I am not a cyclist

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I am not a cyclist

Written by Eric Mathurin

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

You might understandably think that with a 30-day, 2,500 Km cycling trip under my belt, another month’s worth of cycling in Africa (and hopefully more to come), along with a smattering of other multiple-day cycling trips—that I’m an ardent cyclist. In fact, I’d hesitate to associate myself with the term “cyclist” at all. I don’t identify with it any more than most people who drive would ever think to identify themselves as “drivers” or people who take taxi cabs “taxists”. (Is that term reserved for those who work for Revenue Canada?) The simple fact of the matter is that I cycle to get somewhere or see something, just as others might drive or take the streetcar. If it’s less than a half-an-hour walk, I’m probably much more likely to walk than take my bicycle—because it’s less trouble and generally less stressful than cycling.

When it comes to the “latest and greatest” in bicycle technology, I’m generally left scratching my head. Disc brakes? I don’t think I should ever be going fast enough to require that amount of power to stop myself. And what if they broke in the middle of an African cycling trip? Give me cantilevers any day of the week! In fact, what I really care about when it comes to bicycles are the features that make touring or commuting better. Fenders. Lights. Water bottle cages.

Weight?

As long as I can lift it. I especially love bicycles that fold — it makes storing the bloody things easier both at the end of your journey and in the crowded apartment. And less likely to get stolen.

So how to reconcile my lack of enthusiasm for actually cycling with all the bicycle trips I’ve done? It’s because I believe bicycles are a great mode of transportation. Cycling is slow enough to really enjoy the scenery, to greet people as you pass by, and to stop and take pictures or rest. And yet fast enough to actually cover a reasonable amount of ground in a day. To me, cycling is the means to an end.

To many others, cycling is the end.

This isn’t to say that cycling as the end in itself isn’t fine and admirable. I do have some great memories where the cycling was fantastic, freeing and poetic. And I’ve had many days where struggling against a head-wind, bumpy roads and rain were only mitigated by the fact that my surroundings were what I was primarily interested in. In The Masked Rider by Neil Peart (the book that inspired my first cycling trip in Uganda) he recounts this very discussion with David, the trip leader. David was willing to cycle through Hades to get to something he wanted to see. Meanwhile, Neil was cursing and fuming as he manhandled his bicycle through the broken and washed-out African roads. Neil just wanted some great cycling. I could much more relate to David’s view of cycling. (Neil, though an inspiration to us all, became a running joke as we made constant fun of his griping as we followed in his trail in Cameroon 20 years later.)

I used to dream about cycling across Canada. One thing I learned from my trip through the Maritimes (and reading countless travelogues) is how much cycling that actually is. Cycling across Canada, unfortunately, involves a little too much struggling to get to a destination—for food, for shelter, for companionship—than I think I'd enjoy. I’d rather putter in a small area like the Magdalen Islands or in continents like rural Africa or Europe where you never have to worry much about actually getting somewhere. I was once stuck cycling on the Confederation trail in PEI for countless kilometers. The cycling was easy, flat, fast—and bored me out of my mind. Never did kilometers seem to slip by so slowly, despite the ease and speed of the cycling.

So don’t talk to me about going on a road race. I’m more likely to dally at the end of the pack. Don’t show me a racing bike made of the lightest, fastest composite material for $8,000. I’ll be wondering where the racks will go and if I could squeeze it into an airline-regulation suitcase. And, personally, you'll never catch me in body-hugging cycling jerseys and shorts. When I'm off the bicycle, I would rather look like I'd never seen one before.

Just have fun cycling—whether you do it for pleasure or simply to get somewhere. No reason for why you cycle is nobler than another. Cycling in itself a worthy pursuit. It’s a great way to see things (whether that’s your primary purpose or not), and good for the body, the soul, and the environment, no matter what your motivation is.

Readers have left 2 comments.

No.2 So I bought a bike.

"So I bought a bike. I’ve always like the idea of riding a bike. It has something to do with childhood, the sound of baseball cards stuck in the tire spokes racheting as you pedal home just before it gets too dark. That’s how I like to think of it, even though I’ve never seen a kid do that in my entire goddamn life. It was big back in the fifties though, when kids were stupid and didn’t know how much baseball cards were worth.

But it was more than just the stupidity of an older, greater generation and the mythic nostalgia for something I’d never had. Bicycles are the perfect harmony of man and machine. You work the pedals, use your muscles to create motion, pump your legs and grip the handlebars. And then there’s speed. The wind whips around you so it’s the only thing you hear, and once you get going you have your own momentum and you can take your hands of the handlebars and raise them over your head like you’re the feather featherweight champion of the world, or swing the at your sides like you’re sprinting really fast with hardly any effort, or spreading them straight out like you’re flying or being crucified, like you’re Meg Ryan in that movie about angels right before she gets plastered by the logging truck.

And that’s exactly how I felt riding a bike. I felt like Meg Ryan, seconds from tragic death. It was fu!@#$% harrowing."

~ Paul Neilan, Apathy and Other Small Victories

BL (Unregistered) • 2008-07-21 14:40:36

No.1 I am not a (motor)cyclist

I totally agree with you, Eric. Even though I've been cycling (non-motorized AND motorized) for over forty years, I never labelled myself (except when I was young and got my first motorbike - but that soon wore off) as such. I actually enjoy walking most of all, if the distance is reasonable enough for me to get to my destination without being over tired.

Love reading you - say hi to Gill.