[TM] C2 speech: My bike and I

Speaking of Giant, Merida and Fuji, what word came to your mind in the first place? You probably have learned Lance Armstrong, the great cyclist during the past decade all over the magazine but do you know that Taiwan has exported about 5 million bicycles worth 7.2 billion US dolloars last year? Taiwan is so-called the kindom of bicycle and people who grew up in Taiwan have various memories with bicycles, and so am I at different stage of my life.

My very first bike is one of a kind. It is a three-wheeler with the super cool yellow color and colorful tassels at the end of the handle bar. The best thing about this three-wheeler is the honk on the on the handle bar which would help to scare away the dog/bike/people or whatever gets in my way. I was very proud of my three-wheeler and it did take me to the very far end of the alley where I lived on. That was a very exciting little get-away from home and I learned how it felt like when the breeze came across on the bike. I remember that it was a sunny yet very nice afternoon in the autumn.

People said that a good beginning would lead you to the next stage smoothly. My successful experience with three-wheeler did bring me further on the biking. At age of 6 or 7, I wanted to learn how to ride the two-wheelers because that’s what my cousins do and they were very cool people. However, like the learning journey of most kids, I have to start with the training wheels at the beginning. After a few scratches and bruises and yell from my mom, I finally get rid of the training wheels and officially joined the family of two-wheelers! I was exciting and finally, I could take the final challenge of riding my grandpa’s old bike which I barely can reach the saddle because I was too short at that time. Actually I did not remember if I have ever sit on that saddle. My cousins and I were taking in turn try to avoid falling into the water tunnel in the little alley of the veteran village. That’s how my solid riding skill started to build up.

As I grew older, biking has been my way of moving from building to building, and I did not consider biking as a sport in my life but a mean of transportation at that time. I would think people who ride 100km a day as exercise are mere people who have too much energy and they are too bored as well. It all changed after my first biking by road bike last March. My initiative was to get rid of the jetlag after my business trip from Houston and the best way to do so is to get up really early and try to make yourself as tired as possible during the daytime. From the lesson I learned that it’s very important to pick your bikemate at the first place and be aware of the words they used such as “it’s an easy route” or “it would be too far.” Guess how much they biked that day on the so-called “easy route”? However the beautiful Northern coast line and the splendid sunshine still formed an unforgettable scene in my head.

Therefore I started my double face life. During weekday, days in and days out I am a boring engineer but on the weekends, I am the worrier on the road. I grab every chance I could to bike during the weekend. My friends asked, Helen, what are you so into biking? From my appearance you would tell that you probably would’ve guessed the first reason. Exercise really helps people to stay in shape and healthy. Although the side effect would be the darker skin tone but it’s really worthy it, and at least I got of the red mark on my body fat on my health exam report. Second most important would probably be the chance to meet different people from different parts of Taiwan. During my round island trip last year and numerous little get-aways during the weekend, I learned that people on this island are very friendly and serious about their lives. During my stay at various B&B, I meant people from all over Taiwan and share the stories with them when they have different incentive to bike or to travel. From the talk with them, I also learned more about this land, the stories behind, which you would never google on the internet. These are the most memorable rosy moments in my life. Last but not the least, to get a taste of the gourmet from different part of Taiwan would be the cherry on the top after the hard-core biking. To indulge yourself with the juicy meaty dumpling or a huge plate of fresh mango ice, I could continue my journey…to the next food stand or restaurant!

To me, biking is an acronym of food, exercise, fun and friends. It is not only a mean of transportation, but also a way to connect with people on this land. I hope that you would try someday and get to know the fun part of biking. I would continue my journey with my bike with my and hope to see one of you on the road one day after my speech today.

Toastmaster of the meeting.

Time: 7 minute 14 seconds

Ah: 4 Ahs

Comments: Repeat the number mentioned in the paragraph and leave at least one minute for conclusion