Simple

Simple

Share the Fantasy

Erba Cycles of Boston
The last great bicycle I owned was an orange ten-speed Peugeot that my parents got me for my thirteenth birthday.  I felt very sophisticated riding a French bicycle (actually, I'm not sure it was really made in France).  That bike had style and I'm ashamed to admit that I flaunted it, which is not my style.  Other kids admired it and I enjoyed telling them that it was a Peugeot.  You know, a Peugeot, I'd say.  Peugeot  makes cars in France, you know (maybe they did know).  It's a wonder that I had any friends at the time. 

When I went to college, the bike sat unused in the shed until my mother gave it to Jeffrey, one of the younger neighborhood kids.  My mouth fell open with surprise when she told me. What?  That bike is too big for Jeffrey, I protested.  It's not his kind of bike.  I got over it though, knowing that the bike would be well used, if not well cared for.  The orange Peugeot would often be parked in front of Jeffrey's house, unattended and ripe for the picking by a thief with a penchant for European (perhaps) bicycles.  I considered having a talk with Jeffrey about responsibility, but didn't.   

That was 27 years ago and I hadn't thought of the Peugeot until I saw the Erba bike.  Made of bamboo, it has the mellow glow of a fine antique and the zest appeal of a racy sports car.  And look at that basket.  Can't you imagine peddling home from the farmers market on a warm summer day, the wind in your hair, not a car around for miles, no iPhone, no Blackberry, just the basket loaded with ripe blackberries and freshly baked bread?  I certainly can. 

12 comments:

  1. That is one cool bike, Deborah. Amazing what they are making out of bamboo. A bike....I wouldn't have guessed. Enjoyed your Peugeot bike story. I still can't pronounce it....much embarrassment at the car rental office in Paris ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know how you feel Loi. I had to google Peugeot to remember how to spell it...

      Delete
  2. It's a beautiful bike Deb and I can see why you like it. I already pedal back and forth to our local farmers market but not in such great style! Did you know they build high rise buildings in Japan out of bamboo? We've seen it and it's amazing!

    XX
    Debra~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm convinced now more than ever that you live in paradise, Debra! And buildings out of bamboo? I had no idea. Hemp is also used in the Erba bike. Maybe we'll all be driving around in cars made of hemp someday.

      Delete
  3. Any bike with a basket is perfect in my book...this one looks especially cool. I have a Schwinn beach cruiser hanging from the rafters in our garage. It was my son's college bicycle but I keep dreaming of getting painted some unexpected color (maybe turquoise), throwing a basket on it and peddling around the neighborhood or to the farmer's market on Saturdays. Fun story about your orange bike. I better call my son before I paint his bicycle and abscond with it. :-)
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I remember the Schwinn bikes too. Little Jeffrey's sister had one of those. A turquoise bike would be a thing of beauty too. Maybe your son wouldn't mind if you absconded with his bike. At least it would still be in the family.

      Delete
  4. Yep, I love bikes with baskets though mine would be full of corn when returning from the Farmer's Market. A beautiful bike fantasy. Happy dreaming-
    b

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Billie - I am so looking forward to when corn is in season. Thanks for the reminder!

      Delete
  5. You could still be pedaling your beautiful bicycle if your Mother hadn't given it away or you could have taken it back from Jeffery!!! Sigh...the world is full of "if only's"!!! Great post!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Deborah
    Your vision of pedalling your bike back from a framer's market sounds like heaven. What a world we now live in -----if only.
    Thanks for you comment on my Blog on the Shaw TV Interview, it was so kind of you.
    All the Best
    Patricia

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am a very big fan of that bike! It is gorgeous!

    I have loved cycling My husband used to cycle.......and about twenty-five years ago he got us a 'tandem"!
    We rode that tandem more than 9,000 miles! I have never been in better shape!

    He can't ride it anymore; he chose tennis (his first love in sports) ; and I don't blame him! He had a hip replacement, and was playing tennis 6 weeks later! (at 72!!)
    I do recommend "tandem" bicycles to couples!

    A wonderful way to exercise together.....no phone.....no nothing.....and you are right at his ear! He is the "driver" in charge of everything!!

    And you are the "stoker"! meaning all you have to do is" pump"!!

    You can look all around and "see the sights"!!

    Penelope.....

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Your comments are part of what makes blogging worthwhile! In an effort to control spam, comments are moderated and word verification has been enabled. Apologies for any inconvenience.