Bicycles Built for Two

We spent the morning at the local bike shop because the kids got their first bicycles today, a birthday present from Gommie and Pop. After measuring, discussing, consulting with the cycling expert at the shop, we selected a pink bike with white tires (and a little purse/basket) for Sis and a blue bike with black tires (and also hand brakes) for Bud. Plus two new helmets (unfortunately, the new novelty helmets with rabbit ears and shark teeth weren't really protecting against front impacts, the main source of bicycle injury), also pinkish and blue-ish. Of course.

Along with our purchase, we got a little "Zen and the Art of Bicycling," some philosophical advice on life. A helmet is very important to save your life but elbow and knee pads incubate you from life's lessons--it's important to skin your knees and get right back up on the saddle seat. He was wonderful, spending a lot of time with us as his shop got busier and busier.

Sis and Bud waited as patiently as they could, considering how excited and proud they were. The nice bike shopped rushed the construction of the pink bike so Sis didn't have to wait all day or even til tomorrow; we were grateful, especially because Bud's bike was ready. Soon they had those shiny new bikes and were riding up and down the sidewalk with Gommie and Pop, testing those wobbly training wheels on their new two-wheelers. You could see the concentration and effort on their faces as they seriously rode up and down. At home, they rode back and forth, trying turns and stops (both also have coaster brakes). Sis was speedy--I think she loves speed, on her tricycle, her scooter, and now her bicycle. There was one small flip but Bud got right back up on his bicycle, ignoring his skinned knee. Just like we hoped he would.

During the whole morning, we reminisced about our own bikes. Pop had hand-me-downs from his siblings, repainted for him, only getting his own new bike when I was probably about 10. I remember our going with him to the bike shop to get the big new blue bicycle and then he shocked me by riding it all the way home, down the backroads of the various neighborhoods. I think he had a wonderful time. I believe my first bike came for Christmas and, it being warm enough with no ice or snow, I rode it up and down our cul-de-sac so happy about the plastic white-woven basket with three big flowers and not minding the training wheels at all. I was probably about 6 or 7, can't be sure. I had a different bike, a blue Schwinn, with huge book basket rack on the back, that I rode to school from 5-9th grades (with Gommie following me the first time or two so I didn't get lost). Mama remembered especially the adult bike she bought in

Chicago, from the dyke-owned shop. She rode a lot around the city those first few years, excited by the freedom. She went back to the shop several times, enjoying the atmosphere and buying accessories. I think she was nostalgic for those days, and for the days riding through the parks of Queens with her dad, and hopes we become a biking family. I actually have an adult bike, purchased at the same shop several years ago but left unused because I found riding hard--after three years of physical therapy and learning about my body, I know why now it was challenging and why it will be hard to take up again. But I can participate in family rides in other ways and think it would be great fun for us all. I hope the kids remember today and subsequent bicycle days with the same happiness and fondness.

Happy Birthday, Sis and Bud!