I’ve got some bike riding history in my past, but it’s not close to my mind. Like most, I picked up how to ride as a kid and recall it being an exercise in trial and error. After I nailed that fundamental equilibrium and motion, it was something I could do without thinking too much. After that, cycling was simply a useful skill to have around here and there. I was never into it or turned it into a hobby.

When I consider bikes today, I see them primarily as transportation. They’re straightforward, reliable and convenient if you live somewhere that’s set up nicely for it. I no longer ride on a regular basis, largely because I don’t have to. Where I live, they’re just not close enough for biking to be that convenient. The roads are not very bike friendly, I don’t feel comfortable riding beside fast traffic.

I see why some people like it for a workout or a stroll. It’s less impact on your joints than running, plus it can be very relaxing if you take a safe, quiet route. I’m not attracted to biking as a workout, however.

If I work out, I’m typically an indoor something on a schedule type of guy. Bikes come in handy occasionally, but they’re not a way of life for me. I think of them as a hammer more than anything.