Look Who’s Loving the Bike: July

At the top of each month we like to feature the amazing stories and memories of people who are loving the bike.  Please take a look at what our July 2011 lovers have to say. Hey…..and we’d love to hear from you as well….feel free to submit your “Look Who’s Loving the Bike” story to us at any time.

Andrew Widgery – Guildford, UK

“Bikes clearly to many of us present our earliest memories of real independence away from parental control – our first significant feeling of freedom and a sense of speed .

My early memories was in borrowing a very beaten up tricycle owned by a cousin of mine when I was around 5 or 6 and who lived on a steep hill. It was red with a lot of the paintwork missing or somewhat tired and rusty in several places with slightly buckled wheels which rotated unencumbered as there were no brake blocks on the front wheel only and consequently no brakes of any description to slow the tricycle.

That particular failing clearly didn’t deter a young boy with a sense of adventure towards anything with wheels.

As a consequence slowing down was done by transferring ones bottom off the saddle and on to the mudguard that flexed sufficiently so it came into contact with the tyre and slowed the tricycle as I raced downhill on the pavement and taking a sharp left turn into their driveway that led to the garage lifting the nearside rear wheel off the ground in the process.

I recall It thrilled me so much I repeated the dare devil action for a good portion of the afternoon until it was tea time and the art of tipping onto two wheels was truly mastered.

Simple pleasures enthralling a small young boy with a sense of adventure – what special memories for me.”

Joel Phillips – Lakewood, CO

“I’ll never forget that Saturday morning in April of 1972, the day I was given my first NEW bicycle. My dad woke me earlier than normal, which was a-ok with me because that usually meant I was in for some kind of adventure.  What would it be today?  A day spent fishing the beaver dams and streams west of town, or prospecting around abandoned mine sites in the Snowy Range Mountains? Whatever it may be, I was quick to get ready.  I stood and watched my dad as he lumbered to raise the heavy wooden garage door.  The high pitched squeak of metal on metal gave way to the resonating twang of a giant spring being sprung as the door disappeared into the darkness of rafters filling the space with sunlight.  Then I saw it, leaning against the workbench. A large brown cardboard box with the bold letters “ANOTHER BRAND NEW BICYCLE” blazoned across its width.

Wow!! My very own brand new bicycle, an early birthday present that vaulted me into the ranks of the mobile.  Freedom abound.  Where would I go first?  A round trip to the corner drug store seemed viable, maybe my buddy Jack’s house. My mind was a wildfire of destination ideas.  First, before any journey, some assembly was required, and to an over-excited soon-to-be five year old boy, putting on the pedals, handlebars and seat would take an eternity.  As patiently as I could, I filled my role stripping off protective masking tape, unwrapping plastic, toting trash to the cans. Unglamorous but important work.  A couple of times I may have tried to take plastic bags still containing reflectors or those screw caps that looked like cocktail tables for my sister’s Barbie dolls. Only to be halted by a stern “Not yet!”  Finally!  The time was at hand. After one final check of the tire pressure I was ready to roll.  The awkwardness of learning to ride with training-wheels, begging my sister to share riding time on her bike, the wishing, the hoping all were about to be memories. I was the proud owner of a brand new bike.”

Read more about Joel’s love for the bike at www.reasons2ride.com.

David Ruggero – Melbourne, Australia

“When i was a boy, i rode to get out of the house, out from under the roof and away from the walls.  When i was older, i started to ride again because i could and i loved it.  I was finally out of hospital, away from physios and doctors, more importantly, no more wheelchairs for me. i had found the one thing that i could do with no help from others.

Then one day we met. oh let me tell you, there is nothing like the look of an Italian, her shape, the way she moves. i was and am in love. forever will we be toghether open roads, morning training even to the shop for milk we are one.”

Jase Rodley – Whistler, BC

“Since the snow has melted, life is all about the bikes.

Before the Whistler Bike Park opened, it was evenings at the pump track after work or exploring the cross country trails as they slowly began to appear from underneath the snow.

Building my new downhill bike came down to the wire a lot more than I thought it would. I finished building it at 8:45am the morning of the Whistler Bike Park opening! After doing laps for the last few weeks my hands are now sufficiently abused, begging for a day off which I finally have.

Life is about bikes again now that the snow is gone, just how I like it!”

Watch for a guest post from Jase on Loving the Bike next week, and also check him out at www.ridemorebikes.com.