Once again, my travels took me through Hipster Hook. And, as in previous trips through the area, I saw some interesting bikes.
A few days ago, I saw a vintage Bob Jackson and Masi parked next to each other near Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint. Today, just a couple of blocks away, I saw another bike that made me emotional for a different reason.
While I was happy to see the Bob Jackson and Masi just because they're such nice bikes, the one I saw today stirred up a memory. Actually, a whole bunch of memories.
Mind you, it's not a bike I ever had. I didn't even have one that was remotely like it--not any that I remember, anyway. Rather, it's a bike I might have had if my childhood had been different.
When I say "different," I'm not talking about having been richer (or poorer) or grown up in some other neighborhood, city, state or country. I'm talking, of course, about the bike I might have had if I'd grown up as a girl named Justine rather than a boy named Nick.
As best as I can tell, this Schwinn Hollywood is from 1967. At least, that is when Schwinn offered this model (and a few others) in this color.
Of course I love the curves on the bike. But, as you can probably tell, I love the color even more. Yes, even as a 12-year-old boy I loved that color--and the shape of the bike. Of course, in the time and place where I grew up, I wasn't going to admit that.
I was tempted to wait for its owner and offer to buy it. Somehow I think she (or he?) wouldn't have sold it. Even if its owner had no idea of how rare (and possibly valuable) that bike could be, I think she or he is taken with its charm--not to mention its color!
Besides, I'd need more space (not to mention time and money) for it. I don't think I'd want to leave it outside at night, even in my relatively safe neighborhood. A childhood dream deserves better.
A few days ago, I saw a vintage Bob Jackson and Masi parked next to each other near Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint. Today, just a couple of blocks away, I saw another bike that made me emotional for a different reason.
While I was happy to see the Bob Jackson and Masi just because they're such nice bikes, the one I saw today stirred up a memory. Actually, a whole bunch of memories.
Mind you, it's not a bike I ever had. I didn't even have one that was remotely like it--not any that I remember, anyway. Rather, it's a bike I might have had if my childhood had been different.
When I say "different," I'm not talking about having been richer (or poorer) or grown up in some other neighborhood, city, state or country. I'm talking, of course, about the bike I might have had if I'd grown up as a girl named Justine rather than a boy named Nick.
As best as I can tell, this Schwinn Hollywood is from 1967. At least, that is when Schwinn offered this model (and a few others) in this color.
Of course I love the curves on the bike. But, as you can probably tell, I love the color even more. Yes, even as a 12-year-old boy I loved that color--and the shape of the bike. Of course, in the time and place where I grew up, I wasn't going to admit that.
I was tempted to wait for its owner and offer to buy it. Somehow I think she (or he?) wouldn't have sold it. Even if its owner had no idea of how rare (and possibly valuable) that bike could be, I think she or he is taken with its charm--not to mention its color!
Besides, I'd need more space (not to mention time and money) for it. I don't think I'd want to leave it outside at night, even in my relatively safe neighborhood. A childhood dream deserves better.
I would sometimes take my sister's bikes out for a spin on the pretext of testing them...
ReplyDeleteColine--Because I've worked as a bike mechanic, I can plausibly say that I'm "testing" a bike. ;-)
ReplyDelete