of sitting behind the wheel. And you still get to work at the same time, maybe earlier. So why not ride your bike everyday, everywhere?

This was my logic about a month ago – before I actually started to ride my bike everywhere. Since the weather finally broke about five weeks ago, I’ve glided to work, class, the store and even Sunday brunch on two wheels rather than four. And while it’s been great for my sanity and my thighs, it’s also admittedly not been the easiest undertaking.

Today I rode home in the pouring rain, for example. Imagine jumping in a giant, dirty Boston pothole puddle, feet first – now picture me riding home from work this afternoon. I might as well have swam home in the humidity-blasting thunderstorm-slash-deluge. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that my moccasins manage to bounce back from the drenching.

Even on those smiley days that the sun is out and the ride is breezy and you feel like you’re in a Disney movie, though, bike riding is no feat for the weak of heart. Note to all drivers: If you hug the curb at the intersection, then a bike can’t get by. Share the road. Please. And look before you open your car door on a city street. My hands may be quick with the brakes, but my legs are quicker, and by bike is moving pretty fast. Can’t stop on a dime. You’re the one in the car, after all. You’re going to get there before me, anyway. What’s the rush for?

It may save a little bit of gas money and may be more fun to glide down three straight miles of hills than to snake up six stories of a parking garage, but it’s still a commute. And I know I’m lucky to be in the minority of people who actually can ride their bikes most places they want to go, including work. I appreciate that, believe me. But I’ve just got to keep reminding myself of two things: wear a helmet, and keep a raincoat in the backpack at all times. Because on a bike, you just don’t know.