What has my life been like being a full-time cyclist? Well, I am a lot fitter for it and have tons of money saved from not having to pay for gas, insurance, and maintenance. I have a pretty old bike and I’m not terribly fast like a lot of the cyclists round me but it’s such a joy to just ride. It’s amazing to see San Antonio grow into a cycling city anyways no matter how people ride too.

However, I have had a few scares and have been stupid enough not to own a helmet. Sometimes when a car travels too close or I have to hit hard on the brakes because a car wants to cut in front of me, I question everything about this method of transportation. Am I becoming some sort of advocate or am I just trying to get back and forth to work? There are times when I do think I’d be better off with a car. That at least I’d be a lot safer.

But then when co-workers ask me genuinely if it’s been better not owning a car, or a fellow cyclist calls out to say I have good “bike manners”, I feel very good about the decision. There are so many young people around me flat broke, so much selfishness when driving because you have to get where you need to be, and then there’s the fact that there is community in cycling. Even if you don’t do group rides, you’re sure to have another biker give you a wave or ring there bell when passing you by. Aside from road trips, cycling is way better than driving. Trust me on this! And I feel very blessed to live in an awesome community where I’m close to everything; parks, museums, grocery stores, the parents, my friends, my job all take between 5 to 45 minutes. It’s fantastic!

So I suppose I need to stop questioning so much if it’s OK that I continue riding and find better methods of riding. Such as investing in a good helmet, finding better routes to get around before I set out on my rides, and taking good care of “Big Red”. Who knows, I may purchase a vehicle in the future or even fix up a classic car. I’ve always been in love with old pieces of junk anyway. But for now I’m using that gas money to see The Descendants and Santigold in Houston this summer. I’m using those maintenance fees to eat at new and delicious restaurants. And that insurance money is going to awesome vintage dresses. It’ll be almost a year without having a car so I can’t give up now. Life looks a lot better on a bike. I just want to keep that life for as long as I can.  Heat, rain, hills, long distances, I know I can ride it out. I’m gonna ride this life out the best I can. Cute helmets will be involved very soon!

Tarot Card by Belle Helmets//Surface in White by Giro//Section in Eleanor Circles by Giro