The little things you see on a bike
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- August
- 9
This post is from contributor David Schloos.
I’ve been a resident of Rockland for more than 37 years now, and I’ve spent a good amount of time in various parts of the county. Sometimes though I find little things that amaze me, and most often I tend to find them while riding my bike.Today’s beautiful ride with the Rockland Bicycling Club took us through Pearl River on some meandering stretches of road connected by the busy-but-wide-shouldered Middletown Road. The route was so nice that I did it again in the afternoon with my wife, this time stopping for snacks at a new bagel store called Zimi. (Expect a future post on why bagel stores are the cyclist’s best friend.)While sitting and enjoying a cool beverage in the fall-like air I noticed something I’ve never seen before, and would be unlikely to see if I hadn’t been riding (in fact I’d passed it dozens of times in my life)— a small graveyard.Cordoned off by a fence the small cemetery had stones going back to at least the 1800’s, and several were so old that the writing was completely worn off. (If anyone knows more about this plot, please be so kind as to post in the comments.)There’s a Chinese expression my dad used to cite as we’d go for long walks “galloping horse appreciates flower,” a sarcastic look at the way that the speed of modern life can often move us too fast to appreciate the slow things.I think of my bike as a nice way to slow down and discover the world around me, and I’m glad for all the little things I see when I’m on the road.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, August 9th, 2008 at 9:35 PM by Laurel Babcock. 
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David,
I have recently started riding my bike to work after many years from Haverstraw to Blauvelt.
You are absolutely correct about the things you see. Just the connection with other people, just saying “Good Morning” as you pass them is something enjoyable.
Last week I passed through Vallry Cottage and saw a little gargoyle that someone left on a stump near the train track. I thought it was cool so I snapped a picture. The next day it was gone. I have the picture though.
The “scenery is really pleasant and it’s a great way to burn off the day’s tension.
Good riding!