THOUGHTS ON A BIKE: JOURNEYS

– A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

A bike ride, whether 5, 50, 100, or 200 kilometers, begins with a single turn of the pedals. Unless, of course, you’re starting on a downhill.

Life on a bicycle is full of journeys, some short, some long. Each one is painted in the changing colors of the seasons, especially if, like me, you’re on a bike almost every day. It begins in winter, in shades of grey and forest branches catching the pale sunlight, hues only a hyperrealist painter would dare mix with a dirty violet. A few months later, spring greens wash over the world around us. Then comes the vibrant palette of summer, followed by autumn’s swan song, leaves slowly fading, trees dressed in a dozen hues of orange and red, until frost and wind gently undress them.

Cycling, for me, is a way to explore the unknown. I hunger for discoveries, of places, people, and even myself.

First, I get to know myself, because I often ride alone. These solo rides show me how far I can push my limits in different conditions.

Second, I’m drawn to new horizons. The blue silhouette of an unfamiliar mountain in the distance whispers an invitation. Not today, perhaps. But soon.

Third, by covering distances both near and far, I meet people and encounter new languages, customs, and ways of life. I travel with an open heart and mind. I don’t spare a greeting, whether I know the person or not. A simple hello often leads to a conversation, and from those exchanges, I learn and grow.

And so it goes… Thoughts begin to flow as the wheels turn. The inspiration for these few lines struck me on Saturday, October 11th, during a ride to Sveta Trojica and Lenart in the Slovenske Gorice hills. I was drawn there by a curious blank spot on my map, an area I’d never cycled through. A gap waiting to be filled.

Naturally, while climbing a hill near the village of Janžev Vrh, my eyes caught the distant outline of a mountain to the north. Which one? I’ll find out once I turn the pedals enough times to bring me there.

Cheers,
Siniša