“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike.” – John F. Kennedy

I have always had this idyllic picture of riding my bike around town, wind flowing through my hair, waving at passersby, stopping to pick up groceries, and feeling the summer sunshine against my face, so I purchased a basic bike from a local hardware store. It wasn’t the lightest, but it had a good range of gears and wide upright handlebars, like when I was a kid. The funny thing about gears is that I move between highest and lowest very quickly, giving no respect or thought to the in-between group. I got a bell, light, helmet, and reflectors through Christmas and birthday gifts. The final purchase I made was a set of saddlebags to hold my groceries, and I was ready to hit the road.

I remember the first day I was allowed to ride my bike off our street. My brother had a friend with a banana seat, which was loaned to me for this liberating, memorable event. The feeling of freedom sticks with me to this day. I put that experience right up there with the first time I could drive a car alone. These are moments to be cherished and never forgotten. Years passed, and my biking days were put on hold—until now!

Sitting on a bike after 30 years of pancaking on a padded chair at a desk was not as easy as I anticipated. After the first, not-so-far ride, I spent a good couple of days letting my sore backend bounce back to normal, or should I say jiggle back. It was springtime, and I had high hopes that this soreness would pass as in the past and that I would be good to go for the season. I initially intended to ride within town if what I needed to purchase would fit into my saddlebags. I loved it but found my enthusiasm waning as the heat and humidity of summer hit. I now find myself in the fall, writing this and wondering why I haven’t been back out—until today!

I am pleased to say I just returned from a delightful errand-running bike ride. It was quiet mid-afternoon, and I parked close to the entrances so I did not get caught up in the stress that often accompanies the Friday end-of-workweek rush. Like that first solo childhood trip, I felt free and alive.

Retirement will see me not so easily jumping into my car to grab a few things but reminding myself of the joy errand biking brings to my mind, body, and spirit.