a bicycle

something prosaic as movement is a touchstone to our deepest experiences. from the birth canal to intercontinental travel we move through this universe in ways which enhance our world view. when a baby begins to crawl, then walk there's no turning back. we're on our way desiring more experiences upon myriad landscapes. moving further and further away from our embryonic home we seek new adventures and the comfort of the womb. in our vertical upright position we ride into new adventures. while laying horizontal in bed, having let go of worldly things, we return to the womb .

in our youth, we often crave the opportunity to drive an automobile but have to wait until an age deemed appropriate. our parents may let us hold the steering wheel or shift a gear while they remain in ultimate control. the thrill of moving through space at combustible engine speed is quite exhilarating--and then there's the bicycle. many of us discovered our first freedom away from home via the bicycle. whether riding across town or across the country, the combination of the familiar and intimate movements of our legs as in walking with the rapid propulsion through space on this machine is somewhat miraculous. the expression, "one never forgets how to ride a bicycle" connotes something as fundamental to us as breathing.

riding a bicycle through town one sees and experiences much more than within the confines of an automobile. often getting from point a to b takes about the same amount of time as well though being in the elements lends itself to a more intimate experience.

as an adult i feel i've come full circle with regard to the desire to expand my world view. as a kid, jumping onto my bike and riding off to other lands felt expansive. now i ride what for
some would appear to be smaller parameters but the expansiveness is just as large--within.