While Skyping with family over the weekend, my brother walked in his new bicycle–a handsome velocipede if ever there was one.
It got me thinking of my first ride–candy apple red with matching banana seat, flecked with gold and gold stripes, and red and gold handlebar streamers. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Thankfully, it was also well made for the first time I rode it, I panicked, hit a mailbox, and landed bike down, in a ditch.
Once I got the hang of it, however, I was off and running … or riding, as the case may be. I even managed to get the hang of a ten speed. Mine was black, pink, and turquoise, thank you very much. I was totally cool cruising the ‘hood with friends. No matter that we had nowhere in particular to go, we were out on the “open road”… anything was possible.
Of course, I haven’t owned a bicycle for years–decades even. There’s a good chance it’s for the best. The last time I road a bike was with friends–at least I started with friends. They decided it would be great fun to end our stay at Ponderosa State Park with a mountain bike excursion; I decided that sounded like hell, but kept it to myself.
We rented bikes and helmets, and set off on an “easy” trail. Seeing how I hadn’t been on a bicycle for ten years or so, I lagged woefully behind. For the most part, I’ve blocked it from memory. I recall dirt and rocks, and an extremely narrow path that plunged to horrific depths below. It was precarious at best. I’m not exactly sure what transpired. All I know is by the time I reached my friends–waiting and laughing atop a MOUNTAIN–not only was I near dead, my helmet sat askew on my head, and there were tire tracks running down one leg. Considering I was the only bike for miles, it appears I ran over my own leg. Yeah, no one knows; but I’ve yet to get back on a bike.
And yet, when I see something like this, I recall only those days of carefree abandon…
{Studine Classic Balloon by Velorbis}
Surely, a bicycle like this provided inspiration from whence, “it’s like riding a bicycle” was coined. Surely, a bicycle like this, even the likes of I could ride–in a skirt and heels, no less!
At the very least, it allows a girl to dream …
Well I've been meaning to email you or respond to a post and this seemed like the perfect opportunity! I too had not been on a bike in years before moving to Fort Collins. It's almost required here. How else would you participate in Tour de Fat or Bike in Cinema? Robert even received his very own FREE New Belgium cruiser bike on his one year anniversary at the brewery. (I'll have to send you a photo.) Our cruisers are for riding into Old Town and drinking on patios. We're still working on a mountain bike for me (which I have similar thoughts about as you did on your rented bike) so that we can ride "off road". Hmmm. I guess if we don't find one, we'll have to stick to the road, the movies, and the beer. How bad can that be?
Bike in Cinema … *swoon!* I may be willing to give riding a bike another shot for something like that–when no one was looking, naturally. And I'd definitely stick with the road, movies and beer–but that could just be me! :)From: notifications@intensedebatemail.comTo: amosjo73@hotmail.comSubject: Magpie and Muttonfly – New comment on: With the wind in my hair
black, pink and turqousie!! Oh the happy happy colors of childhood. ( although, I´m trying to forget all about those happy colors combined together)
It´s amazing how talented you are Amy! Running over yourself with a bike and all! hihihi
My recent post what´s new
What can I say? It was the 80's … they were the colors to have. And talented. Right. That's what it is … :)From: notifications@intensedebatemail.comTo: amosjo73@hotmail.comSubject: Magpie and Muttonfly – New comment on: With the wind in my hair
that bike is totally rad – i need to ride mine more
I love that bike! I soooo want a bike! Where I would store it, haven't a clue. I need a fold up version 🙂
My recent post mad about mug rugs!
I haven't owned a bike in AGES!!! But if I did, I'd want something just like this…so pretty!