You would not recognize me in a crowd. I’m the shy one; observing-not participating. But all things change when I ride my bicycle up and down Commercial Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts–a destination noted by Pink  Choice as one of the most gay-friendly travel destinations in the world.

Commercial Street Provincetown

I developed an unofficial economic forecasting tool to note the state of the Provincetown economy. If I have to stop, slow down, or get off my bike entirely when riding down Commercial Street–the economy is healthy. Commercial Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts is one Cape Cod’s busiest and unique streets. A must-see destination when traveling to Cape Cod.  Although one is not supposed to walk up or down the middle of Commercial Street–throngs  of visitors do. Cars move at a snail’s pace. This makes for interesting bicycle weaving………I mean riding. Ring-ring! How I feel a sense of delight at the sound of a bicycle bell!

I start my bicycle adventure at the East End of Commercial Street and wind up at the end of Commercial Street in Provincetown’s West End. Ring-ring! Hello, Joe, host at Fanizzis Restaurant-home of the all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch. Joe is kind. He always finds a table for me, a solo traveler—or a group of 10.

Ring-ring! Hello Miss Ellie. Miss Ellie sings the Great American Songbook in front of Town Hall. Her smile lights up the universe. And her fashion sense? Miss Ellie can pull off short skirts at age ….(never reveal a lady’s age)…SING YOUR THING Miss Ellie!!! You make me happy as I continue my bicycle ride down Provincetown’s famed Commercial Street.

View of Commercial Street Provincetown

Ring-ring! There is Ken and Marc walking to their Restaurant, Ross’ Grill located on the top floor of Whaler’s Wharf. I bet Marc is about to order the wine for the week. Let me think. I guess Ken will begin prep work in the kitchen. Can you say Wellfleet oysters? Hand-cut French fries? Gazpacho? I think I will get off my bike and wait ’till they open for lunch.

Ring-ring! Hello Christine. I admire that you stand rain or shine, certain times of the week, promoting peace and holding  signs reminding us of social justice.

Ring-ring! Hello newlyweds decked out in matching white wedding gowns. They must be on their way to their wedding. Ring-ring-ring-ring-ring for Massachusetts–and to Judge Margaret Marshall– for making gay marriage legal in Massachusetts. I have seen many a wedding party on Commercial Street. Love is love. I ring my bicycle bell for the wed or soon-to-be wed.

Ring-ring! There is Joe in the window of his old-fashion barber shop. I blow a kiss at him as I ride by and he is busy at work. Where else can one get a hot lather shave after a stellar hair cut, by a Bear barber? Or is it a barber Bear? Whatever. Ring-ring.

Commercial Street outside Town Hall

I love the freedom of Provincetwon. Here one  can belt out a song like Miss Ellie or walk hand-in-hand with your companion without the blink of an eye. Provincetown respects all individuals. It is a No-Hate registered community. Oh, and you can bicycle up and down the side streets to see charming Cape Cod houses dating back to the 1800′s. Ring-ring! There is a cat crossing the narrow street. Hello, Miss Kitty. Did you catch any mice today?

The economy is on the upswing. Business is good in Provincetown. By bicycle tells me this.

I feel it is important to support gay owned and/ or gay friendly businesses like: Revere Guest House (off of Commercial Street), Heritage House (behind the historic library, off of Commercial Street), New York Ice Cream Shop, Fanizzis Restaurant,  Far Land Provisions (on nearby Bradford Street that runs parallel to Commercial Street) , and The Wired Puppy Coffee shop.

My last bicycle ride from the East End to the West End of Commercial Street was stop and go. Go and stop.  I did not mind. I slowed down to look at the art in the windows of the many fine galleries, note what is being sold in the many eclectic shops, smell the fried Portuguese dough wafting from the Portuguese Bakery, observe the people sitting on the benches in front of Town Hall, and  just plain slowing down my pace of life.

So come to Provincetown. Ditch the car. Rent a bicycle. Take the long ride from beginning of Commercial Street, starting in the East End, to the end of Commercial Street, landing up in the West End. By all means…………..make sure you  rent bicycle with a bell!.

Ring-ring ……and think of me.

Brendan Ben Feeney

Mr, Feeeney is an educator, visual artist, writer, and communication consultant. You may visit Mr. Feeney’s new web site Brendanbenfeeney.com.  He has been a visitor to Provincetown since 1977.