I Can Ride My Bike With No Handlebars (I really can't...)

Dear Bicycle I know that you are must faster to ride
So that is why I'll make an attempt to take your use in stride.
However I have seen the danger that you so often draw
And I think I am still traumatized from a near miss I once saw.

The relationship between car and truck and bus and bike is fine
And that is why I usually feel that walking is divine.
But with an interview at 11 and a 2-mile distance ahead
I made a perhaps ill-advised decision to ride instead.

It took me maybe fifteen minutes to figure out the lock,
And luckily I didn't ride into the canal right off the dock.
I situated myself on the bike with heels and purse
Then shoved off from the curb and attempted not to curse.

Why does it seem that whenever you ride north it feels uphill?
(Although I must admit the later ride south is a thrill.)
As my legs pumped and I gained some speed, feeling rather deft,
I made sure to repeat my mantra "they drive here on the left."

Sometimes the bike teetered and frequently I would freak
But the ride up to Wolvercote passed on without a shriek.
Then I came to the roundabout and it was not a lark,
Right then I nearly turned around and wanted to disembark.

Why do the English roundabouts always make my frown?
It's like ring-around-the-rosie with a prayer I don't fall down.
I stuck to the left pavement for as long as I possibly could
And thanks to a kind woman I made it through the danger as I should.

What I was not prepared for with the circular road at my back
Was of all the houses, lanes and businesses, of which there were a lack
It was like riding through a busy interchange or freeway on-ramp
With all the cars just whizzing by, I did not feel like a champ.

After several missed exits and entrances, I nearly began to cry
But a sharp turn and a ride through the grass, with relief I gave a sigh.
It took less time to lock my bike up to the Holiday Inn fence
Although still enough time to worry if the patrons thought I was dense.

For fifteen heavenly minutes I saw in a comfy chair
And felt like a weight was off my shoulders and I had not a care.
But when the interview was over, I knew that it was time
To get back on the horse (or bike) and attempt to ride down the line.

The problem with the ride back home which was certainly unexpected
The lack of pavement and no bike lane I feel must be corrected.
I was not a happy camper when large buses went whizzing by
And several semis passed me, almost knocking me like a fly.

Again by the grace of God did I survive the round-about
And all the prayer I said in my head made me seem overly devout
I couldn't have been happier to see the Elizabeth Jennings sign
From there it was a short downhill ride that left me feeling fine.

Back in the comfort of my home a few small questions filled my mind
Like why do cars pretend I"m not there instead of being kind?
And even though I'm not in Irvine, why does my heart still pound
When I see a blue and white striped police car driving all around?

Don't get the impression that i hate the bike or never want to ride
But keeping it in a ten minute radius is a rule I'll now abide.
A two-wheeled vehicle is a wonderful invention from back in the day
But as are my two feet and walking for me is more desirable way.