Rambling Roads

Wishes and Wishful Thinking
by Jeff Beilfuss
March 2010

We’ve all had the experience of someone along the way of our bike adventures of asking where we were going, where we were from, or just commenting about what a nice day it was for a bike ride.  If you haven’t had this experience, you need to smile more!  Even if you’re not prettier than your bike, people will notice you and talk.  This has been common for me while touring, but maybe I’m just one big smile while on my bike.  Maybe it’s the endorphin buzz, maybe not.  Of course the bike is prettier to look at.  I’ll concede that.

One memorable event occurred in early spring while checking in for my annual prod-and-poke at the clinic.  I chained my bike to the rack and walked to the office still wearing my helmet.  Why use a hand to carry it when your head works fine?  While signing in the receptionist asked me if I was a professional bike rider.  That’ll stroke your ego for sure!  It was good for a couple of laughs, a little talk of how far I had ridden, and “I wish I could do that,” sort of thing from the receptionist.  Strange, my dental hygienist expressed the same thing the last time I had my mouth propped open with a suction tube hissing away during a cleaning.   Touring or around town, it is always “I wish.”

Now fast-forward towards the end of the year.  I had to have some blood work done, and while checking in, the helmet was a dead giveaway that I had ridden my bike to the appointment.  It was a grueling 2-mile ride to the clinic, but somehow I made it.  This time the comments were different: “Oh, you’re protecting and saving the environment.”  My response was, “No, I don’t care about that.”   She had that hit-between-the-eyes look and I think she sputtered a bit.  It was bad phrasing.  I should have said it wasn’t my priority.  Realizing my response needed clarification I said using our resources wisely is always a good idea and that I rode because I like riding my bike.  She didn’t say how she got there that morning but I doubt it was by bike.

It’s funny how some incidents just stick with you and resurface later on.  While looking to replace my water heater that has lasted almost 20 years I came across the following:

Question   Is there a tax credit for gas, oil, or propane water heaters?  

 Answer   Yes, Gas, Oil, and Propane Water Heaters can qualify for a tax credit.

Stay with me on this.  I was wondering about the Energy Factor of pedaling my bike around to the store, library, doctor, etc?  How about the thermal efficiency?  I don’t know how to do the calculations for a bowl of oatmeal, but it has to be efficient. 

By now the light bulb has gone on for the readers of this musing: “Can I get a 30% tax credit for buying a new bicycle?”  Fantastic thought, no doubt, but the answer is no.  Sorry.  “If I add a trailer and promise to do all my shopping this way?”  Still a sorry no.  Some things in life just don’t make sense, and this is one of them.  But even if you’re not saving the planet, the Energy Factor is sure to manifest itself in mind and body and as for thermal efficiency: I get hot when I ride.

Don’t even ask me about cap-and-trade.  You’ll have to research that yourself.

This is not called Rambling Roads for nothing!  Besides, I’m in a good mood and don’t want to be serious.

Be safe out there, whatever your motive for riding a bicycle.

Ramble On