Many children and adults in California will receive a shiny new bike this Christmas. Low income kids and even kids in Baja California will also receive shiny, recycled bikes, thanks to a variety of citizens, surfers and community groups who collect unwanted bicycle donations, fix them up and deliver them to kids who are delighted to receive such a gift. Here are some bicycle riding tips!.

Biking With C. MacDonald

NEAR THE BEACH–I look forward to riding my beachcruiser along the spectacular sandy landscape from Seal to Sunset to Huntington to Newport and beyond. It’s invigorating, it gets the heart pounding, it cleans the cobwebs from the mind, it makes me happy, it educates me about people, dogs, pelicans, seagulls, lest terns, cloud formations, sail boat races and the wind.

I’d love the wind always to be behind me, coming back from a 20+ mile journey but usually it isn’t. Most of the time, the wind’s behind me when I head out, and in my face, while returning. “So, why don’t you just reverse your direction?” you might be thinking. Not a bad idea but sometimes that just doesn’t work because the wind will shift. I’ve started off riding into the wind and heading back with the wind still in my face. Funny thing that wind. I like it because it often blows the pollution away and helps me with my muscle tone, especially when I’m meeting (struggling with) it head-on. I do like the challenge of “taking on” the wind when it’s blowing at maximum force. Don’t ask me why. Maybe it’s a David vs. Goliath thing.

The wind can be unpredictable and so can the people and animals along the way. When you’re peddling on weekends or during the Summer, on a beach trail, you’ve got to keep your eye on the folks around you. I’ve seen it all. Read my tips on bicycling.