"Biking has offered not only a safer alternative to public transportation but also a new perspective on the place I've called home for seven years."
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| | | | | | | Biking Has Become My Favorite Way to Sightsee During the Pandemic | I've owned my bike for about two and half years, but perhaps unsurprisingly, my time spent in the saddle has increased over the past year. In previous years, I would mainly ride it for leisure on summer and fall weekends to meet friends in my neighborhood park or ride to some local breweries. In 2020, however, my Trek became my main mode of transportation around New York City, taking me to those same breweries and parks, but also to the city's outer reaches. I explored places I'd never visited previously (like Randall's Island and Governor's Island) and crossed many iconic bridges (including the George Washington Bridge to see some friends in New Jersey).
Basically, anytime I have needed to go anywhere, my first thought has been "can I bike there?" And the answer has almost always been yes. Biking has offered not only a safer alternative to public transportation but also a new perspective on the place I've called home for seven years, allowing me to venture to areas that are frankly impossible or annoying to reach by car or train.
I'm lucky to have owned my bike prior to the pandemic, as it's been well documented how demand has surged while supply hasn't been able to keep up. However, once you have the bike, you only need a few other pieces of essential gear to get started. First, a bike pump: This basic tool is necessary to fill your tires to the optimal level for safe riding, and owning one means you won't have to stop by a shop for this chore when they're overloaded. Also, biking is a year-round activity—you just have to prepare for the season. In warmer months, the main essential you'll need is a pair of sunglasses to combat bright light and wind. If you're riding in the winter, you'll still need those, plus a few good layers for warmth. However, you don't want to overheat—a moisture-wicking base layer topped with another warm layer and outer shell is plenty. Most importantly, buy a good pair of gloves to protect your fingers, which take the wind head-on while riding.
Have you been exploring your hometown by bike? I'd love to hear about your favorite two-wheeled adventures this past year!
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