how a woman feels on a bike

It's about is freedom. It's about independence.

I can go where I want when I want how fast or slow I want. I'm not held back by restrictions of wealth. I'm not held back by restrictions of status. I'm not held back by restrictions of time.

I get to my location within the millisecond of when I predicted I would be there. I can park directly in front of the bar, restaurant or otherwise carpeted venue without paying a valet. Without belting in. Without stepping on any dirty gas pedal. Without making any payments to anyone.

On the way there, I will feel the vivacity of being ALIVE. I will fill my lungs with air. I will feel the blood pumping through my veins. I will feel my heartbeat pounding in my chest.

Underneath my saddle, I feel a connection to the earth. In yoga class, my teacher always tells me to feel the earth rising to touch the soles of my feet. On my bike, when I'm riding, I actually feel that energy rising into my sit bones. My feet are pedaling, and with each rotation, the Earth rises into my calves, my thighs, my pelvis. I know where I am.

I am on the streets of San Francisco.

I overhear drunken conversations of passersby. Whose house will you end up at tonight? Where will you go for your next drink? How hard will it be to go to the office tomorrow? Did someone see you out of your element?

Yeah, it was me. I actually was close enough to the curb that I saw that stolen glance, that secret kiss... You didn't think I could see or hear you, but I was close enough that I witnessed it all.

Sometimes I wonder how much Ralph Lauren, Betsey Johnson, Karl Lagerfeld, Vivienne Westwood, John Fluevog and (RIP) Alexander McQueen would treasure this type of connection that I feel with the PEOPLE when I am riding my bike on the street. Isn't that person walking home drunk and fabulous with a disposable income who they are trying to reach? Would it benefit them to rid themselves of their towncars/limos/tinted windows and experience life in its purest and most vibrant form?

Every time I sit in my saddle and live this life experience (my daily transportation from point A to point B) my bike reminds me of why it feels good to be alive.