UC Davis is well known for its heavy biking culture. In the flurry of beach cruisers, racers, BMX’s and motor-powered bikes, you can spot numerous students and faculty biking with no hands at ease.
I’ve personally seen it all: a guy holding a tray of Starbucks drinks zooming with perfect balance, a student playing the guitar while biking, to the person dancing enthusiastically to the music in their earphones as their tires sway left and right to the beat. And then there’s me: the girl who bikes with two hands planted firmly on her handlebars.
Granted, a majority of these savvy bikers are most likely riders with years of experience under their belt. But, the English major in me can’t help but view the ability to bike with no hands as a metaphor for settling into college.
As a first year, I have only begun to dip my toes into the college experience. Freshman year is an odd transitional period where the routines of high school life begin to fade away, and you get a glimpse of what it’s like to be an independent adult. Time management breaks out of the periphery and becomes an essential survival skill. That’s why I devote so much time to cultivating a color-coded Google calendar and written planner for the entire quarter.
I’ve grown up socially conditioned to live a high uncertainty avoidance life; I believe that uncertainty is a constant threat that needs to be fought. I combat this constant threat by trying to plan out my every move in advance. That’s why I love the comfort of biking with two hands. I’m in full control and there is a high, almost guaranteed, percentage that I will reach where I want to go.
However, as winter quarter comes to a close, I have come to a realization. Although my itch to avert uncertainty and keep two hands on my bicycle is the safe way to bike through life, it may not be the most advantageous. I’ve learned that it can be beneficial to let go of the handlebars.
I’m learning to be comfortable biking with one hand. By keeping one hand on my handlebars, I still have the ability to defend myself against the unfamiliar, and my free hand has the newfound ability to greet and become accustomed to uncertainty. Learning to embrace the unknown is a process, just like learning how to bike with no hands is.
Scientifically speaking, biking with no hands means that you are at equilibrium. You have cultivated a rare balance and accept that life can run its course. It’s about allowing your free hands to take on more. You are completely settled into the college life, and you look insanely cool while doing it. First years, like me, look at hands-free cyclists in awe. We hope that one day, we’ll have the ability to transform college into a facile ride.
Of course, biking with no hands leaves you at risk of falling every now and then. But, here at UC Davis, there will always be people to pick you back up.
Cover image source: Pexels