Cycle Tracks
Source/Author: Nancy L. Spencer, Head of School
October 08, 2020
A few years ago, I had the good fortune to attend a reading by Steve Rushin, an American columnist who made his fame writing for “Sports Illustrated.” Rushin’s “Sting-Ray Afternoons” is a memoir about growing up in the 1970s, and the title character is a Schwinn Sting-Ray bicycle. After the reading, I met Steve and we talked about his wife, University of Connecticut and WNBA star Rebecca Lobo, and we bonded over our shared passion for “The Poseidon Adventure,” which he mentions in his book and which was the first PG-rated movie both of us had ever seen.
Rushin’s reading evoked memories of my own first five-speed bike. It was also a Schwinn, purchased from our local Sears on the occasion of my 10th birthday. It came complete with fancy chrome handlebars, over which I draped a canvas bag of Goldrush bubble gum. I lovingly decorated my bike with streamers and hung a “NANCY” license plate on the back of the green banana seat. I spent countless hours cruising around the neighborhood with my siblings, often riding late into twilight, waiting for our mother to ring the cowbell, which was the signal for us to head home for dinner.
I still enjoy riding a bicycle. During my travels I have discovered the best way to get to know a city is to venture out via bike. In recent years, I have done formal bike tours of Philadelphia, Athens, Vienna, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and even my hometown of Washington D.C. On a bike, it’s possible to cover much more ground than a walking tour. You get a more close-up view of historical buildings and monuments than on a bus tour. It’s a wonderful way to really gain a sense of a city’s geography. I also like to go exploring on a bike, and have already discovered lots of wonderful neighborhoods here in St. Petersburg. The bike path along Tampa Bay is a favorite route.
While I have never ventured into the world of bike racing, my knees have nonetheless benefited from the cross-training aspect of biking. Sometimes I push myself for the exercise; other times I pedal at a leisurely pace for the enjoyment and think about topics for my next Ebytes.
Riding a bike can be seen also as a metaphor for how to be successful in life.
It’s a learned skill, which requires patience and practice to master. Once acquired, it can feel almost second nature. Yet to be successful requires flexibility and balance, along with confidence in yourself. Wearing a helmet is evidence of self-care, understanding the value of safety and protecting yourself from unexpected impacts. Working harder takes you farther. Riding a bicycle requires you to be aware of your surroundings, and forces you to literally change gears as the road ahead becomes more challenging. And while bicycle riding is fundamentally a solo activity, it is also rewarding when done with other people.
Here’s hoping that you have a restful long weekend and find time for the activities that bring you joy!
All the best,
Nancy
Rushin’s reading evoked memories of my own first five-speed bike. It was also a Schwinn, purchased from our local Sears on the occasion of my 10th birthday. It came complete with fancy chrome handlebars, over which I draped a canvas bag of Goldrush bubble gum. I lovingly decorated my bike with streamers and hung a “NANCY” license plate on the back of the green banana seat. I spent countless hours cruising around the neighborhood with my siblings, often riding late into twilight, waiting for our mother to ring the cowbell, which was the signal for us to head home for dinner.
I still enjoy riding a bicycle. During my travels I have discovered the best way to get to know a city is to venture out via bike. In recent years, I have done formal bike tours of Philadelphia, Athens, Vienna, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and even my hometown of Washington D.C. On a bike, it’s possible to cover much more ground than a walking tour. You get a more close-up view of historical buildings and monuments than on a bus tour. It’s a wonderful way to really gain a sense of a city’s geography. I also like to go exploring on a bike, and have already discovered lots of wonderful neighborhoods here in St. Petersburg. The bike path along Tampa Bay is a favorite route.
While I have never ventured into the world of bike racing, my knees have nonetheless benefited from the cross-training aspect of biking. Sometimes I push myself for the exercise; other times I pedal at a leisurely pace for the enjoyment and think about topics for my next Ebytes.
Riding a bike can be seen also as a metaphor for how to be successful in life.
It’s a learned skill, which requires patience and practice to master. Once acquired, it can feel almost second nature. Yet to be successful requires flexibility and balance, along with confidence in yourself. Wearing a helmet is evidence of self-care, understanding the value of safety and protecting yourself from unexpected impacts. Working harder takes you farther. Riding a bicycle requires you to be aware of your surroundings, and forces you to literally change gears as the road ahead becomes more challenging. And while bicycle riding is fundamentally a solo activity, it is also rewarding when done with other people.
Here’s hoping that you have a restful long weekend and find time for the activities that bring you joy!
All the best,
Nancy
