I was gifted a three speed bike from the upstairs families kid when he got his car. It was way to big for me and I could never get the gears to work so I would have to run along side the bike, step on the left pedal and throw my leg over and just stand on the thing to get it to move. It had long horn handle bars and only a front brake. I had a difficult childhood so I would ride the bike for hours to keep from having to be inside with the "family". It was my escape and my freedom all in one and I loved it. Years later, some college, USAF, the Vietnam war, I came home with a wife and our first daughter and ended up working for my father. All the old family issues came to a head and I struckout on my own having been certified as a Master Plumber. A home to big and needing too much renovation took it's toll on me and eventually I gave up and just concentrated on my business. Happily my wife of now 49 years, was a great saver and investor so we were able to buy a house here in NC free and clear. One of my luxuries before I retired from upstate NY was a ten speed Columbia that I would ride with my brother in law until I could no more. I had lost the use of my left leg and had surgery to repair it. Before that I had a disc blow out and lost 80% of the muscle in my lower right front calf so my surgeon and physical therapist both told me I should not ever get on a bike again. Retired and bored. Got back into stained glass work. Built some furniture, built three stone planters in the yard and then got bored again. Found a used Schwinn MTB that was too big for me but at $40.00 I bought it anyway. If I could ride this I might be able to get a real bike. Ended up selling that and bought a Quick 7 and two weeks ago a Quick 3. I love getting out on my bikes and feeling free and at peace. Happily I have not had any memories of why I rode as an escape as a child only the love of the ride. I still hate to get off the bike but now for all the right reasons.
Frank.