While traveling last week, I decided to rent a bike to get some exercise and take advantage of the warm weather. What a valuable lesson it turned out to be. The only bikes available while equipped with old-school baskets and kickstands were lacking in handbrakes and gears. I hopped on this beauty of a bike and took to the bike paths with a fresh perspective.
Yes, I must admit, I missed the idea of my bike and its 30 gears. Had a bike similar to the one waiting for me at home been available to rent, I’d have chosen it. Lucky for me, I had no choice other than this sweet low-tech beauty. I also had no need for any of those 30 gears I’ve become so accustomed to dependent upon when I ride my bike at home. A lesson learned here: how much tech power do we need? Do we make things more complicated by using technology because it’s available rather than because we need it.
I think about how we as a society invest our resources – time, energy, funds – pretty frequently. Usually it’s in the context of healthcare. Are stronger, more expensive drugs the answer to the culture of dis-ease? Or do we need to take a step (or many steps) back and get closer to nature to heal so many of the chronic illnesses that seem to be the result of poor choices?
Do yourself a favor, take a ride on a yellow low-tech bike and have a colorful salad for your next meal. Then make a habit of choosing these options. You just might find yourself feeling a bit better than you thought possible.
