The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine!

“We didn’t realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun!” I said to my father just as Winnie the Pooh once said!

I had shared the draft version of my blog with Baba (my father) and after reading it he mentioned that he remembers the narrated story differently. Let’s just say his version was far more moving than mine! ‘Parents!’, they have a knack to make you weep and feel sentimental. Until now, I thought Aai (my mother) excelled this knack, but I think Baba is close second. 

Draft version of my blog…

You see, my son was recently gifted with a tricycle by his Mama (Maternal Uncle). It is one of those fancy multiple use ones. Anyways, looking at his tricycle, I indulged in reminiscence of how I got my first bicycle!

My brother's first bicycle was bsa slr. A red color one. I remember sitting on the carrier or the crossbar as I rode a 'double seat' with him. Needless to say, riding double seat was uncomfortable. My brother was taller than most teenagers his age, hence it was only natural of me to correlate his height to his riding the bicycle. Let’s just say I was more than eager to own one myself both the height and the bicycle.

In the late 80s early '90s there were shops where one could rent bicycles from. I learned to ride one on a rented cycle. I clearly remember when my friend's father and Baba, thought of teaching us to ride one fine Sunday. The experience was exhilarating! If ‘Tangled’ the movie had released then, I am sure everyone would have heard me sing “And I got the wind in my hair and a gleam in my eyes and an endless horizon”.

I kept practicing on the rented bike all winter. Going through the slopes, trying to wheelie (since jo jeeta woh seekandar was just out). I have even ridden the BSA roadster, with my leg between the crossbar to paddle efficiently. Unfortunately, my short self did not have enough courage to put my leg across the cross bar and ride.

Then one afternoon in February, I saw my brother riding a red ladies Hero Ranger cycle down the lane. The latest edition. As he was coming towards me, I was perplexed, for multiple reasons. One, my brother was not riding his own bike but ladies cycle and two, Hero Ranger did not sell a bike without a crossbar, so I was surprised to see a ladies’ version of the bike I always envied boys for having. Very soon I realised that I was about to receive the best gift of my life! 

Even now I am unable to pen down how happy I felt. I now had a bicycle of my own! It represented freedom to me. Freedom to go to places, I wouldn't normally walk to; freedom to play on my own when I did not want to engage with my friends. It meant a chance at improving my height (which did not really happen) but even so, I was on top of the world! 

I owned this cycle for at least 8-10 years. I rode it to school on a busy road, I rode it to my coaching classes and even circled my childhood crush's house in a hope to catch a glimpse.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of my cycle, but I don't need one, my memories more than make up for it and the fun I had on it, is unparalleled. 

The conversation…

 “So, what do you think?” I asked Baba as he read through my memory of how I got my first bicycle.

“Well, there is a little story about how your brother and you got your bicycles” Baba said. “When your brother asked me for a cycle, I responded 'If you rank within first three you will get it.' When I mentioned this to a senior over my lunch in office canteen, he almost scolded me for 'linking' it. "Don't put conditions when you wish to give something, or express affection" he said. So, your brother soon got his cycle, I did not wait for his results. Normally he should have been given a 21" wheel cycle but I bought 23" one. That required him to stretch his legs to pedal, he could not reach them fully. There was a belief, I do not know whether it is true or false, that when children stretch legs for pedalling during their 'growth' stage, they become taller.

I remember that buying a cycle for you was not on my agenda at all. I remember why and how I bought it clearly. You met me near Pai's compund, near Ashok mama's garage and asked me to buy cycle for you. That was, I remember, in February. I told you that I will buy one for you as a present for your birthday. You responded saying I should buy you one then, you would treat it as a birthday present and will not ask for a birthday present in October! 

I had a hearty good laugh because it was a good piece of negotiation. I declined.

When I reached home, I thought you would go away from us after ten years and I will remember this denial. Mom agreed. That evening I went out with Mom and bought a cycle for you from Zunzarrao market. That was the latest model available. It cost me about Rs 2300/-, it was quite expensive for my pocket given not-so-mentionable pay of your father then. When you saw the bicycle, you kissed it! I remember this very well. You will rarely know the emotional life your parents live.” 

“That last sentence was unnecessary and we didn’t realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun!” ” I said as I rolled my eyes!

…

There is no other who experiences your thoughts or your feelings. All of us were living the same event in our lives but our thoughts, feelings and memory about it are so very different from each other’s. I am sure my brother’s version of this memory will also be very different.  

I am glad I shared this draft with my parents, else I would have never known this. I am also sure, as of today, I am going to start having frequent conversations with them, about my childhood, their childhood and life in general! 

Like they say ‘the bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine,’ just like life!

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