Becoming Indigenous

When the word "indigenous" comes to mind many of us gather in our minds images of little people, barely clothed, running around some jungle or desert. Armed with only a spear or a bow and arrow and carrying only a quiver or small satchel of sorts these characters live off the land, function as hunter-gatherers, horde little and, as far as those of whom discover them are concerned, were born out of the land itself. It seems that every environment and land has its respective indigenous peoples. There are the American Indians and images of tepees and hunting buffalo on horseback, the Eskimos and their igloos and seal hunting escapades.

It seems that the landscape has once again bore itself a people group all its own and all too part of the landscape. An urban, indigenous people exist, however they do not carry spears but u-locks. They do not sport quivers and cool loin cloths but courier bags and 3/4 length pants. They do not ride upon horses but on simple machines made of two circles and two triangles. The urban indigenous people ride bikes and are often accused of almost hitting pedestrians.

Upon taking up biking in the city, one becomes aware of the presence of this sub-culture like indigenous people group we all call messengers. They are dressed something like that of above and they're bikes are striped of every extra part that would add even an ounce of weight leaving only and just the most crucial parts needed to make a bike move. Two circles and two wheels, a set of pedals, chain, seat, handlebars.

I in no way associate myself with the messenger community apart from the fact that like them, I happen to ride a bike as well sometimes. However, the longer one rides a bike in the city the more "indigenous" one becomes. I find myself looking over my bike for parts I can do without, allowing it a sleeker, simpler look and a lighter ride. I too have searched for the perfect 3/4 length pants which breath well, yet block the wind, but are also waterproof all while being just short enough to stay out of the way of the chain. I too have attached a fender to my bike and now wear completely waterproof sandals, which wear like a shoe in that they cover one's toes protecting them from toe clips and have thick soles, yet have open sides and are built for the bare foot like a sandal. This allows me to ride in any weather as far as the summer, spring and fall months are concerned. As far as winter is concerned, I too own a hood, which one would confuse as a fitting headpiece for bank robbing, but is justified as long as I stay near my bike and it is below twenty degrees out.

While biking in the city I have learned that the above mentioned are not fashion statements but felt needs of biking. This aspect actually helps me in my social life, however. If something I'm wearing comes across as off or strange, fashion wise, all is forgiven at the thought that I rode to our meeting destination. I find it easier to wear the same clothes over and over and in a row in front of the same people as well, which is something I have tried to perfect all my life, especially in elementary and middle school, and now have just stumbled upon the answer. People can't expect one to look great after biking in eighty-five degree weather and they can't expect one to get all their clothes sweaty.

It gets worse, however. In the heat of the summer (and the random rain storms), I have found that my shirt often becomes a source of extra heat and is just another item to get wet with sweat or rain, so at times I get rid of it. I find the best shorts to bike in in such heat need no belt, but have a draw string and are more simple all around. I have become a native, biking through the city in the heat of a day, shirtless with a small bag attached to my back, sport shorts and a pair of keens on my feet (no socks thank you. Since buying the Keens which I wear, I have stumbled upon yet another aspect I've been trying to attain and revisit from childhood, that being not wearing socks for the entire summer. Now if I could just figure out how to forget what day and month it is at all times I'd have it made). I can maintain a similar speed going any direction down any street in any amount of traffic. Rain or shine, it's all the same. It will always take me the same amount of time to get to a certain location and there is no waiting between point A and B.

Of all the space that there is not in a densely populated, highly trafficked municipal area, on a bike one finds what is left.