Professor and former WQAD-TV reporter Alan Sivell is biking RAGBRAI and blogging for LMQC about it this year. Follow his adventure right here … and tell him what you think, too!
Pedaling mile after mile this summer as I train for RAGBRAI, I’ve had lots of time to think about our relationship with bikes.
I remember the time I first pedaled away from my parents under my own power. Ah, freedom. It was exhilarating.
My first bike was a tiny 12-incher that had no coast function. When you were up to speed and wanted to stop pedaling for a bit, you had to take your feet off the ever-spinning pedals and stick them out to the sides. There were no brakes.
The bike was just a wee bit dangerous, but functional. However, it wasn’t as fun as the later models.
Take the baby blue model that started with my older sister who passed it to my older brother who passed it to me.
I was thrilled to have it … until I started riding it to school and was informed by the 6th grade boys that it was a girl’s bike.
Funny how those things matter when you are in 3rd grade.
I eventually saved up money for a 3-speed Raleigh. It had gigantic metal baskets on either side of the back wheel to hold the 60 newspapers I delivered every day. Even without the papers, the baskets probably added 20 pounds to the ride.
I still love the freedom of pedaling away from home, the grid, the noise and the responsibilities. I love to go as far as I can power myself. It gives me a small taste of the adventure I experienced in my youth every time I ride.
Do you remember your first bike? Your first taste of bike freedom? Share it here or email me. I want to hear all about it!
July 15, 2015 at 9:55 am
My first bike was a fire-engine red 20 inch. I remember taking the training wheels off myself, and learning to ride without them on my neighbor’s long driveway. Back in 1958, when I was 7 years old, my parents let me ride alone to visit my friends on nearby streets — what freedom! We lived in Elmwood, Ct., and there were many streets I could ride without crossing any major thoroughfare. I did try to ride down a steep hill no-hands once, and hit the side of a car that had not stopped behind the stoplight of a crossing street. I flew completely over the hood of the car and landed on the grass on the far side. I had no injuries, and that tank of a bike was just fine. How I loved that bike!!
Alan, you might remember me riding down Beverly road with my barefoot resting on one of the front fender supports of my Raleigh bike (4th grade?) — until my right foot slipped into the spokes and was caught by the fork, stopping my front wheel. I hurtled over that bars onto the street. My foot hurt, or course, but I only had some scrapes. Oh, to have that much rebound!
July 15, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Love this, but an finding that I love cycling a little more each uear, so I am not too nostalgic
I am told I should have my knee replaced. I ride 3-5 thousand miles per year, so am told it would only last a few years. Think I’ll live with the pain as long as possible before under going any surgury.
We live in such a beautiful place that even my daily commute is remarkable. Friends from all over comment on the photo.’s I take along the river. I’very tried driving and enjoying. such tjings, but you really can’t.
July 16, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Lawrence, I do remember the incident at the top of Beverly Road! Luckily I was ahead of you and didn’t have to witness it. I did HEAR it, though.
July 16, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Mark, you are right about the beauty. Every time I am on the river, I feel compelled to stop and take pictures. The trains, the barges, the river and the vegetation. You’re right about driving vs biking. It’s harder to see going 40-60 mph vs 10-15. Good luck with those knees. (BTW, who told you that you’d wear out your knees biking? Was it a DR.? I hadn’t heard that).