It has been said that humans' greatest invention has been the wheel (second best has been the internet, followed by YouTube in my opinion). It is believed that the Sumerian people of lower Mesopotamia created the first version of the wheel. The wheel allowed for easier transportation of 'stuff'. Being able to move something from point A to point B came with a little less challenge than trying to push or slide it. I would be the first one to applaud their efforts in this creation because the wheel has been something has been a major part of my life. There is one set of wheels that I have been a major in my life.
My earliest memory of being on two wheels actually was not on a bike but it was a standup scooter. My aunts purchased me a scooter and my sister a bike for my fourth birthday. Seems a bit unfair, right? We are twins, shouldn't we get the same gift? (Admittedly, it might be the first time that I wanted the same thing as my sister). So I scooted around in envy of my sister. I remember it like yesterday when I took the opportunity to ride my sister's bike. She laid it on the ground, that was my moment and took it and rode with it. It was like a child their first steps, I spent time taking a couple of pedal strokes before having to place a foot on the ground to start again. Then it hit me, I was able to keep one pedal moving one after another until I was able to stay upright and ride off into the sunset. It was on and popping from that day forward.
Though I say I just got onto the bike back in 2021 but my riding was before that. I have noticed that riding bikes has been in my life throughout. I think of the ten-speed my cousin Shooby left at my house while in the sixth grade or the blue marauder aka my huffy from my senior of college (that was decorated by some good friends for my final college basketball game, thanks!) or the first road bike I purchased from Walmart for $120, which I thought was pretty steep. Until I looked at entry-level bikes that started around a grand. When I hit the streets on that white GMC Denali steel frame bike, no one could tell me I wouldn't be on the grand tour stage. The drop bar handlebars are what did it for me. This was not a mountain bike or beach cruiser, this was a road bike. Only those chosen got to ride these.
It is only right that I still enjoy being on the bike as I did back when I decided to take the risk and mountain that bike when i was four. What I didn't truly know at that time was the freedom that those wheels would provide me.
As an adult, I have rediscovered the joy that being on the bike provides me. It has taken me through many streets of urban cities in the states, to the mountains and beauty of Italy, and the cycling hotspot of Girona. I realize that I don't have a bucket list of cycling adventures, my bucket list is whatever I get to ride at that moment. Not sure where I am headed but I have faith that the two wheels will guide me places unknown and new connections that will last a lifetime. Here's to the journey ahead.
Let's Roll!!
