Rides We Like: Social Distancing
Photo by Mike Mchugh after he met up with two other riders.
(2020) The bike has immense restorative powers, and it has been on full display as the world retreats inward to slow the tidal wave of a pandemic. First schools, businesses, and events were encouraged to close. Then ordered to close. Then people were told to stay away from each other. In the confines of many people’s homes is the machine that avoids exposure while providing a release. The side effects of closures coupled with riding were erie in the presentation.
This past weekend, after reading scores of copied-and-pasted announcements of closures ‘out of abundance of caution’ and ‘closely monitoring the rapid-developing situation’ riders in our area were riding in the warm early season weather. It is easy to get weighed down by the bike races and ride cancellations, so releasing some of the anxiety calls for a ride into quieter areas. Saturday was a ride with Mike (yes that Mike) for half of a ride; Sunday was a solo jaunt through the wooded areas of northern Bucks County.
The first half of Saturday’s ride - with Mike - passed through the local reservoir park. With the sun shining, dozens of people took to the path. I joked that people prioritize parks twice: once when the government shuts them down during bickering and currently when public spaces are closed. The announcement that the County (and its parks) was closing ‘out of abundance of caution’ came during the ride. After Mike and I separated our ways, I wound around some new roads. The back roads were empty; major roads were light in traffic. How peaceful riding had become. How inspiring the efforts when fueled by anxiety.
On Sunday, after avoiding going out in public for the morning and afternoon, I allowed one of those rides to happen where the route was never really settled. The weather was almost identical to the previous day’s. It was not altogether obvious whether the light traffic was the effect of a Sunday evening or if people were truly staying indoors. Two heavily-trafficked secondary roads were selected and again, things were light. Oh there were people walking and riding down the canal, a state park, but for the most part it, too, was devoid of people. I normally carry cash on a ride for a coffee stop, but that idea has been suspended. The eriness of the ride presented itself in the lightness of traffic as well as the lack of people. Nobody was in their yards, not a person in the driveways.
Both rides were light in mileage, however they went further in releasing some pent-up concern about a moment in history. Getting out with Mike provided the connection needed to check in with someone. Anyone. The solitary portions provided necessary release. Moments of disappointment set in when motivation waned or fitness was questioned. Other moments were joyous. We are able to pursue our craft while many others are dealing with cancellations. Should cycling become required to move indoors, we are covered there, too. All of this has a means to an end. At some point a season will emerge and we will be ready to compete again, either amongst our peers or against ourselves. At some point we will resume closeness with friends and family. Until then, we can be found riding the rural roads of Bucks County. They were quiet before. Now they are those peaceful pathways again.
