By Karen Kefauver
December 19, 2014
Link to Sentinel Article
Columnist Karen Kefauver gets in a ride at the Chanticleer Pump Track in Santa Cruz in May.
Clayton Ryon, file — Contributed
’Tis the season for me to bike to holiday gatherings — at night, in the rain, wearing my favorite cycling superhero outfit: my head-to-toe purple rain suit. I am also adorned with lights on my bike, blinking red in the back, shining white in the front. And to complete the look, of course, is my floral-patterned blue and white bike helmet. Quite a spectacle.
Photos by Karen Kefauver — Santa Cruz Sentinel
But it’s worth the effort to bike instead of drive in order to avoid the stressful holiday traffic and parking. Plus, it’s always a delight knowing that no one else at the business party will arrive wearing the same stylish duds. (I must admit that I do sport a dressy outfit beneath the rain gear!)
Feeling quite festive after Wednesday night’s gala, I cycled home to indulge in a delightful year-end ritual. No, I didn’t curl up on the couch in my pajamas, drink eggnog and flip through a stack of cycling magazines. Instead, as fast as Santa’s reindeer, I dashed to my bookshelf and swept all my books and files onto the floor into a nice big mess. That’s one way to get your jollies if you work at a home office, have a small bookshelf and like to pretend you are a feng shui master.
Photos by Karen Kefauver — Santa Cruz Sentinel
I know it may be weird to unleash your inner naughty child in your home office, but it always leads to something interesting, if you clean it all up by Christmas Eve, you’re still in good with Santa.
This year’s home office revelation was that I have been writing Spin City for nearly five years.
Photos by Karen Kefauver — Santa Cruz Sentinel
Time rolls by so fast, especially on two wheels (or one to three wheels — I have written about unicycles and cargo bikes, too). I flipped through pages of my stories, which are really your stories, and got sentimental. That’s why I wanted to use this month’s column to thank you, the readers and cyclists who are so passionate about this sport. Thanks, too, of course, to the editors at the Sentinel who recognize that bicycling plays a huge role in our lives here both professionally and personally through industry and recreation.
I pay tribute to you by sharing your voices when you answered the question I asked you, in an unscientific, online survey: “Why do you ride your bike?” In random order, here is a small selection of your inspiring answers. Get ready, get set, go!
“I ride my bike for therapy. I ride my bike for my health. I ride my bike to refresh. So many good things come out of being on the bike. Primarily, I mountain bike for recreation. When I get out on the trail with the sounds of woods I get a feeling of freedom. Hitting the trail is my daily re-set button and it works.” — Michael Horn, 42, project manager, Santa Cruz.
“I ride my bicycle so my students will think I’m cool. This works for a K-8 P.E. teacher.” — Lauren Robertson Junker, 32, educator, bike apparel designer, Santa Cruz.
“Because there is never any traffic in the bike lane.” — Nick Moless, 36, program manager, Felton.
“I ride my bike because, for a little while, I can leave all of my problems behind me (they’re slow and I’m fast on my bike). They catch back up eventually but I get a respite while I’m out thrashing trails. Sounds a little corny but it is true.” — Erik Orgell, 45, tech support, Santa Cruz.
“Because it makes me feel like a kid again.” — Geoffrey Smith, ocean sciences research specialist, Santa Cruz.
“To confirm that my legs can still get me somewhere inspiring.” — Doug Engfer, 56, semi-retired entrepreneur, Santa Cruz.
“I was given a bike when I was diagnosed with diabetes this past August. I ride to lose weight, lower my blood pressure, and to get my body to return to normal. And it’s fun!” — Lynda J. Williams, 52, designer, Santa Cruz.
“My bike is my church. The trails are my gym. The people I ride with are my friends and they inspire me. Riding brings me joy.” — Thomas Jones, 49, solution architect, Santa Cruz.
