As a volunteer for the DuPage County Forest Preserve, I ride the Trails on my bike patrolling some of the miles and miles of wonderful trails. This morning on Bike Patrol with another volunteer, our conversation touched on our memories of
riding bikes when we were youngsters each relating some of our experiences on our first bike. It really added to the pleasure, on a beautiful morning that was already full of sunshine.
Few of us forget our childhood bike. Whatever the bike, brand new or “hand-me-down” that bike brought us pure joy and our first taste of freedom. Lately I have observed that love affair with our bike being rekindled. I am seeing more “retro bikes”, and old fashioned commuter bikes, I’m seeing bikes that you can ride sitting upright with sleek frames and wide handlebars. This combination of utility, beauty, and efficiency inspires our nostalgia. And these bikes are fun to ride!
Many are restored bikes from the basement, or garage. Many are bikes that have been customized. Others are brand new bikes. This statement indicates that the bike manufacturers are realizing that not every cyclists wants to be involved in a criterium bike race or a triathlon, and does not want to ride down the side of a mountain or across the fields and down the creekbed. . We can get a lot of people Back on the Bike if we have a bike made for just riding around the neighborhood, a casual ride through the Forest Preserve or down the Prairie Path. I for one am really glad to see this happening.!