Inaugural Crazy-Lady Ride

I have three bicycles: A vintage 1972 black Raleigh English touring bike received the Christmas of my thirteenth year complete with fenders and a ding dong bell; a purple beach cruiser snatched up last spring from my neighborhood junk store; and my recent 21-speed legit Schwinn that will allow me to actually ride some real miles as soon as I find a new and more comfortable seat.

After the recent Schwinn purchase, I had contemplated selling the purple cruiser.

I couldn't.

The Cruiser is too near being the 3-wheeled cycle with a huge rear basket which has long lived in my fantasy life. I still dream of being the crazy- lady who rides her bike daily to the grocery store.

Yesterday, I strapped the best bike basket I have onto the basket spot of the Cruiser, preparing for the inaugural crazy- lady ride into my neighborhood's retail district, which we call "downtown Hillcrest" (because my neighborhood is like a small town surrounded by city).

There are not words to describe the joy I experienced. I mailed a package at the Post Office and deposited money at the bank. I felt a bit odd, but no one paid any attention to me at all. No one thought I was crazy.

I rode home feeling greener than Kermit the Frog, all the while a dream was hatching in my head.

I dream of a neighborhood where riding to the post office, grocery store, local coffee house and bank are not the exception, but the norm. I dream of becoming the most cycle friendly neighborhood around. Somehow I would like to champion this cause, but, until then, I want to make this biking thing a regular part of my life.