I think my odds for dying on two wheels is > 50%.
I've always had a fascination with 2 wheels.
I counted down from 3 wheels. When I was the same age, I rode my tricycle down a stair case at our apartment. I ended up having a gash and stitches on the underside of my chin.
I don't know why, but bicycles and motorcycles really speak to me. I remember the feeling of riding my past bikes, and each one has led to several adventures.
When I was 5 yrs old, my parents bought me my first real bike at a store called L&M Supply, which was a very large warehouse/hardware type store on the north side of Virginia, MN. My parents really splurged on this particular gift... I think I got it for my birthday. This bike was black and had a black banana seat with silver diamond pattern on it, similar to the floor of an Elvis cafe. It had a fake plastic gas tank with red "custom" flames on it, AND it had a squarish profile rear tire. This bike had a twist throttle that made a noise like a motorcycle.
Anyway, I'd like to write more about my past bicycles, but the original intent of this post was to talk about my probabilities. I like to bike, and I like to ride a motorcycle. For some reason, motorcycles are deemed more dangerous by everyone (what?!? your wife let you.., and you have kids...? aren't you worried?), yet something inside me makes me do it anyway. Personally, I think bicycles are more dangerous in this day and age, because you can't get away from the crazy drivers who are texting or eating their Big Macs behind the wheel, where on a motorcycle, if you are vigilant you can twist the throttle to avoid such catastrophes. I should bike to keep in shape, so I don't die of a heart attack, but if I bike, I have to avoid the "cagers", which is tough to do if you ride at 1/5th of their speed. If I ride the motorcycle, I'm likely to get in an accident, the question is not if, but when (so experienced motorcyclists say), but I'll also have the threat of not getting my exercise. I'm screwed in these circular references no matter how I look at it. Also there is the environmental aspects of riding a motorcycle. They aren't exactly emission friendly.. in fact, the bike I have wasn't even able to be sold in California in 2008 due to their emission standards.
So, I'm going to take my chances and try to ride (on bicycle) the Seattle to Portland this year. I sent in the registration money. Now if my ass can sit on a seat for 16 hours... .
