Bikes

My first bike was purple; a very girly, pastel purple. I even recall riding that bike for so long one day that my hands started to bleed from gripping the handles so tightly.

I eventually got too big for that bike, right around the time I hit my tom-boy phase.

There's nothing special I remember about that 2nd bike. But the accident I had on it will be one of those moments I'll never forget.

My friend and I were racing down the street when the strap of my bag slipped from my shoulder. As I reached over to pull it back up, the bag slipped further down, falling between the front tire and bike frame, and abruptly stopping the bike. As for me, well, I learned my first Physics lesson that day - objects in motion tend to stay in motion. 

My friend claimed that my flip in the air looked pretty cool. Well...until the landing, which was on my face.

I wore glasses back then. And nearly lost an eye from the impact my face had with the pavement that day.

First time in an ambulance. First time at the ER. First set of stiches.

And yet, despite it all, I still love to ride.

Ltrs to Sheesh - 7/29/2014 - ALJ