What Is A Bicycle
A Short Story By Will Dugan

What - you have never seen a bicycle? Well, bless your heart; just where are you from anyway? While a bicycle might not rate at the top of the list of human inventions, it is a marvel to behold never-the-less.

I want to tell you what a bicycle really is, but let's get the nuts and bolts description out of the way first:

   * Two wheels held together in line, one behind the other, by a tubular frame.

   * A seat upon this tubular frame allows you to sit astraddle of the frame and above the pedals that your legs will work to power forward motion.

   * You will be sitting behind the handlebars that will facilitate the guidance of your forward motion.

   * There will be some kind of braking system; it will vary with the type of bicycle, and it is important for you to understand the braking system before you get to going so fast that your inability to slow down or stop is a hazard to your safety.

      o Some braking systems are simple foot operated mechanics - you apply a rearward force to the pedals, which stops the real wheel from turning.

      o Some braking systems are hand operated - the force of manipulating a hand lever works a system of wires and calipers that squeeze braking pads against the rim of the wheel, one for the front wheel and one for the back.

   * The basics of forward propulsion are this: the foot pedals that you pump with your legs are connected to a gear; the gear works a chain connected to the real wheel. This mechanism is sometimes very simple, but can also be a quite complicated combination of levers, wires and various sized sprocket gears on the rear wheel. The complicated mechanisms allow you to control the ratio of "force to work", meaning that you get to decide how much leg pumping action is required to provide the forward motion.

   * Many bicycles come with an assortment of accessories. Some provide additional functionality and some are for style.

OK, you now have a basic "nuts and bolts" description of what makes up a bicycle. But this description falls way short of telling what a bicycle really is!

Two Wheeled Magic! Now the next thing you must try to understand is that if you attempt to stand a bicycle up with no support, it will fall over - it won't stay upright on it's own accord. But, as if by magic, your s ense of equilibrium and the motion that you power gives the bicycle a balance that almost defies logic.

I have heard it said "you can't get something for nothing". And I don't know if that is literally true or not. But I do know that a bicycle comes very close to giving you something for nothing! Straddle the frame, put your feet on the pedals, and use your legs to power the gears - this will create a forward motion that will continue even after you quit pedaling. Now your forward motion won't continue forever - you will need to pedal again and again, but you can coast a long way for very little effort! AND, find yourself a hill and, wow - it takes real work to pedal to the top of a hill, but the exhilaration of coasting downhill is more than worth the exertion.

It's almost like flying! There are two methods to help you control the turns you will maneuver. As you sit on the seat above the pedals, you will find the handlebars directly in front of you - be careful; it only takes a slight turn to the left or the right to guide your two-wheeled gliding. As a matter-of-fact, a sharp jerk of the handlebars will invariably send you and your bicycle tumbling. I said there were two methods, and the second method is so cool that you truly need to experience it, as my description will fall short of the sensation of leaning your way through a turn. Yes! Lean to the left and glide to the left! Lean to right and glide to the right!

Self-powered freedom! Wind in your face excitement! AND, once you learn how, you will never forget (or so it has been said)! Even if my physical description of a bicycle is inadequate, believe me, you will know it when you see one. And you will never forget the joys of riding one.

I have seen youngsters perform stunts and tricks on a bicycle that would have you "Ooohing and Aaahing" with taut expectations of spills and tumbles. And yes, there are spills and tumbles, and ensuing injuries - that's part of what makes their antics so exciting. I have not, and probably will not, venture the risks and daring of most of those bicycle tricks.

But I do have a trick. I have been performing this stunt for my own satisfaction for well over 3 decades, and I never tire of the feeling it gives me. First, I must get up enough speed and momentum to coast for a while. Next, I manipulate the pedals so that they are each equidistant from the ground - this provides me a platform on which to stand. Now, I very carefully stand up on the foot pedals; I squeeze the seat between my thighs to help provide balance. Then, I remove my hands from the handlebars and hold them out to my sides as if they are wings. There I am, standing upright with the ground speeding below me, the wind in my face, my arms are now the fanciful wings of flight. To complete this thrilling sensation of flight, I sing out loud, "I'm free ...". It never ceases to amuse those who catch me in the act. And it never ceases to elevate my spirit. I will continue to perform this imaginary fancy of flight as long as I am capable. And when my advancing years prohibit me from the accomplishment, I will still get tears in my eyes from the memory of the exhilaration.

Now - do you know what a bicycle really is?

Copyright © 2009 By Will Dugan