Love Affair With Bicycle
Saturday, October 25, 2008 Labels: You Me and Our Lives 4 comments
Pedalling The Romance
There is a folk song in Punjabi Language about romance of riding double with your girl-friend on a cycle:Oh! Lo I see you riding away on the cycle,
but what relationship you have with her,
Oh! whom you carry on the bar in front.
Tell me what fragrance does her hair have?
No double-meanings here please. But let me start chronologically.
Since childhood I was very much fascinated with the Bicycle or cycle to be colloquial. Initially we two brothers were carried to school (5 Km away) by one house-help on his cycle . It used to be fight among us - who will sit on the front - which afforded a view of the traffic - although it was a pain (you know where) to sit on the rod for good 30 mins ride. But sitting in rear was boring. Then it was a triumph to learn to ride the cycle myself - after many falls and bruises. Then finally I got the gift of a used cycle from my father. I rode it myself to school, with friends.
When I was on my first Job, I bought a brand new cycle - green in colour - fitted with fancy bell, saddle, a dynamo and headlight. It was around this time that I got married. And you know what - we used to go for movies riding on this cycle - she on the front bar, nestled to my chest, and I riding the cycle through the crowded streets. The conversation we had during the ride - breath to breath - was romantic. The Punjabi song was very appropriate for such times. I used to hum this song - which caused her to giggle.
Problem is, that for my short height, there are no special sized cycle in India - as is available in Europe. Regular sized cycles are too tall for me. So I had to dismount to stop at the traffic lights.
I used that one for only 1 year and gifted it to a house-help.
I then bought a scooter and used it for 12 years. My son who was born soon, used to like riding on the front foot-board, clutching the handle - making believe that its he who is driving.
Much later at the age of 45 or so, I bought a 10 geared cycle and loved riding it on hills. I was quite regular in using this as an exercise.
Part of my romance with machines is maintaining these. I was most happy with my tools. Taking down the cycle or later scooter to its nuts and bolts. Troubleshooting, repairing and modifying these.
But no longer do I cycle. I just get driven around in a car. How boring!!!
The pleasure of the enjoyment of each and every moment of life is being reflected in "Pedalling The Romance", with father, with the better half and even with the son. Even then, the philosophy that you wish to be impartial with the real life is somewhat contradictory. I think you are still enjoying the life with full zeal and wishing to continue this mental happiness. - PANKAJ
jum_bish@yahoo.co.in
Girish, I didn't know you used to go to movies on a bike when you got married. When/where was that? Your blogs are interesting read. When is your booking coming out? ...JP
I never knew your love for bike. When/where did you bike to the movies?...JP
Hi JP
It was Bhusaval. The Cinema Hall was called 'Mamaji' on the other side of Railway Tracks. I think it will take me 6 months to finish the book after I retire in July.