Oh, The Places You'll Go!

 

In praise of Baron von Drais. Or perhaps Karl Kech. Or Pierre Lallement. Or Leonardo da Vinci. (Actually, not Leo. Those drawings turned out to be a hoax.) 

The identity of bicycle inventor may be disputed but whoever was responsible, there is no dispute from this quarter that the bicycle is the most glorious form of transport ever invented. Transport from place to place at a pace that allows the rider to absorb the beauties and the weirdnesses of the planet. But also transports the spirit to a calmer place, breathing the fresh air, escaping from a world of woe.

Of course, every motorcyclist makes the same claims ... but the noise, oh the noise. A bicycle ride is communion with the natural world, minus the fumes, an opportunity for solitude and silence. (Wind in your ears is as good as silence.) But even better, cycling is also a social activity, a perfect opportunity for good conversation with friend and a coffee break along the way. I prefer the leisurely, take in the sights ride. 

Strangely, the bicycle form has not changed all that much in the past 200 years. Of course the materials are better, lighter, more durable, more comfortable, but the basic structure of the machine is little changed. 

I cannot remember not having a bicycle. My life would have/would be diminished without one.  

• It's good for physical and mental health.  
• It's cheap. 
• It's fun. 
• It's sustainable - a bike will not turn into a clothes closet. 
• It's a workout to whatever level of intensity you want it to be. 
• It uses all the major muscle groups. 
• As compared to pounding the pavement running, it's low impact. 
• You don't have to be a great athlete and you don't need lessons - except perhaps in safety. Almost everyone has qualified on a bike and you just don't forget how to ride a bike. 
• And you can save gas - do some errands on a bike.

And, oh the places you'll go, the sights you'll see.

My pricey bike carrier

Natural Wonders

Pikerel Lake eagle's nest

Hastings

Luce Line Trail

Minnehaha Falls

Mississippi River Gorge

Pine Bend

Rainbow over the Capitol

Magical Places

Former Fire Station turned theater

Grain Belt Brewery

Camden train yards

Lake Phalen pagoda

Root River Trail

Samuel Morgan Trail

Schaar's Bluff Trail

Stone Arch Bridge

UofM outdoor art

Weirdness

Beats me - choir practice?

A tombstone

Homeless solo camp

The scene of my over the handlebars escapade

Railroad crossing

Skipped BWCA

Curling

Most unusual house in the Twin Cities

It's not Santa

Sacred Spaces

35W Memorial

Church bicycle parking

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

St. Paul - city of churches

Pandemic concert

Veterans Memorial

Majestic Buildings

Minnesota State Capitol

Carnegie Library - St. Anthony

Como Conservatory

Lowry Ave Bridge

St Paul Cathedral

Happy Trails To You.

Copyright ©  2022  Dave Hoplin