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wishful thinking on a kickstand
Jun. 3rd, 2004 08:42 pmThe time has come for me to admit my bicycle-riding days are over. I've been stalling on it for a long time. I did not want to forget what it was to be well and strong and have my hands obey me with casual ease. I did not want to drop my ambitions of feeling like I did the summer I was 21, when I bought this bike and flew across Ann Arbor standing on the pedals. I wanted to believe that I might recover the use of my hands and recapture what it felt like my first glorious year here, exploring greater Cambridge (bookstores, business meetings, playparties, shopping -- everywhere I could get lost and find my way home.) Most of the time, I accept a new standard where "well" really means "a little less bad," but I don't want to ACCEPT it for good and all. Holding onto the old bike was a way to hold onto the old possibilities.
When I first started having hand trouble, the orthopedist said, "of course you can still ride a bike, if you can grip the handlebars with the brace." I didn't realize that the brace was making the problem worse. Gripping the handlebars also made the problem worse - after surgery, much worse. I eventually learned to be cautious, to disregard the advice of doctors and physical therapists when following it appeared to be causing me long-term damage. It's been more than 3 years since I figured out what a bad idea it was to challenge my hand with more strenuous activity when there was any incremental improvement. (Ok. Worthwhile sexplay is strenuous, but, as I said, worthwhile.) I didn't even take the bike when I moved to this apartment building last year. I left it in the garage at the old place, thinking I'd come back for it when I was healthy enough to ride it. Or that the local preschooler could have it, when she was big enough to ride it.
But my housemates will be moving soon, and they want me to take the bike away, rather than waiting for flying pigs to carry it off. (I don't know if refusing to have pork in the house makes such a wait any shorter. Probably not.) The following notice is for readers in the Boston area, especially those of medium height. Ian or Lis? MRF, now that you've moved back in from the Land of Long Commutes?
Bicycle for sale: Schwinn Woodlands Hybrid, 10 speed. (It has sturdy wheels and upright handlebars like a mountain bike, but it doesn't have an active suspension or ultra-low gears.) It's a good bike for commuting and shopping, folding wire baskets on back. The frame is a comfortable size for me. (I'm 5'8".) If you're very tall, your back will thank you for finding a bike with handlebars further from the saddle. It's not haunted, as far as I know. If you might be interested, please send me e-mail.
When I first started having hand trouble, the orthopedist said, "of course you can still ride a bike, if you can grip the handlebars with the brace." I didn't realize that the brace was making the problem worse. Gripping the handlebars also made the problem worse - after surgery, much worse. I eventually learned to be cautious, to disregard the advice of doctors and physical therapists when following it appeared to be causing me long-term damage. It's been more than 3 years since I figured out what a bad idea it was to challenge my hand with more strenuous activity when there was any incremental improvement. (Ok. Worthwhile sexplay is strenuous, but, as I said, worthwhile.) I didn't even take the bike when I moved to this apartment building last year. I left it in the garage at the old place, thinking I'd come back for it when I was healthy enough to ride it. Or that the local preschooler could have it, when she was big enough to ride it.
But my housemates will be moving soon, and they want me to take the bike away, rather than waiting for flying pigs to carry it off. (I don't know if refusing to have pork in the house makes such a wait any shorter. Probably not.) The following notice is for readers in the Boston area, especially those of medium height. Ian or Lis? MRF, now that you've moved back in from the Land of Long Commutes?
Bicycle for sale: Schwinn Woodlands Hybrid, 10 speed. (It has sturdy wheels and upright handlebars like a mountain bike, but it doesn't have an active suspension or ultra-low gears.) It's a good bike for commuting and shopping, folding wire baskets on back. The frame is a comfortable size for me. (I'm 5'8".) If you're very tall, your back will thank you for finding a bike with handlebars further from the saddle. It's not haunted, as far as I know. If you might be interested, please send me e-mail.
