In the city these days, you won't find a bike left unattended without some huge lock wrapped around it. Of course, bicycles are more specialized, more elaborate and a great deal more expensive too. Out this way, it's fun to see life hasn't changed an awful lot. Bikes are still left littered across country lawns. Left for days where kids spill them. I was forever leaving that silver-fendered JC Higgins scattered about the neighborhood. Heck, I even left it deep in the cemetery one night, after an afternoon of catching frogs at one of its ponds. I located it the next morning but not without some serious backtracking of my yesterday.
Were the spirits at play?
After all, bike riding, for me, was always a spiritual undertaking anyway.
Ohhhhhh yes, bike riding! Nothing better when you're a kid, tooling around with your friends or alone . . .
ReplyDeleteI explored my whole city on my bike when I was a kid and I never even owned a bike lock.
ReplyDeleteWe just returned from a short 3-mile bike ride. It's so hot you've got to get out early. In Ocala, you could leave a bike or other similar item outside without worrying too much, but in south Florida an unattended bike would last about oh ... two or three seconds!
ReplyDeleteThe joy of riding a bike doesn't end with childhood. Bikes are still fun, but you are so right about needing to lock them up. We all have fond memories of our first bike. Mine was a balloon tired Schwin.
ReplyDeleteloved the thought of spirits taking joy rides on your bike for old times' sake. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! I wish I could say the same Birdman, riding miles to school was a nightmare for me, in fact I don't think I've ridden a bike since highschool :)
ReplyDeleteI miss my bike, it has been at least ten years since I last used it!
ReplyDeleteI love the comfort of my bike now but was especially fond of my white wicker basket (adorned with bright plastic flowers and my own name license plate) when I was an elementary student. Thanks for the memory trigger.
ReplyDeleteI never had a lock for my bike as a kid but wouldn't have a bike for long now without a lock or two!
ReplyDeleteNice shot.
ReplyDeleteThat may be due to the culture, the local setting. When I was a kid bikes were transportation, a way to explore places the subway didn't go. Even 50 years ago, we never went around without a chain so thick you'd need a bomb to blow it off.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you live in the Maine version of Brigadoon. Hard to imagine no locks on bikes.
ReplyDeleteBike riding isn't just for kids; good for adults too plus it's fun. Like the shadow of the wheel.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo, lovely story...
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