profile picAs the name implies, For the Love of Bikes is all about a love of cycling and bikes. 

Like many of you perhaps, I practically lived on a bike throughout childhood. When I wasn’t on a bike I was on skates. Seriously, if there weren’t wheels involved I wasn’t interested. Biking was how I got around in college too since I couldn’t afford a car, I rode then for transportation and fun.

I loved cycling then – as I do now – for its unrivaled sense of freedom, graceful fluidity, and fun. It can feel like what I imagine flying feels like. Although riding requires effort you can do it for hours at a time, unlike say, running. Cycling puts you in the flow state like nothing else I have found, and makes you feel free and at peace – what else can deliver all that – and besides it is fun and good for you too! Convinced yet?! Of course you are, you’re here. 😊

My love of bikes and riding was renewed when my, then, young daughter and I took a bike ride one Memorial Day, and it hasn’t stopped since. Honestly it has barely waned during all the intervening years.

That love for cycling  has stayed constant throughout my life for that matter. I have memories of when I was really young of riding my older brothers’ “boys” bike – which was way too big for me but I rode it anyway. Standing on the pedals, because I wasn’t tall enough to reach them seated, and my only way to stop was to jump off! I got my first bike when I was about 10 – a blue metallic “girls” bike – my size – hallelujah!

Fast-forward to the now 30 years since rediscovering cycling, and I’m still at it. Cycling is self-sustaining; the joy of riding keeps you coming back for more, even with its challenges. In 1995 when I was hit by a car I didn’t lose my love of riding. Several weeks later I was back on the bike, scared and guarded, but riding. I love the flow, the oneness of body and bike, and the poetry of motion that cycling is.

My love of riding eventually led me here – writing about riding. Welcome! In addition to the blog you can follow and interact with For the Love of Bikes on Twitter and Facebook

I look forward to discussing with you our mutual love of bikes! 🚴🏻‍♀️

Susan