Two weeks ago I wrote about trains, this week it is bicycles. Could this be a trend?? I am not sure, but I just know that bicycles have been on my mind the past few days.
When I was growing up, everyone had a bicycle. From the time we awoke in the morning, until we went in for the evening, we rode our bikes. I had many types over the years. I started off on a tricycle - green. I am not sure how old I was, but for my birthday one year I received a "big" three wheeler. I loved it. I could hook my doll's pram on the back and took the dog for a wild ride. My first 2-wheeler was blue, complete with banana seat and those tall handlebars - not sure of the proper name. Over time I graduated to an "adult" style bike.
My oldest son, Joshua, rode bikes all the time when he was growing up. Jessica? We haven't been able to convince her that it is a wonderful thing to ride a bike. Samuel? I think he is going to be another bike rider.
My friends and I would walk our bikes up Gawler hill. Walk because it was such a long, long, long hill. The ride down was fantastic, the wind blowing in our faces. We would ride to the library, the park, to school......everywhere. It was such a carefree time. We had so many places to explore. Shaded dirt roads, the stockyards, the cemetery (it was lined with huge trees, great for climbing), our schools were close by and had wonderful playgrounds.
It was the kind of childhood summers that I wish my children could have. Times are different, we live in neighborhoods that aren't set up for that kind of exploration and freedom. If I misbehaved while we were out and about, I could guarantee that my parents would know about it before I walked in the back door. Having 10 uncles and aunts spread throughout the town, I didn't have a chance to cause havoc and mayhem!!
The weather has been fairly cool and nice here in Tampa lately, so I resolve to take better advantage of it and teach my kids - even the big ones, they need reminding every now and then - the joy of the great outdoors and feeling the wind in your face. I don't think I will teach them to go down hills with their hands in the air and their eyes closed. That is something I will keep to myself!!
Sally-Ann
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14 comments:
You really don't see many children on bikes anymore. I am sure this is for numerous reasons but it is still sad. I made it a point to by my daughter a "bicycle" this past christmas.
I loved riding bikes when I was growing up. The neighborhood kids would play pretend as if we were all in cars in our own little town.
We so love to ride our bikes too! Luckily, we live on a non-busy road attached to another non-busy road to enjoy riding around. Sadly, my girls will never be able to venture off alone like I did just because of the times we live in. So sad. I also remember going down hill eyes closed.....sooo much fun! That is about the height of my risk taking! haha!
It is sad that we live in different times and most parents are afraid to let their kids ride too far on their bikes. I remember my first bike I got from Santa and I made my Dad get out in the snow with me and teach me to ride it that day! My girls just don't seem to want to learn to ride theirs.
I got a good laugh out of imagining you giving your dog a wild ride!! LOL
I think you hit it on the head when you said it's a different world now.
Little things like riding a bike and climbing trees are the reasons I sometimes miss living in Utah, but then I think of all the other great things my kids have experienced that they wouldn't otherwise have known.
Maybe if I had continued to ride a bike like I did when I was little I wouldn't be in the poor physical shape I currently am, huh? LOL
i used to ride my bike all over - to friend's houses, to the beach,to the shops... I don't have one anymore but miss that wind in your hair freewheeling!
Sally-Ann, I rode my bike everywhere too! I loved my bike! I had a bright orange banana seat on my bike when I was little. My kids love riding bikes too. We live in the country, so they ride on gravel, but they love it anyway. (The boys wish they could skateboard, but that doesn't work so well on the gravel).
Thanks for sharing your nostalgic post. Makes me miss being a kid (but I am glad I'm grown up now!).
I haven't ridden a bike in years!
We are bike riders ourselves...and we cannot wait for spring to get riding again and feel the wind on our faces. Oh...and the sweetness of youth, going downhill with our eyes closed...I surely wouldn't do it now! Nor, would I tell my kids to try it! :)
Sally Ann it sounds like you were a very carefree child! I am glad you had a fun time growing up and riding your bike everyday.
My childhood was so much fun and I have many fun memories too.
Isn't it fun to walk down memory lane like this? I am glad that Lynnette thought of it.
If you get a chance, visit my blog and read my poem about Motherhood.
Thanks!
Linda
Thank you so much for your comment. I am still fairly new in the blogging community and I'm enjoying getting to know more people.
I agree that riding a bike was a huge part of my childhood. I still bear scars on my knees from falls taken on downhill flights! I've tried riding a bike as an adult and it feels much more dangerous to me than as a child. I'm getting old I suppose.
Love your memories, Sally-Ann! We played "cops and robbers" on our bikes, rode in the street, no helmets, after dark! Yes, I also rode no handed and will keep that a secret from my daughter. See you next week!
this is a lovely post! Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks for visiting my memory and sharing yours. I remember riding my bike around the little town we grew up in and my kids just cant do the same now. I am hoping to get out and do soem biking with the kids this year though.
We just need to get rid of this snow LOL !!!
You got me all excited to bike!!
I have awesome memories of my bike. At home on our ranch in Texas...and visiting my grandmother's in Louisiana.
I usually pretended my bike was a horse.
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