Why I Ride #14: To Stop and Smell the Cupcakes

(Brian Griggs  — along with Rick Smith — is the author of the popular bicycling comic, Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery.)

When I was a kid, the bicycle was my main mode of transportation and it expanded the borders of my little world. These days I still love to use my bicycle for transportation, but less for exploration and more for appreciation of all of the characteristics of my community.

When I ride, it’s not just about arriving at my destination; I enjoy every bit of the route and all the additional sensory details. When I ride to the market, I enjoy the sound of kids playing when I pass the park. When I see a friend on the street, not only can we exchange a hello and actually hear each other, but it’s never a hassle to pull over and chat.

I love the smell of freshly cut grass or of fresh coffee and pastries as I pass the local cafe. If I stop in and grab a couple of cupcakes, I’m not a glutton… I’m refueling!

Sure, I could hop in a car and simply arrive at my destination, but there is too much lost when you close that door and cut yourself off from your community.

Get out, get going, and enjoy the ride.

May is National Bike Month and this year’s theme is One Ride, Many Reasons. To highlight and celebrate the many benefits of bicycling, throughout May we’ll bring you the personal reflections and inspirations of a diverse collection of bicyclists from coast to coast with our daily 31 Days, 31 Reasons blog feature.