THE RIDE

Jeff has been riding bike as long as I can remember. His bikes were always embellished to the hilt. We are talking a big ole orange flag on the back that would swing back and forth as he sped down the road (the faster the bike, the faster the flag would wave!)... there was usually a radio taped somewhere, a clock or two, a horn, stickers, and whatever else he could conjure up. In his mind his bike was his car and he needed to dress it accordingly!

When we lived in town in a trailer house down on Henderson road, he was about 7. He had a broken arm, so, he needed to use his other arm to hold on as he peddled down the streets. If my memory serves me somewhat correctly - it was shortly after this our parents moved us 8 miles out in the country with a mile long drive way. This would offer lots of space and long distances before Jeff would have to turn around and go back the other direction.

When we lived on "Boerners Hills" farm he had a bike accident. There was a big electric pole with a yard light on it right in the middle of the farm yard, as Jeff made one of his spectacular turns - he ran into the pole. With blood everywhere he was ready to mount the bike, it wasn't until he saw dad coming towards him that he started crying. Dad brought him in and got all of his wounds cleaned and then off he went for another spin.

When Jeff turned 18 he moved to Mankato into the Harry Myring Center. Along with him went his bike. He took classes and had lots of training on the rules of "how to ride your bike". He rode his bike for many years, it was his main source of transportation. I can't speculate how many he went through during his years, but I can tell you how much he enjoyed riding! When he was living by the fire station in Mankato he ran into a parked car. He wasn't hurt real bad, but, bad enough that someone called the cops. When they arrived they got him cleaned up and issued him a ticket for reckless driving. He was so proud of that ticket that we just really couldn't say to much! To this day he will say... do you remember when I got that traffic ticket?

I guess the final straw came one day when mom and I were headed up the hill to go to the "River Hills Mall". We saw a bike rider, riding fast through traffic, head down... well, what in the world? Who would ride their bike like that? Thinking that all traffic would be watching for him? Why would someone allow this person to ride their bike through all this traffic with their head down, didn't he know any better? Didn't someone say "NO!"

and...
as we looked closer we realized it was none other than my favorite brother. He was so enjoying the wind at his back...
so enjoying his freedom
so enjoying the ride.

We did realize we would need to say "NO" - but, we let him finish his ride home and at his next "teaming" we discussed his capabilities of driving bike in Mankato. The traffic had changed through the years, and Jeff could no longer maneuver through it safely. It was sad for us to take away this freedom, but he was just fine with it. We still let him ride his bike in Arlington and he could still ride in Mankato with staff. Eventually he gave up riding in Arlington on his own also. He still goes with his staff in Mankato on the bike paths - but, that about tops his interest.

Thinking about this story...
and the fact that I need to fill my bike tires on Thursday so I can go for a spin on my new bike...
I believe I will take Jeff to the track this week-end...
let him feel the wind beneath his wings
let him be free
give him the chance to ride...