I shouldn’t
have sold it. I wanted it back so bad, but it was too late and now I had to
watch someone else enjoy it.
It was my
favorite bike.
A couple
years ago I had gotten this bike from a bike shop in Berkeley. I wasn’t even
really looking for a bike at the time but something about this bike caught my
eye and I was immediately captivated. I had to have it. The bike wasn’t brand
new and it had seen its fair share of abuse and road wear. The brakes were a
little squeaky making it a bit unsure of itself and every now and then the bike
would wobble and become unsteady. It didn’t matter to me because I knew that
with a little tender loving care this bike could really shine. I loved that
bike, and I tried to give it everything it needed. Me and the bike weren’t
perfect but when we went out on the town zipping in and out of traffic cutting
through the wind we were perfect.
Then things
started to go downhill.
The bike
started falling apart. It could no longer ride straight and true like it used
to. The wheels felt loose and the gears grinded as it struggled to make it up
hills. I tried to oil it and patch the holes in the tires as best I could, but
no matter what I tried nothing worked.
The bike was
breaking and I couldn’t fix it.
I felt
utterly powerless. I still tried to take it out but the chain repeatedly got
caught in my pants and ruined them. The bike would stop suddenly and send me
careening over the handle bars into the bushes. It came to a point where the
bike was causing more harm than help. Regrettably I had no choice but to let
the bike go.
So I moved
away.
The bike
stayed where I had left it and it broke my heart to know that I wouldn’t be
taking it out anymore. We would no longer cruise about town with the wind
cutting through us; we would no longer be the envy of the other bicyclists.
Every now and again I would look up the bike just to see how it was doing
without me. It had still not been ridden and was slowly breaking down more. The
tires were completely flat and the chain dry and rusty. I wanted to go back for
the bike so bad, but I knew I couldn’t.
Eventually
the bike started doing better. It shined itself back up and moved to a new area
full of sunshine and mountains perfect for more adventures and other riders
eager to take the bike out for a spin.
I am happy
for the bike but I still regret ever letting it go. I loved it, and even though
it wasn’t perfect I thought it was the best darn bike in the world. I still
look at old pictures of me and the bike, whipping about town—Starbucks trips
and college adventures.
Oh how I
loved that bike.
For now I am
bike-less, and rely on my feet and my car to get me to places. I know even if I
find another bike it still won’t compare to THAT bike.
Maybe one
the bike and I will be re-united and have new adventures cruising about in a
new town with a new wind cutting through our bodies.
I hope its
soon…
