Perfect Day

Right after I start swaying the pedals, all things become much slower. I didn’t realize that it’s almost the harvest time on the field. The green paddy fields turn into yellow and some of the plants fall down as a sign of being ready to be harvested. Grandpa must be expecting a good harvest this time, after some bitter experiences of the previous harvest. Last year his fields didn’t fruit as much as he wished. This year harvest should be able to cover up all the efforts he and his fellow farmers made. I never knew that biking could be this fun.

The scenery alongside the road seems going on slow motion. I get to say hi more properly to the neighbours and give more attention on what they are doing. A mother is feeding a little kid in front of the house at the north side of the field near my house. And the further I go, I see many more different things. They’re just common activities done by the common people, but it feels like I notice them just now. I can’t express the feeling very well since I’m trying to write in English, even though my skill of which is still limited. It’s just.. you know, the feeling is like when you’re finally able to enjoy everything around you without worrying to be strucked by something (or to struck something), without any need to be hurrya or being late.

In order to have the time to go to the office by biking, I need to wake up earlier in the morning. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach the office. Not really necessary to do everything faster or earlier, though, but if I want to bike while getting some fresh air, it’s better to go when the road isn’t yet crowded. By getting up early, I realise there’s something that feels different when doing the daily routines, like I become more positive and energetic. My heart feels lighter and it’s no more tiring to smile to strangers. It makes me easier to start a conversation. So many change just because of waking up some minutes earlier.

Time is indeed definitely both the best investment and reward. By biking there are more time to invest and more time as reward. The body will get healthier, of course, and more than that, there’s some peace in mind when I see every things around in more detail.

Even though I still can’t go further than going from the house to office, I think I do fall in love with biking. It starts today. The sky is not necessarily blue, but rather grey. A nice weather for pedalling because i won’t be too sweaty. My bike is not the bike used for serious biking. It has a passenger chair at the back and a basket in front of the steer. I put my bag in it. But the gear can be adjusted like the usual sport bike to make the rider pedal easier. I set the gear to number 2 for pedalling on the typical plain city road. It’s not heavy but I start feeling the pressure on my knees after five minutes. Geezz, I guess I’m really weak. I need to work out more. But everything else is just fine. 20 minutes later, the moment I park my bike, rain starts pouring.

The weather becomes colder but it doesn’t matter.