Conversations with Myself

Growing up in the nineties, my father was a cyclist.  He was not doing competitive cycling but he was going everywhere by bike, cycling long distances daily.  That was a way of life for him.  Using car was his very last option.  My mom was also cycling.  Therefore It was just so natural for me to find a way to a saddle at an early age.

Travelling in Europe and seeing people using bikes was no shocker to me.

But seeing people in some cities struggling to find parking for bikes was a shocker.  Hands up to the cities that have replaced cars parking with bicycle racks.  Seeing so many bicycles was a shocker.  I took the pic below when I was in Netherlands- The Hague.  This could be us South Africans.

Last month when I got a job 12km from home, I knew I was going to cycle.  It is a pain for me to be stuck in traffic when the weather is good.

I started commuting to work last month and I cannot be happier.  I have cycled in cool summer mornings.  I was on two wheels when the earliest instantaneous light of sunrise through very clear air.   Last week I was on the saddle when Cape Town experienced their first signs of autumn.

I am aware of the piercing eyes of the driver stuck in the afternoon traffic while my hair is blown by the afternoon breeze.  And I have seen those car windows rolling down to make sure if its true that I’m cycling in heels.  I have flashed the brightest smile to the ladies waiting for a bus, cheering at me.  I have also heard the guy passing the sweetest comment as I pass by.

The seasons are changing, the temperatures are dropping.  I don’t know if I will cycle through winter.  I don’t mind cold, I mind rains.  Cape Town’s winter is wet.  I will take it one day at a time.  What I know for sure is that I like the excitement I feel at the end of the ride.

Take care,
Nez

Cape Town Cycle Chick city cycling cycling to work