Original Post April 15, 2011
Every now and then you need to do something just for yourself, something that makes you happy no matter what anyone else thinks. This week I did just that. I embraced my inner child and bought myself a bike. Oh, not just any bike mind you, THE bike! The one I have wanted for years and, for one reason or another, never got. I got myself a three wheeled bike. That’s right, complete with basket, mirror and yes, even a horn. I went all out with this baby, even the horn is special. It is not one of those little, wimpy ding ding bells, this is a very loud aooogah horn. I figured that the only time I would actually need a horn is if some crazy dog was coming after me so I wanted one to scare it enough that it would turn and run back where it came from.
I searched the websites and read all of the reviews, most of which were from senior citizens who had no trouble peddling the contraption. I figured heck, if a ninety year old can ride this thing so can I. So, knowing what I was looking for, I went to the local bike shop and picked her out. She is a beauty; fire engine red with silver trim. I figured she had to have a name so I chose Lucille. She is red and she is fun, so the name seems to fit just right.
One thing you must be careful with in riding a three wheeled bike is to be careful taking corners. You cannot just say, “hey I think I’ll turn here,” no, you have to prepare and take it slow. Having a wreck on a bike is one thing, having a wreck on a three wheeled bike, well; I cannot imagine the humiliation of something like that. That would be as bad as the time I wrecked my exercise bike. Okay, I know you are not going to let me get away without expounding on that one. In my defense it was not my fault. I had purchased an exercise bike, to lose weight, while Don was away. It was a simple bike, no fancy moving handlebars or computer to tell you how far you had ridden. No, this bike was only made for peddling. My neighbor had put it together for me and I road it every day in my bedroom while the kids where napping or watching their favorite show. Since I did not have a reason to hold onto the handlebars I usually chose not to. I simply crossed my arms and moved my legs. Therein is where things went terribly wrong. Apparently when my neighbor put the bike together he did not tighten the seat properly so in the midst of my ride the seat fell off sending me backwards as well. I hit my head on three shelves of a book case on the way down before landing; head first, onto the tile floor. A trip to the emergency room showed severe whiplash but the doctors stated I was lucky to be alive. He also wrote it on the chalk board. I guess the doctors had an on-going contest of strangest cases. The funny thing is, I ended up topping that sometime later, after having a cast iron ship fall on my head…
Anyway, I have also had another bike wreck; this one on a regular bike and, while less memorable, was certainly no less painful. I am sure you can see why a three wheeled bike may be the safest bike for me. It certainly beats the alternative. Besides I do not think they make training wheels that big.
Riding a three wheeled bike is actually a lot of fun. I think one has more confidence while riding one as you don’t have to constantly wonder if you are going to wreck or fall over. I also find myself able to relax enough to do some writing in my head while out riding. For me, that is always a plus.
I can tell you that people notice you when you ride a tricycle. Now maybe they are wondering why I am riding my grandma’s bike but they do tend to turn, look, and wave.
Kids like a three wheeled bike as well. I have had a number of kids tell me my bike was “cool”. My favorite was this past weekend when I was tooling around the neighborhood and passed a little boy who looked to be around four who was walking with his dad. As I passed I heard him say to his dad, “Wow dad, when I get big I want a bike just like that!” I would have loved to have seen the expression on his dads face when he said that.
Who knows, maybe someday that little boy will get in touch with his inner child and buy his own three wheeled bike. Or better yet, maybe he will buy one for his dad when he is old enough to ride one.
Every now and then you need to do something just for yourself, something that makes you happy no matter what anyone else thinks. This week I did just that. I embraced my inner child and bought myself a bike. Oh, not just any bike mind you, THE bike! The one I have wanted for years and, for one reason or another, never got. I got myself a three wheeled bike. That’s right, complete with basket, mirror and yes, even a horn. I went all out with this baby, even the horn is special. It is not one of those little, wimpy ding ding bells, this is a very loud aooogah horn. I figured that the only time I would actually need a horn is if some crazy dog was coming after me so I wanted one to scare it enough that it would turn and run back where it came from.
I searched the websites and read all of the reviews, most of which were from senior citizens who had no trouble peddling the contraption. I figured heck, if a ninety year old can ride this thing so can I. So, knowing what I was looking for, I went to the local bike shop and picked her out. She is a beauty; fire engine red with silver trim. I figured she had to have a name so I chose Lucille. She is red and she is fun, so the name seems to fit just right.
One thing you must be careful with in riding a three wheeled bike is to be careful taking corners. You cannot just say, “hey I think I’ll turn here,” no, you have to prepare and take it slow. Having a wreck on a bike is one thing, having a wreck on a three wheeled bike, well; I cannot imagine the humiliation of something like that. That would be as bad as the time I wrecked my exercise bike. Okay, I know you are not going to let me get away without expounding on that one. In my defense it was not my fault. I had purchased an exercise bike, to lose weight, while Don was away. It was a simple bike, no fancy moving handlebars or computer to tell you how far you had ridden. No, this bike was only made for peddling. My neighbor had put it together for me and I road it every day in my bedroom while the kids where napping or watching their favorite show. Since I did not have a reason to hold onto the handlebars I usually chose not to. I simply crossed my arms and moved my legs. Therein is where things went terribly wrong. Apparently when my neighbor put the bike together he did not tighten the seat properly so in the midst of my ride the seat fell off sending me backwards as well. I hit my head on three shelves of a book case on the way down before landing; head first, onto the tile floor. A trip to the emergency room showed severe whiplash but the doctors stated I was lucky to be alive. He also wrote it on the chalk board. I guess the doctors had an on-going contest of strangest cases. The funny thing is, I ended up topping that sometime later, after having a cast iron ship fall on my head…
Anyway, I have also had another bike wreck; this one on a regular bike and, while less memorable, was certainly no less painful. I am sure you can see why a three wheeled bike may be the safest bike for me. It certainly beats the alternative. Besides I do not think they make training wheels that big.
Riding a three wheeled bike is actually a lot of fun. I think one has more confidence while riding one as you don’t have to constantly wonder if you are going to wreck or fall over. I also find myself able to relax enough to do some writing in my head while out riding. For me, that is always a plus.
I can tell you that people notice you when you ride a tricycle. Now maybe they are wondering why I am riding my grandma’s bike but they do tend to turn, look, and wave.
Kids like a three wheeled bike as well. I have had a number of kids tell me my bike was “cool”. My favorite was this past weekend when I was tooling around the neighborhood and passed a little boy who looked to be around four who was walking with his dad. As I passed I heard him say to his dad, “Wow dad, when I get big I want a bike just like that!” I would have loved to have seen the expression on his dads face when he said that.
Who knows, maybe someday that little boy will get in touch with his inner child and buy his own three wheeled bike. Or better yet, maybe he will buy one for his dad when he is old enough to ride one.
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