One of my favorite things about Mission Bay RV Resort is the access to bike trails. I love riding my bike. To say this area is bike friendly is an understatement. Bikes are regarded like any other vehicle and are free to ride in the middle of the lane with the rest of the cars. I stick to the trails. Traffic is way too scary for me.
In theory bikes are expected to abide by the same laws motorist do. Most bicyclist we’ve seen do – except for the guy that nearly hit us head on while riding against traffic in the dark around a blind corner. Thankfully, Other Half’s cat-like reflexes saved the day.
Although I love riding my bike, it’s been months since I rode with any regularity. We had a difficult summer which meant my bike didn’t get any road time. To say I’m out of shape would be an understatement.
My bike is an older, nothing fancy model. It’s got gears, nubby tires and a new jumbo seat. That’s all I need. I recently gave in and started wearing a helmet. I’ve resisted wearing one, not because I underestimate the safety benefits, but because I’ve got a king-sized noggin. It’s a family thing. We all have big noggins. (It’s to hold our big brains.)
I’ve been proud of myself lately. I’ve been hitting the trail early and wearing my helmet. The trail winds around Mission Bay. The scenery is so beautiful it’s distracting. The disadvantage to riding the trail and not the road is the foot traffic. I find heading out at 7:30-ish limits the number of fellow trail users. It also limits the number of people seeing me in my helmet. Both a good thing.
On my last bike ride prior to my clod gene flair up (I wrote about it here) my helmet felt weird. I didn’t pay much attention to it since my whopping noggin makes all headgear feel weird. On my return trip I finally reached up and checked out my helmet. Sure enough, the size adjusting thingie – which belongs in the back – was right there centered on my forehead.
I was wearing my helmet backwards.
I couldn’t get much cooler if I tried. I road to a place on the trail where I could stop with no one noticing. Like anyone cares. I quickly turned my helmet around and continued my ride like nothing happened.
My bike and my helmet are on hiatus since my ankle incident. After surgery I was offered several options to help me get around – crutches, a walker, a wheelchair or a knee scooter.
A knee scooter? Are you kidding me? That would require coordination – something I’ve clearly demonstrated a lack of. Other Half and daughter suggested I opt for the knee scooter and wear my bike helmet for safety. No thanks. I’ll leave my bike helmet on hiatus and stick with my walker.
There’s a sentence I never expected to write.