JeffGothro
Dirt Disciple
Ok, I was quoting the Grateful Dead in my title. Anyway, it was 37 years ago this very day I got my first bike, and been riding ever since. And I have to say, its been more of an adventure than a strange trip.
37 Years ago today...What a long strange trip it's been.
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Agency_Scum
Retrobike Rider
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Nice one mate. I first learnt to ride " two wheels " about 41 years ago. The sheer thrill of balancing on 2 wheels as I rode round and round the same circuit of streets....each time clipping the edge of a neighbour's wall with my forearm and cutting it.
Hugely excited as I raced home to announce I could finally ride a " proper " bike as grown-ups screamed in terror as I was covered in blood. " Never mind that....didn't you hear me? I CAN RIDE A BIKE!! "
Hugely excited as I raced home to announce I could finally ride a " proper " bike as grown-ups screamed in terror as I was covered in blood. " Never mind that....didn't you hear me? I CAN RIDE A BIKE!! "
JeffGothro
Dirt Disciple
Sorry, no photos, if there are my parents have them. And I actually started out on 3 wheels [tricycle] (before I got a bike), then 4 wheels on my bike (if you count the training wheels). It wasnt long before the training wheels came off.
incorrigible
Senior Retro Guru
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JeffGothro":1xonbka5 said:
It must have been a significant day if you remember the exact day, so I'm guessing birthday wishes are in order. Happy Birthday, JeffGothro!
Although I don't remember the exact day that I got my first bike, I remember the day I first rode on 2 wheels like it was yesterday. Like most, I started out on a tricycle, then on to a “big boy” bike with 2 wheels and training wheels. Then one day, about 46 years ago, my dad said that it’s time to ride without training wheels.
He told me that we’d do a few trial runs first where he would hold on to the seat. He said to look straight ahead and concentrate, and he assured me that he would walk along right next to me as I pedaled and that he wouldn’t let go of the seat. I looked straight ahead and began pedaling. “How’m I doing, dad?” I asked. “OK, son” he replied, his voice right next to me. Still pedaling, and a few moments later, I asked again “How’m I doing, dad?” “OK, son” he replied again, his voice still right up next to me. I kept pedaling some more and a few moments later, I asked him once again, but at first there was a pause, and then “OK, son”, was his reply, this time about 25 feet behind me. He totally fooled me, and suddenly I was confident knowing that I could ride by myself.
Within a year or so I can remember at least a couple of times that I wiped out badly enough on the pavement that a neighbor took me into their house and cleaned me up because I was so bloody. It was the mid-1960’s; there were no pads or helmets back then. The only requirements to ride were blood ‘n’ guts and a hard head.
A few years after that I was riding wheelies all the way down the block. Good times!
