My first bike was a Colson, at age 5 in 1947. It had a flip-over kickstand that attached to the rear axle nuts, 20 inch wheels, U.S. Royal balloon tires with figure 8 tread pattern, and a coaster brake.

My second bike was made from parts I scrounged. It sported a "Whizzer" motorbike front wheel. I was the envy of the neighborhood with that wheel. Drum brake and all, the wheel probably weighed well over 5lbs. The entire bike must have weighed 40lbs.

About the mid 1950s the "English racers" began to appear with their 3 speeds, hand brakes etc., I was 'too old' by then - old enough to think about cars. Bikes in the U.S. were considered kids toys at that time, so I did not even think about cycling again until I was 40 years old.