When I was about 12, I desperately wanted a racing bicycle. I saved some money but couldn’t quite stretch to make the investment. I dreamed how amazing it would be to have a bike that was faster and much cooler than my 3-speed. I nagged my parents. Over and over. Eventually, their resistance broke down and they helped me get the bike.
I recently took this photo outside my local bike shop. There’s a rack outside with old bikes people bring in when they are ready to buy a new one. Those bikes are given to a local charity every few months. That charity refurbishes the old bikes and then gives them to kids who wouldn’t be able to get a bike even if they nagged their parents.
When I park my bike there, I scan the bikes just for fun. This old bike is very close to the one I got as a reward for my persistence. It had the same florescent orange bolts and heavy steel crankset.
Don’t give up. Your persistence may pay off.
And your persistence was observed from a distance by a church family that were friends of your parents – and especially their son, a kid a couple of years behind you. That same persistence was used on my parents to get my first ‘racing’ bike. And if I remember correctly – you spent a good deal of time painting that bike and truly making it yours. Thanks for being such a positive example – even to folks you may not think are watching!
Thanks Curt!
And it’s good to hear from you here. I remember good times we had together in Lexington and Woburn.
Paul, I might have told you this story before. Forgive me. When I was 12 years old, I finally got a unicycle for Christmas. I had begged for one the two Christmases prior. My parents didn’t believe I would actually learn and enjoy a unicycle. Surely, it was a passing fad. No.
Christmas day I got a unicycle. Christmas day I learned to ride a unicycle. I peddled it up and down our long hallway with hands on the adjacent walls. Took it outside on the snowy patio – rode it there with no hands. 🙂
Persistence does pay off. And it kills fads.
Great story, Johanna! Likewise, for me, cycling was not a passing fad.
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Or in this case, the squeaky wheel gets the wheels.
However, you might remember, that same approach did not get us those Matchbox cars we were so desperately wanting.
Love it, Bill! That’s a fun memory.
Bill – do you need some Matchbox cars? I’ve been supplying some to Paul via the mail. Would you like one? I can pick out one for you. 🙂
Johanna – Thanks for the generous offer, but I have way too much stuff already! (understatement). 🙂