Yes. A bike.
Where many in today's society dream of big fancy cars that go super fast, like Tesla, Mazzarati, probably didn't even spell that right, Porche, etc., I dream of a bike.
Let me explain. In recent years, I'd say the last two, mobility has become somewhat of a challenge for me. No. It's not like I need a wheelchair, but sometimes I do need help.
Like to go grocery shopping, major grocery shopping, you will find me using one of those little automatic carts- despite the judgemental looks from others because they don't see anything immediately obviously wrong 😖- because walking around the store to get everything completely wears me out, and the whole day gets blown and all I've managed to do is get groceries, take them home, unload them and then take a huge nap..oy!
This first developed into an issue in late summer of 2015. I had just moved to a new part of Colorado re-known not only for some amazing national parks, but smaller local sites as well. My first weekend free, I pulled on my tennies and headed to a local city park that included ancient ruins, flora and amazing fauna.
Mind over matter I thought! Just power through it! I can do this!! Not two hours later I found myself home and in some serious pain.
Is this how it's going to be now? Am I no longer going to be able to enjoy the absolute wonderous bounty of beauty the state I live in is full of? Not to mention known for?? Famously known for?? (Just ask John Denver)
Since I was a child I was able to explore outdoors. Even after my disabilities became more then one issue, I still had the beauty of my state to get lost in; chasing a bird trying to capture it on film and determining what kind of bird it was.....finding that amazing, obscure but beautiful Colorado wildflower few have seen.
But it seemed that at 49 years, that ability was coming to an end.
The United States has 59 national parks, (thank you Google) currently. Of those parks, I couldn't really determine just exactly how many were accessible or what the level of accessibility was.
(The city park that sent me home in pain, did have an accessible path for wheelchairs, but it went around the outer EDGE of the park. Anyone with access issues couldn't even get remotely close to the ruins which were the main attraction of said park. Oops getting slightly off subject; don't even get me started on accessibility issues for those who live with disabilities).
For me, this is where a bike would come in. With my bike, I would be making use of some of those trails I could no longer walk or hike. Not just national parks but city parks. Even the park just up the road a ways from me.
I dream of riding up to beautiful giant white mountain peaks with a sparkling blue lake at it's base. (There is such a place. It's called Maroon Bells). Of riding along a path running alongside one our rivers, rainbow trout jumping at gnats as they fly close. Of riding my bike along a path that runs by the ocean, a wind whipping the taste of salt into my mouth. ....
Ok I realize Colorado isn't by the ocean but the ocean is another passion of mine. Anyways. You get the picture.
But wouldn't a bike wear me out just like the walking? Cause me pain and exhaustion?
Not exactly. Bike riding is low impact. It's a gentle workout that my joints would actually benefit from, and could actually keep me more mobile and reduce the necessity for wheel chair use in the nearer future.
And it's not like I'm going to be riding a race. Not even a sprint. If I'm lucky, a quick jaunt...with maybe a little picnic on a good day.
And as far as parks are concerned, I can load a bike into my van and take it to where I want to explore. Visit. Roam. Breath!!
It doesn't have to be one of those fancy shmancy mountain bikes that are ungodly expensive! Or a ridiculously expensive 10 speed racer. Won't be taking on any mountains. N racing?? Nope. Don't need speed.
Nope I dream of a pretty little cruiser with a basket! Something that screams ride me! Let's get on and ....meander! See what there is to see!
I even have big dreams of training my cat Nikko to ride in the basket of said bike so I can take him with me! (Hey I never claimed all my dreams we're realistic!)
I glide past the rows of bikes in department stores with a big dream in my 💓 heart. Ohh look at that beautiful one there!! Check out the basket on this one!
I stalk the bikes on Amazon with dreams in my head. The hours I spend looking at "bike porn"...oy!!
And yes. It has to be a new bike. Why? Why you ask? I already tried a used bike. It's what gave me head injury number three. 😖
And so I will continue to dream of that sweet cruiser. The one with a basket that Nikko my kitty will ride in, joining me on my adventures. And many adventures we will have. I know it's my destiny. I can feel it. It's just a matter of time.
Images courtesy of Walmart. Yes. Walmart. 😛
*Don't judge me on my bike porn. 😁😁
I dream of an ebike. Or a SmartCar. ;) Riding a regular bike wears me out ...in the severe chest pain and inability to breathe sense. "You're just out of shape," said the doctor without looking at me.
"I run and I walk and I lift heavy things and I have 13% body fat (which is considered athletic, given my age and counting it in the "women" section since that's how I'm built)," I said. "I'm not out of shape. I've always been like this to some extent, even when I rode my bike every day to go to work. I had to ride at a crawl and my friends would all get annoyed and yell at me to go faster and I would still be feeling like my chest was going to explode. Also, I can't carry bags that press on my chest or pull my chest open like a backpack or I have the same pain."
"You just need exercise," said the doctor.
"Did you hear what I just said?" I growled.
Yeah... I have given up on doctors for many reasons.
So, I need the motor. I can't handle the chest-crushing feeling anymore.
I wouldn't be able to either!! I know you identify as male. If they saw you that way you wouldn't get so marginalized! I feel they do that with women!
Right? Either that, or it's you have any mental illness diagnosis in your chart and you MUST be a hypochondriac. Because you can't be depressed and have other problems, too. 😒
Yep! So let's just placate and patronize so we can get you out of our hair asap!!
Im a biker lover also. I remember he days when I was young. I used to bike everyday. Until now I keep biking using my mountain bike. I could not count anymore the number of bikes I had in my like. Sad to say I was not able to keep photos of them. Those days it was safe to ride a bike because vehicles then were nor so many compared to now. Today, its too risky riding a bike considering not only the number of vehicles but also the people nowadays are totally different compared then. Im biking only at the park for me to have an excercise.
Yes. I hope one day I'll be able to get one! It's on my list!
wonders where this park is that has ruins
I'm sorry you are dealing with these issues. They are not easy ones for nature lovers and explorers to deal with (or anyone, for that matter).
I hope you can get a bike one day.
Hawkins Preserve, Cortez Co. One day I will have my bike! 😁