Bicycle Hindsight

'Hindsight' in this context does not refer to seeing the traffic behind you. Although some recent jaunts on my old mountain bike reminded me how much I like the sideview mirror installed on it.

No, hindsight refers to those trips that you realize you should have made by bicycle, but it is too late to change your mind. I had one of those Sunday night. Heading home from Decatur a little after 8 p.m. on a soft, springlike night. The streets were quiet and I felt a tad sleepy. I had my bicycle (Blue Belle) with me. After dropping the Beau off I headed by default to the MARTA station. Sure, the Sunday train schedule might mean a wait, but I wasn't in a hurry.

But in the 12 minutes that I waited for the train, I realized I had made the wrong choice. Don't get me wrong, MARTA is a great service and I couldn't live without it. But it was a beatiful night. Cruising towards downtown would not have felt like effort at all. It would have been a series of experiences - fresh cool air as I passed by parks, glimpses of sparkling skyscrapers downtown, fading voices of people walking to homes or restaurants. And it would have taken the same amount of time. Ah well. Next time I'll choose more wisely.