Where It All Started; My Cycling Journey
Two wheels can take you around the world. Cycling is not just a sport, it is also an amazing way to keep your body active. The joy that comes with cycling cannot be overemphasized. The smile it brings as the wind blows on your face as you pedal. Your hands are on the wheels, your legs on the pedals, but your mind and soul are in another world. This is the magic of cycling. Bicycles are the best tool for adventurers. Not only are they machines, they are magical tools that help transform your imagination.
Although cycling is not my favorite hobby, I love it because of the amazing feeling it brings. In my opinion, there's something tricky about bicycles. Sometimes, I wonder how they work. How do they manage to function on just two wheels? Well, I guess a part about science has a perfect explanation for this. Back to the tricky thing about bicycles- they can be quite difficult and tricky to master. It takes quite a lot of things to get a hang of them. It takes agility, balance, and control before you can master the art (or science) of cycling. You've got to fall a few times before you can really get a hang of it. That's just how it works. Well, unless you're cycling on a four-wheeled bicycle, you've got to fall before you can learn it well. It's part of the learning process.
My cycling journey started at a local man’s shop. The shop wasn't big or fancy, but it was a place where kids transformed their imaginations. A place where dreams were ignited. It was indeed a dreamland for kids. This small, lovely, and not-too-fancy shop was run by an old and experienced man. The old man was a master. A cycling boss. At that time, his story was on the lips of every kid in the neighborhood. There was a rumor or a conspiracy theory about him that he could ride two bicycles at once. Of course, every kid believed this and would always talk about his mastery skills.
Every day, kids would always go to the man’s shop to rent bicycles. You could rent a bicycle for 30 minutes and pay a certain amount of money. Some kids would rent bicycles for a whole day. These kids were trusted by the old man and they would always return the bicycle back in good condition. I grew up in a strict home where I was not allowed to go out and play with other kids. I would not say my parents were too strict, they only wanted the best for their kids. In their defense, the street was filled with uncultured kids and they did not want us to get mixed with them. I was a smart kid. I always had my way of sneaking into the old man’s shop.
After school(I was in elementary school at that time), I would always stop at the old man’s shop to rent a bicycle for about 30 minutes before I would go to my parents' house. I remember the day the old man taught me how to ride a bicycle. As I mentioned earlier, you have to fall a few times before you can get a hang of it. After several falls, I soon learnt how to ride like a pro. It soon became a habit to visit the old man every day after school. On Saturdays when my parents are not at home, I sneak to the old man’s shop, rent a bicycle for about 30 minutes, and return before my parents’ arrival.
Every day is for the thief, one day is for the owner. I always thought my parents would never discover my secrets. I thought I would always get away with my plans. Everything was going so well until my mum caught me at the old man’s shop. I saw my world crumble before my eyes that day. To my greatest surprise, my mom did not lay a finger on me, instead, she bought me my own bicycle. I was warned not to ever go to the old man’s shop again. I stopped sneaking into the old man’s shop and started riding my new bicycle in my compound.
Today, I decided to pay the old man a visit. I was surprised to see that his shop was still in the same old condition. His face didn’t change. He was really happy to see me. He was wearing a shirt, so I clicked just one photo of him.
Here is an image of the old man. I covered it with a sticker because he wasn't wearing a shirt.
NOTE: ALL IMAGES IN THIS POST ARE MINE.
Thanks for reading.
I also love bicycles so I always enjoy reading about how others share this passion. I'm so glad you're mom was supportive and helped you along your dreams.
But now I'm noticing: in my profile pic I'm not wearing a shirt either!!! (Hahahaha!)
Hahha. This got me cracked up. Well, I felt it would be rude to post the shirtless man. Haha.
I totally can relate to the sense of freedom you have when riding a bicycle.
Thanks for sharing this story with us! How nice the man still has his bicycle shop after all those years.
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Hello there! I'm really glad I discovered this community. I'm looking forward to seeing this community grow!
I like the photos
Thank you so much.
Your welcome
Very cool friend, the feeling of pedaling is truly unique and liberating.
I can relate. I'm glad you agree with me.
I also love riding a bike
Amazing! I'm glad you also love riding bikes.
Your description of learning to ride a bicycle and the sense of freedom and independence it brought is relatable to many people. It's a skill that often requires perseverance and overcoming the initial challenges of balance and control, but the rewards are immense.
Despite several falls, the rewards worth it. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your amazing comment.
That's such a beautiful and emotional story! I miss those times when riding a bike came with such stories rather than living in the 21st century when parents get you everything you need before even asking for these things. Good luck in the contest!
Those days were beautiful. Soemtimes, I wish to magically go back in time and experience those sweet moments, again.
Cycling can be so much fun especially in this kind of neighbourhood. Welldone
Thank you. Thank you so much for stopping by.
You welcome
I can't relate to this, because I don't really know how to ride a bicycle. The closest I rode was those small ones that are for children. Nice read though.
Awwww! That's still cool. Do you have brothers that love riding bicycles?
Awesome post. I love cycling! !ALIVE!PIZZA my friend.
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This is awesome it brings back memories i grew up with same experience of hiring bicycle it was how i get to learn how to ride thanks to old good memories.
Well done boss, you’ve said it all
It is interesting to read that there in your city people can take ride of bicycle by rent. Cycling is indeed the best exercise for the muscles of legs.
Sometimes it happened that was where our parents have to warn is to stay away from cycling, but the joy it brought to people's faces can not make it be let go of.
This old man truly tried so much to make you a rider of bicycle today.