Updated thoughts on cycling

I can safely say that I have been cycling seriously for a year now.  The best part about doing anything seriously for at least a year is watching yourself improve.  I knew how to bike ride since childhood but until recently I have never rode long distances, on busy roads, in the evening or during foggy and rainy conditions.   I have fell off my bike, I have broken it and somewhat fixed it.  Luckily, I have not seriously or severely injured myself or someone else.

Bike riding now compared to two decades ago is very different.  There are a lot more instructions on the road.  By that, I means signs and lane.  If you know how to read them correctly, it actually helps you learn how to ride more safely.  However, you always have to pay attention to the road and other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians around you because not everyone understand the signs or follow the rules.  When you are cycling by yourself, you are basically a skeleton.  Accidents happen so the best way to protect yourself is to ride safely.  When you ride safely, the chances of you getting hurt or injuring someone else (i.e. pedestrian) is also much lower.

Don't travel too far when you are just starting out because you don't want to get lost and not have enough energy to ride properly.  This has happened to me before.  The farther you ride, the closer you get to high traffic area, the more difficult and dangerous it becomes.

I suggest that you carry at a minimum I.D., money and a transit pass.  These stuff are light and easy to carry.  Your I.D could be your money (aka credit card).  You don't want to become a Jane Doe if you are unlucky.

Anyways, I am really enjoying riding on the roads and parks.  I feel that the more I ride them, the more I understand the designers thought.  Sometimes, I may not agree with them.

Lastly, just because an area is designated as a bicycle only area doesn't mean it is free of walking toddlers.  This one time after riding for hours to finally get to a bicycle only park area with nice tree settings, I was extremely upset to see a toddler with a supervising adult walking around at the bottom of a small but steep hill.  I have never ridden there before but I immediately left and rode on the busy roads again.  Toddlers are worse and scarier than security guards.