For over a decade now I’ve had a black bike. It’s not fancy, just a standard, cheap bike, but I take good care of it and treat it with respect. The gears don’t shift properly, but it can take me anywhere I wish to move my legs to get to. I’ve been using it more this year than in most past ones, and I’ve fallen in love with the simplicity and self-driven speed as I fly along dirt roads and pedal up rocky hills. With the wind in my hair and the swishing sound of my wheels rolling through deep leaves, I feel like I’m moving beyond myself. It’s a beautiful machine.
Today I took my bike to a dirt road I’ve frequented this autumn and took in the brilliant trees, the lake and river, snapping a few photos as I went. I sat by the brook for a while, observing the bubbles in the water and falling leaves. Is there anything healthier than hours of biking and time spent in silent observation?
in meditation, without desire;
in thoughtfulness, he is profound,
and in his dealings, kind.
In speech, sincerity guides the man of Tao,
and as a leader, he is just.
– Tao Te Ching (8)
3 comments on “A Reliable Friend”
My bike is almost the same, except now it's past it's use by date and the gear are totally stuffed.
It's been a while since I rode a bike. I used to ride them all the time when I lived in the country, but once you move to the city, there's roads everywhere and people watching you… it's just not as peaceful. Even so, it's faster than walking, so I should try it if I want to avoid getting one of those noisy smelly expensive polluting cars.
What a serene little posting, thanks for sharing.