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Thursday, May 29, 2008

The Joys of Commuting by Bicycle


I’m riding my bike home today. If you’ve never been to Nashville, then you’d hardly understand. There’s a song by the Kamikaze Hearts called “Tennessee.” A line in it says, “I never knew there was* hills in Tennessee, I always thought that it would be flat.” Yeah, me too. But no, no, it’s not flat. I guess a lot of places in the U.S. are hilly**, but are they hilly, hot, and humid all at once and are you on a bike with a bag strapped to your back?

Because if you’re not, you should be. It’s the only way to travel. Riding your bike in a place like, oh, Salt Lake City? That’s nothing until you’ve ridden Tennessee. Ha ha. Mwah ha ha ha ha ha. (Riding crazily into the misty distance, uphill, with a bag strapped to my back.)




*sic -- yeah, I know, it should be WERE.
** The world, really.

7 comments:

cassi said...

I bet Omaha has more hills. And is just as hot/humid. Stop whining, you big baby. Just kidding. About you being a baby. Not about the hills and the weather and the whining.

sgt said...

I think it's just great that you have a fabulous bike to ride, so you really ought to quit whining, as Cassi says, and be grateful for your fantastic bike. (jk) I think you're fabulous and your bike ought to be grateful for you! Enjoy the warm!

Nicole said...

The hills in Omaha are NOTHING compared to the hills in Nashville. Cassi, I've been to both places, and the Nashville hills are steeper and longer. And I bet our humidity is heavier too. Ha ha.

SGT -- you are a genuine smart ass! Now I see where I get it. I can't believe your cheekiness. I AM grateful for my bike, it makes the hills easier. It really does. I can't wait for you to give it a whirl when you visit. Ha ha ha.

jenny said...

humidity makes everything harder. i can't imagine riding a bike this time of year. hills or no hills. you're a champ for doing it.

Nicole said...

Thanks Jenny. I think I'm a champ too. I'm the biggest champ I know, in fact. I'd say I rule.

Thanks for the comment and for dropping by. I just wonder, am I the only expatriate of the Western U.S. who yearns for reasonable humidity?

Alix. said...

hello! long time no speak! how are you my dear? i've just completed my first year at university which is exciting and now i'm home with my parents for the summer.

i love reading your blog when you mention places like 'nashville' because i've heard songs before which mention it. i so want to travel america when i graduate.

Nicole said...

Hey Alix! Good to hear from you. I've been meaning to go to the UK for a long long time. I've had tickets to go twice, I think. Someday I'll actually make it. Nashville is a cool city, I love it, but America is huge and there are many many places I would suggest seeing (unless you're a country music fanatic, and then, by all means, Nashville is the place for you). I've heard from Europeans that the western U.S. is amazing because it's so different from many European cities. Wide open spaces and whatnot.

I've been reading your blog, too. Keep in touch. I'm glad you made it through a year of school. Excellent work.