I recently posted about taking my Bike Friday with me on a business trip. This was the first time in the two years that I've owned that bike that I actually packed it in a suitcase and flew with it. While bringing my bike along provides me the opportunity to ride in places I would not otherwise have the opportunity to ride, it also comes with some degree of sacrifice. I had to take the time to pack and unpack it. I had to hassle with wheeling it around, checking it, waiting at baggage claim to pick it up and loading and unloading it into the rental car. I had to pay baggage fees of $25 each way. Finally, and most significant of all, my flexibility in making alternate travel arrangements (due to flight delays) was severely hampered by the fact that I had to worry about the whereabouts of a bicycle.
All that being said, the burning question is, "were all the sacrifices worth it?". I wrestled with the answer to that question up until the afternoon of the third day of my trip. I was within the first mile of my first ride. All debate ceased. All doubt was erased. The answer was absolutely clear - a resounding "YES!".
For two hours, I rode along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. The skies were clear. The winds were mild. The temperature a comfortable 75 F in the middle of March.
I crossed over the new Highway 90 bridge from Biloxi, MS to Ocean Springs, MS...
The old bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina...
I happened upon a bike route...
It wound along the beach...
In front of quaint beach cottages...
Around inlets lined with shrimp boats...
Through the woods...
Along alligator ponds...
Was it worth it? You bet!!!
