Gosh, Penny, this made me miss riding my bike! It’s in the shed, in good condition, just waiting for someone to take it out. When we moved to our current home, we just didn’t bike anymore. Bikes were an integral part of our city lifestyle but here, in the urban area, things are either too close or too far… Biking is probably the only thing I miss from Helsinki. 😁 Truly enjoyed reading your piece! PS. That helmet suits you!
Lovely description of riding your bike as a child. I would have envied you - nothing I wanted more than a bike. Had to put up with a Tri-ang Scooter. Not quite the same...
Very moving! And spot on. I’ve been avoiding getting on my bike. “Too much effort required,” etc. Thank you for this lovely meditation on this simple and profound joy.
I couldn't agree more with you about riding a bike!
I've just rediscovered the joy of cycling in nature. It makes me feel super creative, calm, and open-minded, even when I'm alone on my bike. I started Cyclaudio to share my discoveries on French roads, the soundscapes, and the benefits that come with listening and slowing down one's pace of life, taking the time to appreciate things.
Hey Florent! Yeah the calm is so good isn’t it? There’s just something about cycling that is such a great mix of calmness and exhilaration that really gets the brain firing. Cyclaudio sounds cool. I need to check this out. Thanks for commenting 😊
Ah, I love the paragraph of all the things you'd imagine during a bike ride. It made me remember how I used to do that, too. Imaginative freedom is priceless really. And it's always important, no matter how old we are. Really liked this one, Penny! Keep playing!
Thanks Elaine! Yeah, we lose the knack of going off into our imagination a bit when we’re older (or at least we have a lack of time to do the things that help us do that) but I’m claiming it back. Thank you 😊
I’m primarily a runner, but I’ve taken to viewing riding my bike as a way to get outside and have fun in way I can’t when I’m just plodding along on my own two feet. It’s freeing and fast and nimble and requires all of your focus. Nothing else can keep up, not even my worries and stressors. It’s exhausting in a lovely way. All of that bound up together in one activity lets me peek through the window at what it felt like to be a kid again and I’m so thankful for it.
Yes I love the whimsical feel of being out on my bike. Sometimes my thoughts flow freely on a run too - which I do as well, but on my bike I feel a bit more free. Thank you for commenting Alexandra. 😊
Oh how I envy you! I never had a bike as a kid. My parents said they couldn't afford one, but secretly I think my mother just wanted to keep me safe. I got my first bike when I was 12 -- a rusty old Schwinn that was two sizes too tall for my 5'2" frame. But I learned to ride it, standing up, with no helmet up and down Sunset Drive until my legs gave out. Many years later, my partner owned a bike shop and I had a series of fancy bikes. But nothing ever measured up to that rusty old Schwinn.
Oh Laurie what a bitter sweet recollection for you. I love this idea that as a grown up you got to have all these sophisticated bikes but they couldn’t match up to that first one, even with all it’s flaws. There is SO much about life in this. 💫
I felt like I was riding along with you and reliving something special. I harness the power of childhood when I have a crayon or marker in my hand. The options are limitless. All is well in my world if I’m creating.
I thought this piece was very cool. I can totally relate to the spirit and freedom of being outside, going to new places, imagining that each trip on my bike with my friends would end in some kind of discovery. It often did, even when we didn't know it! I appreciate you relaying similar thoughts about being all-in and open to what's around the corner. Penny, I actually wrote something similar on my own substack, so this made me smile. Cheers!
Gosh, Penny, this made me miss riding my bike! It’s in the shed, in good condition, just waiting for someone to take it out. When we moved to our current home, we just didn’t bike anymore. Bikes were an integral part of our city lifestyle but here, in the urban area, things are either too close or too far… Biking is probably the only thing I miss from Helsinki. 😁 Truly enjoyed reading your piece! PS. That helmet suits you!
Aww thanks Nani. I never thought about those nations for which cycling is the every day norm!
I was visiting family just outside Amsterdam a couple of years ago and loved the cycling. But I didn’t wear a helmet 😬😬
Of course you didn’t 🙈
Yeah this! I can't imagine a life without a bike, Nani.
Lovely description of riding your bike as a child. I would have envied you - nothing I wanted more than a bike. Had to put up with a Tri-ang Scooter. Not quite the same...
Thanks Penny. Another piece of inspiring writing.
Ahhh Sue. Get a bike now! X
Very moving! And spot on. I’ve been avoiding getting on my bike. “Too much effort required,” etc. Thank you for this lovely meditation on this simple and profound joy.
Hello! Ahh thank you so much. The effort is worth it I promise. Go really fast! 😀
Brilliant! Doing things the way you did, the way you want, the way that brings you joy and energy. 🥳🥳🥳
Yeah - it’s all part of this time in your life when you go ‘this is me. This is how I am. Not going change now’
Wonderful. The world could use a does of this. Or whatever else connects one back to the possibilities and openness of a child's perspective.
Hey Gerald! Thank you so much. I totally agree. Let’s tap into our childhood mindset more often. 🙌
I couldn't agree more with you about riding a bike!
I've just rediscovered the joy of cycling in nature. It makes me feel super creative, calm, and open-minded, even when I'm alone on my bike. I started Cyclaudio to share my discoveries on French roads, the soundscapes, and the benefits that come with listening and slowing down one's pace of life, taking the time to appreciate things.
Thank you 🙂
Hey Florent! Yeah the calm is so good isn’t it? There’s just something about cycling that is such a great mix of calmness and exhilaration that really gets the brain firing. Cyclaudio sounds cool. I need to check this out. Thanks for commenting 😊
Ah, I love the paragraph of all the things you'd imagine during a bike ride. It made me remember how I used to do that, too. Imaginative freedom is priceless really. And it's always important, no matter how old we are. Really liked this one, Penny! Keep playing!
Thanks Elaine! Yeah, we lose the knack of going off into our imagination a bit when we’re older (or at least we have a lack of time to do the things that help us do that) but I’m claiming it back. Thank you 😊
I’m primarily a runner, but I’ve taken to viewing riding my bike as a way to get outside and have fun in way I can’t when I’m just plodding along on my own two feet. It’s freeing and fast and nimble and requires all of your focus. Nothing else can keep up, not even my worries and stressors. It’s exhausting in a lovely way. All of that bound up together in one activity lets me peek through the window at what it felt like to be a kid again and I’m so thankful for it.
Yes I love the whimsical feel of being out on my bike. Sometimes my thoughts flow freely on a run too - which I do as well, but on my bike I feel a bit more free. Thank you for commenting Alexandra. 😊
Nice work, Penny. That child still lives inside us all, just waiting for permission to "come out and play".
Yep! So so true. I am trying to let mine out more often. I hate that we lose the freedom we have in ourselves as kids.
Oh how I envy you! I never had a bike as a kid. My parents said they couldn't afford one, but secretly I think my mother just wanted to keep me safe. I got my first bike when I was 12 -- a rusty old Schwinn that was two sizes too tall for my 5'2" frame. But I learned to ride it, standing up, with no helmet up and down Sunset Drive until my legs gave out. Many years later, my partner owned a bike shop and I had a series of fancy bikes. But nothing ever measured up to that rusty old Schwinn.
Oh Laurie what a bitter sweet recollection for you. I love this idea that as a grown up you got to have all these sophisticated bikes but they couldn’t match up to that first one, even with all it’s flaws. There is SO much about life in this. 💫
I felt like I was riding along with you and reliving something special. I harness the power of childhood when I have a crayon or marker in my hand. The options are limitless. All is well in my world if I’m creating.
Ahh hi Amy! The power of childhood is so overlooked. I think from now on I might start asking ‘what would little me do?’ And do that! 😂
It's so sweet and lovely.
I thought this piece was very cool. I can totally relate to the spirit and freedom of being outside, going to new places, imagining that each trip on my bike with my friends would end in some kind of discovery. It often did, even when we didn't know it! I appreciate you relaying similar thoughts about being all-in and open to what's around the corner. Penny, I actually wrote something similar on my own substack, so this made me smile. Cheers!
Ahh hey JP! Adventure is what it’s all a out hey? Anything can happen!
Ooh I will check out your substack too - thank you! 🙌
Hello! Great to hear from you. I like the sound of you 😊
You have some stories, I can tell.
Dirt roads and crazy town? I’m in.