Feb 12, 2008

Special companion

Now and then, I get this sudden urge to buy myself a bicycle and ride on Bangalore roads, claiming that I could save on fuel and also would help me stay fit. My experience with cycling dates back to my college days (not so long ago, mind you!). In school, I was more than happy to be a pillion driver along with my dad or my younger brother. During the long break between school and college (ah! those wonderful days), dad bought me a BSA SLR bicycle and I started to learn. Initially, my brother was helping me till I get the balance. Yeah, you are right! A 17 year old girl was being taught how to ride a bicycle by her 15 year old brother.

Once I got the hang of it, it was a dream come true. Every morning, I used to ride my vehicle to the cycle stand, park it and then take my college bus. The route I normally take was pretty straightforward, through residential streets and a road encompassing a huge playground where there is little traffic (little refers to fellow bicyclers). There were speed brakers and humps in such roads for no reason. Initially, I used to get down diligently before each and every speed braker, drag my bicycle and then start riding again. When occasionally a lorry or a big van comes from the opposite direction, I would sincerely get down and give way to those huge vehicles. My brother is my biggest critic and he used to advise me that I rather take a walk than drag my vehicle. He still doesn't think that I am capable of cycling. Those were the initial 3 months. After this testing period, it was a bliss or rather I call it a miracle. It became a second nature. Wherever I go around in my locality, my red BSA gave me a good company. She was one of my dear friends for 4 years.

When I moved to Bangalore, I had to give up my bicycle. Cycling is such an enjoyable experience which makes me want to buy one and ride to office everyday. Hope this dream comes true soon!

Blog Archive

All contents copyrighted by Anuradha Sridharan, 2023. Don't copy without giving credits. Powered by Blogger.