Those Old Feelings
I grew up in a small town. Summers were spent on a purple Schwinn Stingray, riding back roads and trails woven across open farmland. We’d take off in the morning with no particular goal in mind other than to find an adventure and stir up a little excitement (aka trouble). The only order was to show up for lunch and dinner; whatever happened in-between was our business. Such freedom! In retrospect, each of those summer days felt as if they were a week long.
There’s nothing like riding a bike that so quickly and completely transports me back to those carefee (and car-free) days. Many times I’ll be cruising along and suddenly find myself relaxing into those old feelings of freedom and wanderlust. Sometimes the mood will be triggered by the smell of dry grass along the trailside, or perhaps a certain angle of light and shadow coming across the road on a warm summer evening. Whatever it is that conjures up those memories, it only happens when I’m on a bicycle. What a special gift it is that a simple bike ride can so completely take one away from the workaday world and provide such powerful refreshment and sustenance.
15 Responses to “Those Old Feelings”
My kid brother had a Sears Spyder, a Stingray knock-off when he was about 10.
http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/my-brothers-abused-sears-spyder-bicycle/
and
http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/spyders-and-velodrome-bike-racing/
I ran across it after it had been under the Mississippi River in the 1973 and 1993 100-year floods.
I hauled it from MO to FL, intending on restoring it as a surprise present. When I found out how much it was going to cost, I decided that you can love your brother only so much.
This spring, a guy who read the piece above contacted a guy who knew a guy who had a near cherry Spyder in KY. I picked it up on my way back home. I haven’t posted that story yet, but I’ll let you know when I do.
I have photos of my two brothers and my grandson with their bikes, but I’m striking out finding photos of my old Schwinn magic carpet.
I find myself often riding the same roads I rode as a kid. First on a stingray/schwinn, then on a zebra-kenko 10speed that my dad hadn’t been using, and then on a variety of bikes that I kept in operating form (usually by scrapping whatever broke). I’ve had a lot of those same recollections lately, Alan. I can say that I ride more for fitness than for the escape that it provides, but that would be simplified and largely incorrect. This morning’s loop took me over some roads I hadn’t ridden in over 10 years, and the tug between what had changed and what was still familiar made it very special. Another layer to that onion is that these are roads that I cover by car on a regular basis, and the bike made it a whole new experience, again.
My first bike was a 1969 Schwinn Stringray – and I rode the wheels off it. I still have a real soft spot for anything Schwinn (well, perhaps not big box Schwinns). I love working on these tough old bikes. There is a club in Portland where you have to ride a Schwinn – they modify old Varsitys etc. into Mega Rays (big kid Stingrays). http://bit.ly/btRvj8 Alan, You really need one of these – I’ll be right there with you : – )
Alan, You are absolutely right! You foundd the right words for these nice memories and thoughts! Supp.
Thanks for posting this.
I have a similar background. With a similar story. And I hope that there are places in America where this still happens.
My mom didn’t have local news anchors and 24-hour cable reminding her of how terrifying the real world is. So, the standing requirement was that I just had to be home for dinner.
Boys need adventures to test themselves, and mature. A bicycle delivers adventure in ways that Xbox and Grand Theft Auto do not – and cannot. The risk averse nature of modern American culture is very hard on boys … even though most of them seem to come out OK.
Nate (SLC)
Recently I attended a wedding up in Livermore. While there for the weekend, I took a detour over to Rivendell. What a magical feeling it was to ride the Betty Foy. I felt like I was on my Schwinn pink Junior Miss with a banana seat, high handle bars and a short sissy bar. I was wear a skirt, sandals and no helmet! I was transported back to Santa Barbara, CA riding around my neighborhood or to the beach without worrying about percent grades, mileage or cadence. This was the first time in a long time that I felt free.
I currently ride a mass produced road racing type bike. It was nice not to kit up, wear cleats and a helmut. The people helping me were patient and friendly. The owner even rode home to let me try out his wife’s bike. It was the most pleasant experience that I’ve ever had at a bike shop. That I got a chance to relive a time when riding was just for fun and independent transportation, that experience was priceless.
My Stingray was a red “69. The rest of my story is just like yours. Thanks Alan!
My “weapon of freedom” was a Schwinn Racer, which had a three-speed IGH, chrome fenders, chrome wheels, sprung saddle, non-dropped handlebars and hand brakes. I know my dad picked it out for one of my birthdays because it was bright red with lots of chrome. Dad always measured the quality of any item by the amount of chrome it had. This bike was a huge leap from the one-speed, coaster-brake bikes I had previously. We’d take off after school, exploring the new university (UCSD) being built on the grounds where a Marine Corps base had been previously. What fantastic open, smooth, and unpopulated concrete, by the acre, to enjoy!
My brother, six years younger, had a Schwinn Stingray, painted gold, banana seat, sissy bar on the back, rear slick tire and a shifter on the top tube.
Yes, I can relate to the feeling of youth, freedom, and few worries.
Bicycling at its best. Those are beautiful moments.
My Stingray was green. I’ve owned many bikes since then, but none that delivered the same sense of oneness between rider and bicycle. You describe the freedom of those days very well, Alan. Thanks for bringing back happy memories.
my first bike was a red Schwinn Scrambler… early 80′s… it was solid as a tank, BMX… i find that only two things transport me back to those early days of freedom… smells and bike riding… and yes together, a transporter not even Scotty can compete with, “beam me up.” but the funny thing is, if i think back… my bike was a sense of freedom because it was car like… i used it as i saw adults using there cars and it gave me a sense of freedom and independence reserved for adults… Now it is 180 degrees the other way… i delight in the freedom from these strictly adult responsibilities/ freedoms, that only my bike can bring… because there is almost nothing free or freeing about an automobile… thanks for that stroll down memory lane…
Exactly. You said it perfectly, and I especially connected with the part about taking off and just showing up at mealtime. There were a group of us, girls and boys, I remember – riding around various neighborhood blocks, down the alleys, stopping here and there, the school playground, following the ice cream truck. Best of times – and best bicycle memories. Thanks for the reminder.
Yesterday I was taking my five year old granddaughter out on her trail-a-bike, and we hit about 25 going down a hill. “It’s like an amusement park!” she said. — Who needs to pay to get a thrill :-)
@grrlyrida
“What a magical feeling it was to ride the Betty Foy.”
Welcome to the fan club!! Now that you’ve ridden one, I’m afraid to say you’re doomed! (in a good way) ;)
My thoughts exaclty.
And as I prepare to commute home, I will be taking the longer scenic route which is always a joy to ride. This post was definitely worth sharing with others. ;)