Chew the Fat: Adventures in Biking!

 

 Redartz:  As we prepare to undertake another week's discussion, once again some thank you credits are due. In this case, the kudos go to HB, for prompting the idea for this topic in a recent comment. Well done, sir; it sure helps to have so many sources for inspiration when it comes to ideas for a post! And now, onward...

In the past, we've discussed bikes, and we've discussed road trips. But we haven't discussed that mainstay  of kid gang movies, the bike trip. Think of "The Sandlot", "It", "Stranger Things"; what is one thing they have in common? The group of friends and their faithful two-wheeled steeds. Even "E.T." had Elliot and crew riding in style (in the sky, actually).

I'd bet  a cold Dr. Pepper that most every one of us had some similar experiences, cruising the streets and trails on our Shwinn's and Huffy's in search of adventure, comics, or bottles to cash in. So now we get to revisit those heady days of speed, comradeship, and the occasional mean, chasing dog..

My adventuring days began once my parents finally lifted my range restrictions. For seeming eons, I was limited to riding from one end our our (rather lengthy) suburban street to the  other end. But when they released me to the streets, I was off. My friends and I would ride to the drug store (for the obvious usuals: comics, baseball cards, candy bars or a Coke). We'd  ride from one kid's house to another to another. We'd ride to school every now and then, passing on the normal daily bus ride. 

In our neighborhood we had access to a great patch of woods along a river, winding to a gravel pit in one direction and downtown in the other. We would drag our bikes down to that trail along the river and ride over roots and rocks. 

Our trail (on foot here, but you get the idea)

And this was years before anyone heard about 'mountain bikes'. It was especially cool to ride towards downtown, as you'd pass by a city park along the river; a perfect place to park the bikes for a rest and go hit the swings. It was even better if you'd packed a lunch ; that made for an epic summer afternoon. lying by the river, watching the sun glisten off the ripples (and off your shiny handlebars), enjoying the breeze, and 'shooting the breeze' with your pals. 

 

My longest ride was with a good friend who lived in the next town. One Saturday morning we took off riding (his Dad was kind enough to cram my bike in their trunk when he picked me up for an overnight visit). We rode out of town, out into the country, and down one County road after another; just exploring, talking, and following nothing in particular. Eventually we made our way back into town, but only after my little mileage meter showed about 25 miles had expired. Looking back, I realize that there's really no better way to wander than on two wheels. Fast enough to actually get somewhere, but slow enough that you genuinely see your surroundings, feel the roadway and the grass, hear the birds. A road trip in a car takes you much farther, but keeps you insulated from that whole world out there. 

But enough mental meanderings from me. What tales do you have of a bike, a buddy and a bit of road?

  

Short Cuts: "I Love to Ride My Bicycle..."

Redartz:  One thing we all had in common, back in the Bronze Age, was our form of transportation. As kids, and frequently as college students, a bicycle was the cheapest, easiest, and (in my opinion) the most fun means to get from place to place. These two-wheeled wonders were, and are, great exercise and good for the environment. No fuel required, except some generous leg power. And for some of us, that bike in the garage became a close friend (think of Ben Hanscomb's bike "Silver" in the Steven King book "It"). In my case, the bike was almost an extension of my body, especially during the summer months. 

In my pre-teen years, this cherry-red beauty was my steed. Very much like a Schwinn Stingray, but not a Shwinn ( I think it was a Huffy).Only one speed, but a hand brake, banana seat and slick rear tire. I loved that bike (and boy, could it pop a wheelie!).









 

A few years later, in high school and college, a Schwinn 10-speed Continental much like this one was my ride. It got me back and forth across town, to school and back, to driver's education class, down many country roads, and of course to the comic shop. Unfortunately it was stolen, a fate that befell more than one bike in my former possession (still hard to figure how they cut the heavy chain lock when I had parked it in the bike rack outside the local library). For many years after, it was a car or walking. But after parenthood hit, the call of the two-wheeler summoned me once again. I still ride, although not nearly enough...



What got you around town? Do you still ride? Ever ride in a bike-a-thon or race? Were you unfortunate enough to have suffered a crack-up or two (I did, but only needed stitches once)? Share your cycling stories today!