The Last Mile

Well, actually it’s the last couple of yards of my bike commute into work.

I ride up a sidewalk, get off the bike, drag it up the stairs and then ride a few more yards to the bike rack.

Since the snow has been gone I’ve been thinking about this phase of the ride a lot. There is a nice concrete ramp on the side of the stairs. I’m a good rider. I think I can hop up on the ramp and ride up saving myself the time and effort of dismounting, schlepping the bike up the stairs, getting back on and riding that last little bit. It would be easy. I’d save time. It would be a challenge.

A couple of days ago, I gave it a try. 3/4 of the way up I drop of the ramp onto the grass. Not a bad first effort. The next day I approach with more confidence. Eyes straight ahead, look where you want to go, keep peddling smoothly. Success! I nail it right up the ramp and off the end and over to the bike rack.

Today, I’m really confident. I ride by a fellow cyclist at the nearby door and chat briefly on the fly and launch up the ramp. The approach is not very smooth, I’m not focused and suddenly I’m off the ramp and onto the steps. The front wheel ploughs into a step, the bike stops instantly, and I do a slo-mo over the handlebars onto the concrete. Embarrassed, but not too hurt except for a banged up knee and a scrape on the hip, I pick myself up and park the bike.

I’m sure next time will be better.