As per usual, I just woke up late for my 9 a.m. class.
Class starts in five minutes and I’m staring up at the ceiling contemplating if I’m even brave enough to show up to class late, knowing that all eyes will be locked on me when I open the classroom doors. Plus I’m not even going to bother to properly dress myself since I’m this behind, so that’s like a double negative. It’s one thing if you show up late to class looking neat and well groomed but being the person who shows up with bedhead is way too horrifying.
But just when I think all hope is lost and I’ve made my peace with probably failing the class, I remember the life-changing investment I made a few weeks ago: my beautiful Charlie.
I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that if I just hop on and ride Charlie, I’ll be able to get to class quickly and with time to kill. I’ve been riding Charlie for a while now and he’s made a huge impact on me. Oh right, I should probably mention that Charlie isn’t human, but something much better and useful.
Charlie is my bike.
With a smile, a twinkle in my eye and a spring in my step (I’m lying this is a 9 a.m. class we’re talking about). I get out of bed and onto my bike. I ride carelessly, knowing that I’ll get to class on time and not cause the shameful scene of showing up late. I’m happy. Buying a bike has forever changed my life for the better. And if you’re like most students who showed up to college without a car, a bike is a replacement you should seriously consider.
I initially decided to purchase a bike because I was growing tired of missing early classes. I grew tired of trudging through the relentless rain and puddles. I grew tired of making a day trip out of going to the library because it’s easily a 20-minute walk from my apartment. 20 minutes.
That’s an entire episode of Friends I could’ve watched. (No but seriously, I’m very passionate about Friends so that’s a big deal.) The University of Oregon has a pretty large campus, and if you think about it, all you are doing on campus is walking from one place to another. That’s so much time unnecessarily allocated to just walking. I apologize to the creator of the phrase “stop and smell the roses” but I’ve got stuff to do, and if I can cut down some needless time so I can spend it somewhere I actually want to spend it, I will.
I enjoy biking as well. It’s very satisfying being able to glide your way through puddles that would ruin someone else’s shoes. It’s fun going down hills on your way to class. There’s a rush you get from biking that leaves you feeling refreshed and energized. Unlike walking, which, in this rainy weather, makes you want to curl up in your bed and never leave, biking gives you a sense of adventure and excitement, a good combination to wake-up for an early class.
So if you’re like me and you didn’t get a convertible as a going away to college present, I personally recommend investing in a solid, reliable bicycle. It’s an investment that you’ll immediately see the benefits of, especially in bike-friendly Eugene where streets cater to bikers with plenty of bike lanes, air pumps and such.
If money is an issue and you’re not looking to break the bank on a car, a bicycle can be a very cost-effective alternate solution (I got mine for $400 at the Blue Heron Bike Shop on 13th Avenue).
Long story short, if you haven’t already, buy a bike. And if you’re reading this and still aren’t convinced, or you hate bikers, or you never learned how to ride a bike or whatever: Just know that I’ll be the one laughing as I swiftly soar, feet never touching the ground, past the walking commoner you are.