With my bicycle, memories of a lifetime
The cycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine. It’s a machine of precision and poise for convenience of the rider. Most people my age have cycled to school but it isn’t as popular a mode of transport now.
As schoolchildren, we were ambassadors of cycling. One summer vacation in childhood was spent on honing cycling skills. When many a times, I got knocked down, I’d quickly get up to ride again. The first time I rode a cycle, I lay awake all night dreaming about owning my own. I felt exuberant when I was gifted one on the next birthday. I wanted to sleep near it, looking at its alluring and inviting shining tyres and shimmering steel.
Once during my initial days of learning to ride a bicycle, a middle-aged gentleman came in my way and unable to apply the brakes, I shouted: “Uncle ji, please leave the passage, let me go!” The helpless fellow looked in bewilderment as I became a laughing stock among fellow riders.
Commuting by bicycle was an absolutely essential part of my day. Wind blowing in the face, the sprightly motion of my iron steed and the rapid rush gave me a sense of freedom, strength and empowerment. The exercise made my pulse race and heart sing as I overtook other cyclists, chuckling with pride. The friendship and camaraderie with other cyclists was the be all and end all of life.
I felt no bravado in skipping traffic rules yet like all bicycle offenders I too was caught by a policeman for cycling with a faulty bell, which would get stuck at times and just wouldn’t ring. He let me go with a warning to get it rectified. As I mounted and tried, the bell rang out long and loud and the cop smiled.
A bicycle meant simplicity and simplicity meant happiness. With my cycle, I gathered memories of a lifetime.
Riding a bicycle is about getting back to basics. It tends to bring everyone on a common platform in life.
Earlier, cycles used to be simple not fancy like the modern ones that even compete with the auto industry.
Silent, non-polluting, beneficial to health, hassle-free and easy to park; a bicycle is good for the waistline and the wallet. It counters more diseases than any other form of exercise.
The best thing about cycling is that you can breeze through traffic. In this era of racing bikes and cars, it may not be cool to ride a bicycle, but the ‘go green’ trend is catching up. Cycle rallies are being organised to sensitise people about the benefits of cycling to health and the environment. Every time I see an adult riding a bicycle, I feel confident about the beautiful future of mankind. Now in my mellowing years, I feel life is like riding a bicycle, you don’t fall off unless you stop pedaling, so ride as much or as little or as long or as short as you feel, but ride!
LIFE IS LIKE RIDING A CYCLE, YOU DON’T FALL OFF UNLESS YOU STOP PEDALING, SO RIDE AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE OR AS LONG OR AS SHORT AS YOU FEEL, BUT RIDE!