The Acoustic Motorbike

Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles, pedal on,
Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles, pedal on

So sings Luka Bloom - although it's more recites, or even a little raps, if you know the song - "Acoustic Motorbike," which is possibly the most inspired description of my favorite invention: the humble bicycle. Although, anyone familiar with the modern bike knows there is nothing humble about the slick, sleek, feather light machines available these days. The reason for all this blathering on, (besides today’s mood, which is quite blathery), is that I've taken to biking to work, all 16 or so miles. Not everyday, mind you, but enough that between carpooling, bike riding, and one day a week telecommuting, I only drive three days a fortnight. While this is advantageous in terms of cash dispersion to those autocratic pricks, the Saudi's, especially in light of the up tick in gas prices, it's not the reason I do it. First and foremost, I love it. It's hard to have a bad day after spending an hour on my acoustic motorbike. It's very, very good for the 'aul serotonin production - hence the blatheriness. It's difficult to keep up general bike fitness by only riding at lunch time during the week, and the occasional long ride at the weekend. Commuting successfully fills the gap. And outside of work, I have a second job, Chief Entertainment Officer, for three small monsters aged four, two, and seven months. The CEO of my house, Her Indoors, while very supportive of things bikish in general, takes a dim view of me disappearing of a Saturday for several hours while she deals with the three small hooligans hopped up on cheerios, milk, and endless curiosity. So, as my dear old Dad would say - to make a long story longer - bicycling has fringe benefits that vastly outweigh the cost of a bike, or the effort involved. These would be:

1. Very hard to be a fat biker
2. Decrease in costs and time associated with gym membership, as there is no need to go
3. The credit side of ones CO2 output balance sheet looks a lot meatier
4. Detailed knowledge of one's city. In my case, I finally know where the Excelsior District is
5. Condescension points. There is nothing like the contempt that a bicyclist feels towards an errant driver

However, let's not forget the considerable danger posed by my favorite inconsiderate drivers, San Francisco's coddled bus drivers, one of whom once opened the door of his bus in traffic, not at a bus stop, while I was passing. I made complete shit of a Mazda Miata while trying to avoid the disembarking riders, (broken window and mirror, and a scratch so deep it tore metal off the door). I somehow came through unscathed. Luckily I was on my mountain bike. It seems my Trek is a lot sturdier than a Miata.

Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day, and this week was Bike to Work Week. Who knew?

I work my legs
I pump my thighs
Take in the scenery passing me by
The Kerry Mountains or the Wicklow Hills
The antidote to my emotional ills
A motion built upon human toil
Nuclear free needs no oil
But it makes me hot, makes me hard
I never thought I could have come this far
Through miles of mountains, valleys, streams
This is the right stuff filling my dreams
So come on, get up on your bike
Ah go on, get up on your bike

Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles, pedal on,
Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles, Pedal on