BIKE RIDE DOWN MEMORY LANE

My engine light is glowing and my fuel needle is on empty even though my tank is full.  My inspection expired last month and my “change oil” light is blinking. Ugh…I have no time for this. I can’t be stuck at home all day: too much to do. Clients, food shopping, Post Office and a list of errands to run.

I decided to dust off my bicycle, throw it in my truck and head to the Auto Body Shop. It was 8:45 am; my first client was at 9:15. I quickly zipped in to the Shop, pulled my bike out of the back seat and whirled down Sunrise Highway towards my studio.

It was peak rush hour. Horns were honking and trucks were grumbling as their sluggish gears shifted. The LIRR was rolling east and west, scooping up grumpy commuters juggling their coffee and briefcases as they scrambled to catch their train. Gas and car fumes weighed heavy in the air. It was a bit scary pedaling my way down the shoulder, filled with pebbles and broken glass. My hair was whipping at my face, as endless cars raced past me trying to get to work on time. I forgot to wear a helmet…S*#T!!

Crossing Sunrise Highway was a brave leap of faith and the journey down Bellmore Avenue was equally challenging. I made it to my studio with ten minutes to spare. My legs were burning; it’s been a while since I took a bike ride.

After training clients and catching up on paper work, I realized that I could take a second and actually breathe. I thought about riding my bike as a child. My generation had a type of freedom that our children will never know. Every day was an outdoor adventure. We didn’t know we were exercising. Childhood obesity did not exist and there was no such thing as a pre-scheduled play date that needed to be confirmed through email or text.

I thought about my daily routine after school. First, I would pedal my way to the Mom & Pop deli for a ten-cent fudgsicle. Yes… ten cents, now I’m really showing my age. Then off to Cedar Creek Park to see if my friends were playing paddleball at the courts. I didn’t have a cell phone, a twitter account or a Facebook page. There was excitement and pleasure in the unknown. I didn’t snap a picture of the bright green miniature hills for Instagram. I lived in the moment and rolled down them with fear and delight.

On the journey home I would  “call” for some friends and maybe, squeeze in a game of kickball in the street. As soon as I heard the 6:00 fire horn I knew it was time to jump on my bicycle and race home for dinner. I can still hear the snap of my silver streamers and the whistle of my wheels. I can still remember my scent: an innocent blend of sweat and fresh air.

The “Personal Trainer” part of my brain kicked in: Cycling builds strength and muscle tone. It improves cardiovascular fitness. It burns calories and improves stamina. It strengthens bones and decreases body fat levels. My mind jumped back to reality when an ice cream truck turned the corner serenading its jolly song. I closed my eyes for one second and remembered the thrill of racing to catch an ice cream truck as a child. And yes: I was on my shiny turquoise bicycle with silver streamers and a banana seat.