The power of BMX--Ramblings

[reilley1]

As I'm wheeling my blue Schwinn Cruiser into the pantheon--err  garage, I say to myself "Self, let's go for a short ride"  Needless to say, the neigbor lady just looked me again strangely.

So anyways, I took off for a short trip around the neigborhood, I was going to take a right turn towards home but took a left towards the marina.  I took a couple of mini-jumps and as i went under the freeway, I even rode up the side of the embankment.  I even tried to wheelie a few times. The memory of the BMX Action article in which the mighty Oz proclaimed that "if you can't wheelie on a cruiser, you can't wheelie"  flowed through my tired synapses.  I guess I can't wheelie.

Kept riding, smiling like some deranged person.  Stopped, helped some guy get his car started and took off again.  Went into a single trail, scoped out a few bums asleep on the "beach" and went up a few dirt jumps.

I got out of there and went up into a trail that turned  into narrow embankment about 5 feet high above the road.  Some cat (probably around my age) rode by on a bike below me with a surprised look on his face as I manuvered through the trail.  Trail dipped down and I jumped onto the road

"Squeak!" OOOPs, gotta tighten those handlebars when I get home

Continued with my ride towards the preserve.  Now i know you are not supposed to go in there but the gate was slowly closing as one of the rangers had just exited.  pedaling my ass off, i squeeked through as the electronic gate slammed close. 

Squirrels, birds and other critters zoomed by as memories of Rancho, Corona and Yarnelll also zoomed by.  All of the sudden, the most dangerous of critters comes by: The Park Ranger! 

""Now, you are not supposed to be here" he bellowed "I could give you a ticket"  I explained that I didn't know.  Memories of Mike Hardaway, Jimmy McDaniels and Jesus Felix jumped out as i remembered a similar incident over 30 years ago as we rode our bikes through a duck infested man made lake. Back then, we also "didn't know"

"How did you get in here" he asked.  I explained that the gate was open.  The ranger escorted me to the closed gate, looked at me suspiciously and waved me out the gate.

I kept on going, tens of lycra wearing grimacing roadies zoomed by on their expensive steeds while I wheeled my 26 year old  $100 cruiser with BMX handlebars with a smile on my face.

I entered a park with wide sidewalks.  A gracefully curved corner beckoned some speed.  I stuck out my knee like Kenny Roberts  as I prepared to power wheelie my way out "Eddy King" style as an imaginary OM, Utterback, Dave Clinton, Stew, Hillage, PK  and Cash Matthews pursued me. I was going to win the 2006 Geritol/Depends "San Diego Grandnationals for old decrepit bastards" if I could only pull this move.

My pedal was a bit too low so i tried to freewheel backwards a little to compensate for the corner.

"AGHH!!!" It's a coaster brake!! The wheel stopped suddenly sending me into an uncontrollable slide.  As my graceful turn, turned into a ungraceful crash, I lay splattered partly on the curb and partly on the grass as I sat there giggling. I'll get you guys later at Saddleback!!!

I just got home, as my 5 minute ride turned into a 1 hour adventure.  My worries and problems are still there, but now they don't seem as relevant.

That my friends and BMX brothers is what BMX did for us in the past and can still do today.

Peace Cats

Rick g

[silentpartner]

i thank you sir

[jT Racing]

it stays fun eh rick

[Dingobmxer]

wicked tale Rick 
I just got back from a street ride/beer with Andy (skyway streetbeat) in Nottingham town centre and now feel strangly serene
  DINGO

[daz bmx it!]

Nice words 

[Waxintaxin]

Its good to feel the wind in your hair and the sound of a rollin comp 3

Rich

[Mattdub]

Cool words Rick 

[69ner]

you should write a book .nice story,i feel all warm inside now 

[Bob_Acid]

Amen, Rick.

You're a poet and you didn't even know it

[RATTY]

Its good to feel the wind in your hair and the sound of a rollin comp 3

Rich

Great story, just wish i had the hair

[reilley1]

Even though I was only getting a few inches off the ground when I jumped, this picture cam flashing through my mind. 

[nic968]

Thanks for sharing....It's great when a "quick ride 'round the block" can turn into a memorable adventure...It's that all terrain freedom that other cyclists just don't get.....And hopefully we'll never lose.

[Jazzchimp]

Poetry in motion Rick (literally).

Memories are there to be revived every now and again, you just gotta know how