Cycling
April 24, 2025
I met a new friend during a quick 10-mile lunch-break ride, just a short spin to hit my daily quota. I was nearing the midpoint when I spotted what looked like a tiny yellow leaf twitching on the path. I rode past it at first, but something didn’t feel right, so I circled back to get a better look.
I’m glad I did.
Turns out it wasn’t a leaf at all. Instead, it was a baby red-eared slider turtle, flipped on his back and baking in the sun. He was a good distance from any water, stranded on the hot pavement, with legs flailing. There was no way I was going to just leave him there, not with the sun beating down and bikes flying by. So I scooped him up, rode a little ways down to the Lehigh River, and gently set him into a rock. He didn’t waste any time and swam off like nothing had happened.
I know red-eared sliders aren’t exactly beloved in the local ecosystem, and they’re technically invasive. But when it comes down to it, I couldn’t let a baby turtle die like that. I have a sweet spot for animals, and I do not seeing them in pain. Due to the amount of turtles I see on every ride, I suspect he hatched natively, and wasn’t an unwanted pet. Funny enough, just a few days later, I spotted another one, but it didn’t need my help.
And yes, I washed my hands afterward. Although I could feel his tiny sharp claws, they were too small to break skin and I was wearing gloves, so the risk was low. I’ve since learned that baby turtles are pretty much walking salmonella nuggets. I didn’t know about this before handling him, but I do now. I guess you really do learn something new everyday.
It wasn’t something I expected when I set out for a mid-day ride, but I’ll take it. One of the things I’ve grown to love most about cycling is how it puts me face to face with the nature. I’ve watched deer and foxes cross my pass, felt the seasons shift with each pedal stroke, and now, I rescue turtles. It’s just another reminder that when you slow down appreciate the things around you, the ride gives back in unexpected ways.
