This is My Bike
by Jen
I like it. I have a lot of bikes. But this one is special for so many reasons. And it makes me think of what makes something, or someone, special. This bike has covered so much ground with me.
I bought it for $20 when I lived in the basement of (and ran) this inn:
See that tiny, verticed window to the right of the stairs? That was my room. I rode this bike up to that window, coasted to a stop, parked it behind that bush, and climbed through onto my first-ever double bed. Heaven.
Then my bike and I traveled to this inn, where I did their flowers. They didn’t like water drops on their vases. That made me smirk as I walked my arrangements up the flights of stairs, in flip flops, sloshing water onto the vases, and into the suites.
Can you tell what I like to do? Other than sleeping in beds bigger than me and spilling water in unlawful places? I like inns. I like how they facilitate rest and fun and people. And my bike always took me to one.
At this point in my life, I so appreciate the directness of purpose—and the agency to get you there.
Morgan recently wrote about her life purpose. I think this bike is a facilitator in finding that. I really do. It’s mobility and simplicity rolled onto two wheels. It has one gear and coaster brakes. No decisions to be made. It is embodied straightforwardness that takes you, standing, face into the wind, from where you are to where you ought to be. I’m dedicating it to the playhouse. Take it for a spin. I double dare you. Stand up on the pedals, close your eyes, where are you headed?
I ride every morning to this song. It makes me think of you all, and this place.
Oh wow…I know that this is supposed to be about your bike, but you ran the topmost inn? Such a creative place…a chance to meditate in the grounds, a chance to see interesting rooms that only employees see and, of course, a chance to meet new people on a weekly basis–each with their own story.
As I close my eyes on my bicycle, I go to the past. I have a few childhood bike stories. One is there was a girl around my age (9 years old) who lived in my building. I used to let her ride my bike all the time. Before you comment about how nice I was, I had an ulterior motive. I liked her older sister, and they were always together, so it was a good way to talk to the older one alone…too bad I was too young to make such an opportunity go anywhere.
I can see the spokes of the wheels turn to the beat of the song you posted, with the scenery passing by and the seat bouncing up and down on a less than perfectly maintained road. A well chosen bike-riding song.
P.S.: I could not only ride with no hands, but I could steer my bike, just by turning my body…can you?
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Missive Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Aaron,
It hurts my pride to admit this, but I have NEVER been able to ride with no hands. I was the only one out of the eight girls we rode with as children who couldn’t. I was also the only one who couldn’t do a cartwheel, as long as I’m confessing. Ya think you could teach me? Never too late. That’s my motto.
Nothing like young love, either. I had a huge crush on a boy at summer camp one year who kept riding his bike into the back of mine. I loved it. Crazy kids.
Jen
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Here I am on the bike!
Thank you for donating it to the playhouse my dear Jen. I’ve been asking my husband for a bike all my own since we moved to Kentucky, but no luck yet. I so miss the wind on my cheeks– and I do mean plural cheekS because I like to where a skirt when I ride
I believe you have or are gonna discover that life purpose while riding to a magical Inn.
P.S. Listening to that song for the 3 time in a row. Love the neighborhood mix your makin’!
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Missive Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Morgan,
Skirt riding rocks. Agreed. Boys don’t know what they’re missing! That whole Arcade Fire album is awesome. I think you’d love it. And I loved your purpose post. As always, inspired.
J
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Jen,
I share your secret shame. I too am a non-handsfree rider. I don’t know if its just the way I ride, but within a few pedals, I’m off in a random direction.
Can we get funding for a support group, or better yet some kind of autopilot development grant?
JB
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Missive Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
John,
I’m on it.
Jen
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I was totally expecting “I want to ride my bicycle” by Queen. I love that grooveshark has tagged it just as “canadian”. Canadian? Well, that tells me all I need to know. I suppose its better than just “song”.
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I never knew my useless talents such as gum-blowing and hands-free riding would ever be in demand. But then again, we are in Alice’s world so the usual rules don’t apply.
If the laws of physics are the same here, the key is make sure you are going the correct speed. If you go too slow, there’s not enough momentum to keep you going forward in a straight line. If you are going too fast, then you’ll have disastrous results if you hit a groove in the road or a wayward stone. You want to pedal an average cruising speed.
You’ll have to take it in baby steps. First, you want to make sure your riding a bike that has dependable steering. If your front wheel wobbles like a Bargain Harold’s shopping cart then you will fail right from the start. Also this is not a trick to do when cars are around you…even when you become an expert.
To begin, find a flat stretch of pavement that you are familiar with that’s free from debris. Pedal until you are at a comfortable speed. Keep your back straight, stop pedalling and loosen your grip on the handlebars without letting go completely. Feel how the bike continues to go in a straight line, even though you are no longer controlling it. If it’s not going straight at this point, then experiment to find the best speed for you. Do this a few times, to gain confidence.
Level two is to do it with your hands, palms down, hovering an inch above your handlebars. The key is make sure you keep your back straight, your head upright and your eyes on the road. Repeat this a few more times, until your ready.
Level three is the same as level two, except you are going to add a new variable: pedalling. Be ready to catch the bars, because the bike might veer at this point. Try to maintain a steady speed; peddling and coasting.
Level four is just a matter of being confident enough to not have your hands so close to the bars. You can either dangle them at your sides or have them on your lap. Now you LOOK cool.
Level five is the hardest to teach without actually being there to help you. When you steer, hands free, you need to basically twist your body in such a way to “will” the bike to go in a certain direction (the direction you face is the direction you should go), without overdoing it and skidding out of control. Anticipation and subtle movements work best. If you can do this, you ARE cool.
Bon Chance,
Aaron
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Missive Reply:
July 16th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Aaron,
In all seriousness, I’m thrilled that you wrote this. You should know, at this site, if you leave instructions with a challenge, it will be done. Plan on video footage to follow.
Thrilled,
Jen
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Jen,
I love your bike! It makes me want to drag mine out of the garage, blow the much accumulated dust off and go for a spin! My favorite adventures where riding my pink banana seat bike as a kid. It had great streamers from the handles, a basket up front and the bright colored “noise makers” on the spokes! Oh how my inner Alice would love to get on that bike again!
Thanks for sharing your bike with us, our clubhouse just keeps getting better and better!
Jenn
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Missive Reply:
July 16th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Jenn,
Was the banana seat pink, or the bike? Mine was yellow, banana seat and bike. And my sisters and I put Smurf scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers on all our seats. Anyway, I remember that one of my stickers actually smelled like bananas!
When I bought the bike in this post, I was 21. I bought Madeline stickers and stuck them all over the seat. Often, I’d be in the middle of a raucous night at a pub or on a date, and someone would point out that I had one of them stuck to my bottom. Good times.
I’m jealous that you had a basket. A girl rode by me this morning with one and it had an italian loaf in it. I thought, that’s it, I need a basket!
My latest challenge. Get basket on bike!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane,
Jen
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My bike was pink, the seat was white with a rainbow on it
. I think as adults baskets are just as necessary as for kids. Now we put things like fresh bread in them, back then I toted my popples along with me 
.
Jenn
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You bought that bike for $20? Is that the common price or lower price? Hard to find bikes sold at that price in my city.
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