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A couple of days ago I was in Newton passing by a Tibetan store and saw a miniature bicycle in the window.  I had to go in.  It is (as you can see in the picture) a perfect little commuter bike with wonderful details like the generator light and the crank the really moves the chain and the wheel.  A Tibetan artist made it and obviously I bought it (not that I need another thing, or could I really afford it. . . ).  The wonderful thing was that it sparked an inspirational conversation between me and the owner of the store.

She had been a Tibetan refugee in India growing up.  For a long time, her family didn’t have enough money to get her a bicycle.  When they finally saved enough and she got one and she felt a tremendous sense of freedom, which given her circumstances amazes me.  She talked about how it was such a big deal to get the bicycle and what an impact it had on her life. 

Since I teach bicycle riding to adults who never learned as children, I understand the way in which learning ride and getting a bicycle are momentous occasions.  For these learners, riding a bike is often an accomplishment they never thought possible.  And to do it, they must overcome their fears and doubt and take a risk.  This is hard for anyone, but for those of us over the age of 30, it is even harder.   But each year, during the spring, summer, and fall, many people come to The Bicycle Riding School to learn.  They are brave souls.  And many times learning to ride changes their lives.

It is good for me to remember that the simple bicycle can have tremendous power in the lives of ordinary folks.   It is good for me to remember that for many people the bicycle symbolizes and IS freedom.  It allows one to move outside of one’s immediate surroundings which can be life-saving.  The bicycle also symbolizes childhood and for people who didn’t learn as children, a missed opportunity, which can be reclaimed by learning as an adult.   I am fortunate to be part of this reclaiming as their teacher, as well as fortunate to be a cyclist.  I need to appreciate my bicycles, my ability to ride, and the ways it gives me freedom, health, and a sense of identity. 

P.S. The name of the store is: Karma

                                                Fine Imported Crafts

                                                57 Union St.

                                                Newton Centre, MA

Although I am a confirmed roadie, I have a good friend, who is a mountain bike racer.  She likes to be in the woods.  I like spending time with her, so I decided to buy a low-end used mountain bike.   The bike I bought has a solid frame and reasonable components, it was, however filthy.  I don’t mean just a little dirty.  I mean gritty, nasty, hair from the drain, filthy.  I am pretty sure it had not been cleaned at all in its two year life, although the woman told me she lubed it regularly.  My guess is that she kept dumping lube on it and never cleaned it.  Here is a picture of the crank we took off before cleaning. 

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I can’t quite describe how gross it was to take apart the pulleys, cassette, chain, derailleurs, and crank.  I couldn’t touch it with my bare hands.  I don’t quite understand how she could have let the bicycle get that dirty. 

Here is the clean crank:

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During season, my partner and I wash our bicycles weekly.  We always wipe them down, including the chain, after each ride, adding fresh lube only after the old stuff is cleaned off.  Basic maintenance goes a long way toward making the bicycle ride well.  When there is grit in the drive train it wears the components out and can feel rough.  Not only does the bike last longer and ride smoother when clean, it is also a matter of pride.

I have pride in and respect for my bicycles.  They are a reflection of me and what I value.  I would not go to work with dirty hair, and I would not ride a filthy bicycle (especially in a group or with the club).  When I am riding with my team, the state of my bike reflects not only me, but the team.  I want people to know that I love my bikes and care for them well.   Other riders have asked me if my bike is new, when really it has about 10,000 miles on it.  I say no, it is just very clean. 

When we brought the filthy mountain bike home, my friend say she heard it sigh a sigh of relief to be in my house because now it would be cleaned and cared for.   I think I heard it too.  Now that bike is being cleaned, and lubed, and re-cabled and will be ready to ride come spring.