Casual Magic
By Ariana Fernández
Cycling has always been an activity that I simply do to workout or have fun. My dad would always take me out to go mountain biking, and then eventually we started road cycling together; something I absolutely fell in love with. Throughout COVID, road cycling became my outlet. It kept me sane while I went through a “virtual” year of highschool - my toughest. Going out at 6am on my bike and watching the sunrise became more than just a sport to get me out of the house, it also allowed me the opportunity to explore my neighborhood and surrounding community.
Ernest Hemingway once wrote: “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are...”
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are...
Ernest Hemingway
There are so many things in my hometown that I don't think I would have ever seen – or even treasure – had it not been for exploring on my bike during the pandemic era. I think Hemingway’s quote perfectly sums up how I feel about cycling. Seeing something that may seem so small, like a pretty sunrise, or a turtle crossing the street, was something that would make my whole day. An influencer who I have followed for years named Jade (UnJaded Jade on social media) describes these moments at “Causal Magic.” Every day I search for this magic, and my bike brings me closer to finding it..
Now, as a university student, these types of acts and ideas continue to grow deeper in meaning for me. As I find myself busier with school, and put immense focus into building the stepping stones for the start of my career, riding my bicycle helps me remain present, even when I am thinking of the future. It centers me.
In 2023 I spent a year studying abroad in Incheon and Seoul, South Korea. One of my most memorable days was exploring Songdo via an e-bike.
In 2023 I spent a year studying abroad in Incheon and Seoul, South Korea. South Korea is considerably smaller than the United States and the nation has invested considerably in transit infrastructure. Living in South Korea and riding Kakao e-bikes (since I wasn’t able to take my own), taking the Seoul metro, and mastering the numerous local and inter-city bus systems, I realized just how fun it could be to add diversity to my daily commutes. I loved the fact that no matter where I went, I had options between the bus, bike, metro, or even a mix. Living in Incheon made me realize I was not chained to my car, and I valued the enjoyment of moving around in new and accessible ways.
Finding moments of “casual magic…
Now that I’m back home, I ride my bike to friends’ houses, to workout, and to continue to explore my community, often finding moments of “casual magic.” I try to avoid my car if I can, but most of the time I can't help but drive. In complete honesty I’ve become quite the insufferable student who can't stop talking or thinking about urban planning and how we get around, but I’ll save that for a different time!
Despite the positive experience of being abroad and being able to enjoy Seoul’s transit, I still missed my own bike so much. I often tell my friends that if I had my gravel bike in Incheon, I would have been unstoppable. There were so many bike paths in my local area that were calling for me to explore.
One of my most memorable days was exploring Songdo (the district of Incheon where my campus was located) for the first time via an e-bike with one of my close friends. I truly saw everything in new ways and fell in love with the city so much more. I learned the contours of my temporary country and managed to find lots of moments of casual magic. Next time - I’m bringing my bike with me…