A nod from a cyclist

I've been braving the Joburg winter mornings lately on my cycle to work. It is just enough to get me warmed up, and I sometimes even break a sweat as I climb into Melville - not enough to warrant a shower though.

Commuting by bicycle comes with a couple downs - people in cars that aren't aware of cyclists, people who think you're crazy, limited carrying capacity and impatient drivers, but the ups far, far outweigh that. It connects you to the place you live like nothing else. Well, maybe walking might, but that's slow. It's exercise, it lets you acknowledge other people, it is so much fun (especially when cars are standing still), and makes you feel like a child again. And of course, as with many activities performed by a minority, it builds a secret camaraderie.

When cycling home yesterday, there was a cyclist cycling in the opposite direction, I was going fast downhill and he was out the saddle, climbing. As we very briefly noticed each other, I nodded my head and he dipped his helmet in return. Small gesture, a couple of seconds, but wow, made me feel like a million bucks.

There's a couple of things that sometimes make me think cycling is an effort, but a moment like that makes it completely worth it. Highly recommended.