The red bicycle

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

( AI generated image with picsart.com)

The cycle came in all wrapped in brown paper from Delhi by train. It was Papa's cycle from his college days and was housed in Delhi. When it came down he was very happy to have it with and unwrapped the brown paper with glee to reveal the shiny red cycle. He got a new air pump for the cycle and said that it has gears whatever that was. For the four year old me, the bell was with a loud tring-tring sound to it was the most appealing. 

Then Papa got a child seat installed and there were tiny footrests that could be folded. That is when I started looking at the cycle not just the bell. And then we went for a ride round the block. The seat wasn't the most comfortable and I was afraid that I might fall but once I got a good hold then it was thrilling to be seated on the cycle with the wind in my hair. 

 

Yes, the man up front is master. It is he who shifts the gears. 
                              He decides when brakes are needed, and on top of this he steers.                                                             

                                       From Shovelin Coal by Tony Pranses

(Source: https://pickmeuppoetry.org/shovelin-coal-by-tony-pranses/)

With hindsight I understand that it must have taken a lot of strength to cycle with a child seated ahead but it made it easier for Papa to go to his factory and I was fortunate to be able to accompany him at least once a week for almost an year. Then when my sister was born I would sit on the career and visit the hospital with him. But after that, it became his cycle and was left at the factory for use there.  

The red cycle was no longer around but what did stay back was the desire to cycle around leading to many adventures and misadventures through the years. No one captures the thrill through words better than Beeching - 

With lifted feet, hands still, I am poised, 
and down the hill Dart, with heedful mind; 
The air goes by in a wind. 
Swifter and yet more swift, 
Till the heart with a mighty lift



(Source: https://pickmeuppoetry.org/going-down-hill-on-a-bicycle-by-henry-charles-beeching/)


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