Born to Run... Forced to Ride

I really dislike not being able to run. 

And I have mixed feelings about bike riding:  Cycling is fun, fast, and satisfying.  I love the sound of the wind blowing past my helmet-clad head.  I like thinking that I may be able to out-ride even the meanest rabid dog, should one choose to try to take a chunk out of my leg.  I enjoy being able to go relatively far distances on my bike.  Mostly, I love the speed I can get while going down a steep hill.

So, why do I get on my bike somewhat begrudgingly?  Because it's not running.  The thing is, I love to run.  I only like to bike.

I like the solitude I get from running.  I love the control running gives me.  I can control my speed (as long as it's set on slow).  When I run, I can see cars coming toward me because I can run facing on-coming traffic.  I like knowing that I won't get a flat shoe when I run.  I feel secure in knowing that if I fall while running, I probably don't have to worry about getting a brain injury.

Don't get me wrong, I totally "get" why people why people love to cycle!  If I weren't a runner, I'd be a cyclist.  Maybe.  Or a couch potato.

The other day, I received an email from a company that makes cycling jerseys.  They wanted me to check out their website and mention it on my blog  if I liked what I saw.  At first I laughed that they had obviously mistaken me for a cycling enthusiast.  Then I reminded myself that cycling often ends up being an important part of a runner's training.  Especially when that runner is trying to recover from a running related injury, such as myself.  At the very least, cycling can be a great cross-training activity... and we've all read of the importance of  cross-training.

I checked out their website.  And I liked what I saw!  The website is Share the Damn Road.  If you are a runner who cycles because of injury... or a tri-athlete... or a good little cross-trainer... check out this site!  These jerseys make a statement. And they are sort of funny, without taking away from the seriousness of the message.

This one makes me laugh because it's so simple... but it says it all:

I love understated remarks!

Notice that the "Thanks" is backwards so drivers can view it in their mirrors.

Then there's this one:

I could have used this one several times on my last bike ride.

Hmmm... I wonder if they have the arrow going the other direction in Europe.

I'm not so sure about this one:

This one is just asking for some smart a$$ teenager to honk.

I really like this one but I'm not sure if I want to be seen riding up to my church-based preschool in it:

Hmmm... maybe if I still worked in public school...

There are other jerseys available on the site... all of them have the dry humor seen on these examples.  Um, at least I assume the makers of these jerseys mean them to be funny.    Serious, but funny*.

*I apologize to Share the Damn Road if they aren't meant to be funny.   It's possible that I have a warped sense of humor.

In any case, there are times when I am scared of the drivers that share (or don't share) the road with me. There are times when cars whiz by me so close or so fast that I fear for my life for a few seconds.  Maybe these jerseys will make drivers more aware.  I know I would notice these jerseys if I saw one while driving.  I am not a jerk so I would give the cyclist room.  I would slow down.  I wouldn't honk (not that I do now).  I would NOT run the cyclist over (again... not that I do now).

What do you think?