Bike Story
Growing up on a farm in rural New Brunswick in the 1950's was adventurous. That we lived close to the river on a plateau, with the river bank in front and the hills behind us, added to the possibilities. The summers were long, hot and busy.
One summer day my cousin, Burtt, and I were looking for something new to do. Snooping around in the granary, we found my father’s old bike that he used as a boy. It looked really solid and useable. The tires were hard rubber so--no flat tires. That it did not have a chain presented a problem but it was surmountable.
It was decided that the bike would hold the two of us. If we pushed it up the hill behind the barn, we could have a nice long run down through the pasture. The public road went up the hill but if we used the field traffic would not be a problem. After all, we slid down that hill many times in the winter without mishap. The cows and the pony would move out of the way. We had this all very well planned and, we thought, "What could go wrong?"
So off we went taking turns pushing the bike. Halfway up the hill, we translated "a solid bike" to "a very heavy bike." As we pushed and sweated we were thinking of that long, lovely ride down. Did I mention this was a hot sunny summer day?
Finally THE TOP! Burtt, being 18 months older and a boy, was in front to steer. I remember this as being--his decision. I was to sit on the hard seat and just hang on. We arranged ourselves on the bike and off we went. Picking up speed as we raced down the hill. Wow! What a great idea!
About 100 feet down the hill, just as we were really getting the hang of it--disaster happened. We hit a hardened and, I am sure giant, cow pattie. Off we went flying through the air–ass over tea kettle--landing in the grass and, probably, other patties. I had a few scrapes and bruises. Burtt, on the other hand, being a boy, sustained a more painful injury.
End of story. No further bike trips on the hill happened. The bike went quietly back to the granary. And, in case any of you were worried, Burtt is now a great-grandfather.