Bicycle Day

Ready to ride. 9/2/2013 dwm

 In 2018, the United Nations declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day, recognizing "the uniqueness, longevity, and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and is simple, affordable, reliable, clean, and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport."

 

 I've written about my first bike before; it was out by the side of the road, free for the taking, and my grandfather decided it was just what I needed.

 

 My recollection is that it was old and rusty, but it was mine. My dad put training wheels on the bike so I could ride down the block to see my friend. I don't remember when the training wheels came off but when they did, I realized a sense of freedom and power as far as being able to go where I wanted, as long as mom said OK.

 

The old Traveler. 9/15/2012 dwm

The next Christmas, there was a red Schwinn Stingray under the tree. That bike was a freedom machine as my friend and I rode around the east side of Janesville following the official city bike routes. There were days we rode as much as 20 miles!

 

After the Stingray, I had two three-speed bikes. The first was broken in a bike accident on East Milwaukee Street. I didn't notice a cap between a sewer grate and the frame holding it in place and came to a sudden and immediate stop that threw my over the handlebars. The frame broke apart and that was it.

It's replacement was another three-speed and it was fine for rides around town but I wanted a bike that would look cool and go fast.

 

It was my junior year of high school when mom and dad bought me a Schwinn Traveler from Haack's Bicycle Shop. I still have it and ride it on occasion. The Traveler was my ride the time my best friend and I rode from Janesville to Broadhead then up to New Glarus on the Sugar River State Trail then returned to Broadhead when we realized it was too late to ride the rest of the way home. Dad came and rescued the two of us and our bikes.

 

My main ride since 2016. 3/12/2016 dwm

 The Traveler was the mode of transportation for another long ride my friend and I took, riding from Janesville to Old World Wisconsin, where we stayed at a motel, then rode back the next day. 

 

 The bike went with me to college where I frequently rode it to work, but I didn't take many long rides, in fact after finishing college I did very little riding until I got back on the bike when I was 38. It was great to be back on the bike but I couldn't sit in the saddle very long and was in a lot of pain if I went more than  40 miles.

 

 The answer was getting a recumbent and I bought my first in 2003 from the Hostel Shoppe in Steven's Point and rode it in the GReat Annual Bicycle Adventure Along the Wisconsin River (GRABAAWR) from Eagle River to Prairie du Chien. The recumbent seat saved mine and I've been pain-free ever since. (The first recumbent was a Rans Rocket, top left photo. I replaced it in 2016 with a Volae which at that time was made by the Hostel Shoppe.)

Since we moved to Madison, I've seen many people that rely on their bike to get everywhere and in all kinds of weather. These days my biking is for exercise and recreation. I appreciate the freedom it provides and the perspective you get moving through areas slower than on the highway. 

Bikes are not cheap, but when they are kept clean and maintained they are a reliable way to get around town and with additional accessories another way to travel long distances at your own pace. However you like to ride, keep riding, Happy Bicycle Day!