Starting at the upper northwest corner of Beijing's major university area, I undertook to ride my friend's bike, bequeathed to me through not so fortuitous circumstances. The bike was a bit run down, a dullish dark blue blending purplish with FOREVER printed on its crossbar. The handlebar was a little crooked, the handle brakes turned in wonky directions. Trying out the brakes, I knew that riding quickly would be riding dangerously, but given traffic here, it wouldn't be that much of an increase in risk.
The night was brisk, and in my hooded jacket with my bag in the bike basket, the journey began with a good-bye to the bike's keeper as it waited patiently for me for 4 months. Crossing across roads major and minor, I passed by other bikers, and they passed me. I sped past standstill cars, and electric bikes crept sneakily past my side. For all too brief moments through my ride, I had those blend in seconds, in which you perfectly insert yourself into your surroundings almost perfectly.
I know some would wonder whether that was good or not, but given that there is no surpassing my minority marked self, they were indeed moments of splendid belonging. Of course, they would follow with the loud honk of the passing taxis that woke me up to my veering into the large vehicle traffic flow. They meant well, they thought I'd rather not get run over by them that evening, so I am grateful for their nudgings.
Riding through Beijing, it could have been a struggle through the seriously polluted air, cutting through the yellowish air-wall. However, that night it was clear for a Beijing evening, and the ride was pleasant despite the frequents bursts of exhaust that I rode through. The ride took 1.5 hours exactly, and by the time I got home, I felt pretty satisfied. It was good exercise, but more than that, I was a part of the city now, the roads were consciously traveled by me, the alleyways I passed now a part of the landscape in my mind. You're never truly a part of some place until you have gone through it consciously, and I had finally connected for those brief moments.
Still, Beijing doesn't hold the same place that Shanghai and Hong Kong hold, but honestly, how could it?
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Yeah, good exercise, huh? I think riding a bike in Beijing is a lot like life... It's kind of scary starting out, and so full of unknowns and potential danger. Eventually one get's the hang of it, and learns the rhythm and flow. Taking advantage of opportune breaks and bottle necks, exercising patience when traffic is less than convenient, learning how to weave in, out, and around other travelers to make the most of your situation are necessary actions in both cycling in a crowded city, and making it in down a path of "success." Whatever that means.
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