My Short Stories. The Ride of your Life.

Our cousins lived nearby and were quite comfortable. Both parents worked, meaning they were well-off and could afford things we only dreamed of. One of the things I desperately longed for as a lad was a bike; everyone seemed to have one, but we simply couldn’t afford it. My little brother, only a couple of years younger, felt the same way. We used to do a lot together—mostly fight, to be honest—but looking back, we truly had good times.

THE CHOPPER BICYCLE IN THE 70S

We both relied on the good nature of our mates to let us have a go on their bikes. Back then, you could go for miles; the world felt like our oyster. Energy wasn’t an issue; we could ride all day and night and never tire. We ventured pretty far at times, and thinking back now, I often cringe at the situations we got into. But back in the seventies, it was much safer than it is today.

Our cousins were cool. They were two girls who came around to our street every morning to give us a ride on their new bikes. We’d circle the block, taking turns, and had an absolute blast. I can still feel the hot sun beaming down on a summer morning when they arrived.

Finally, one Christmas, our parents bought us a Chopper bike! These were the best back then: three gears, one wheel smaller than the other, and built to last. You have no idea what those bikes meant to us. We went everywhere and had the best of times. Nowadays, a bike wouldn’t be the ultimate present, but things change. Happy days!

© William Sinclair Manson 2025