Bicycles

I do more than cook and read books. I also enjoy cycling. As I used to be a long distance runner like Sarah, back in high school and the first year in College, I do enjoy the nostalgia of moving across the countryside under my own power. Unfortunately, my knees no longer allow me the luxury. I've been told I should go see a doctor and get knee surgery or something, but it feels like such a bother. I can walk any distance without problem. Its running that hurts me. Thus cycling presents itself. I biked a lot as a kid. I biked to college a few times, depending on weather. It was far enough to be exhilirated, not so far as to ruin my day. As oil is running out, our choices for travel will descend from the skies, and slow from racing automobiles to crowded passenger trains and bicycles. There's already a subculture of bicycling enthusiasts who tour by bicycle on a touring bike.
Like these: http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/touring-bikes-bicycles-made-specifically-for-long-distance-touring/
Apparently, club cyclists in Britain have been going strong for most of a century, doing 40 mile rides on a Sunday, sometimes weekend trips with camping. The effort has been duplicated here in the USA and if you live in a place with a lot of nooks and crannies like a Thomas' English Muffin, all filled with buttery goodness and jam behind those mouth piercing sharp shards of carbonized bread, then this metaphor has stumbled over its own feet and needs to try rolling once in a while. Its soothing to bicycle. Besides, they make radios for your MP3 player now. And that's the funniest thing ever. Even better than a bell, and you can hear the traffic as well as they can hear you. Safer than earbuds, by far. I am presently riding a converted mountain bike with rack and fenders and smooth tires. Its faster than it was but I should ante up for the proper touring bike with thinner tires and better mechanicals. I would hate to break down on a 30 mile ride and have no one to help me. My wife suggests I join a club. We know one meets downtown, so its a real possibility, provided I save up for this bike ASAP and get started on riding more seriously, as if I liked the sport rather than merely talking about it. ;P