After having ridden motorcycles in and around San Francisco over the last three years, I felt compelled to scale down. With all the green folks around, I had to quickly scale down local rides to a bicycle for the sake of convention. I started feeling silly donning all my gear and hiking up to my parking spot in order to run simple errands in town on a 1050cc super bike. So, when the opportunity presented itself, I snapped up cheap set of wheels for $100 bucks with the excuse that I’ll need a bike to trash at Burning Man.

I figured that my accumulated experience on an engine would compensate for the lapse in time on a simple cycle but I’m gonna be straight with you. After one afternoon peddling, I have learned that you’ve got to have some kind of true grit to take on the mess of traffic in city. Stripped of my armor and the respect that comes with riding a motorcycle, has made me hyper aware of my vulnerability. Cagers don’t pay any mind as they continue to illegally use their cell phones. The quality of the street is pretty bad in most places (I have already gotten a flat) and the fact that my mind is geared as a motorcyclist doesn’t help. Due to the lack of bike lanes, I’m constantly switching back and fourth between mindsets and catching myself between a bus and some pissed off commuter. After years of rejecting the idea of wearing a helmet, motorcycling has taught me enough sense to keep me brains intact, so my first spin was down to Sport Basement to drop some money on a slick Giro helmet.

Ultimately, I’m glad to be able to hop out the door and take care of business without the hassle of warming up an engine. The good habits from riding safe are keeping my out of harms way. I wish I could argue for the economics of owning a bike, but I find myself eying some expensive accessories like a Brooks saddle. I’ve known people to spend more on their bikes than on their first cars. I suppose somethings never change no matter what your driving.

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