FOR THE LOVE OF THE BIKE

For the full text head to my site crankpunk.com/
Ever been asked why you ride? Ever wondered yourself why you do it?
I remember getting my first ‘real’ bike (thank you, red Chopper, you will never be forgotten) and heading out of my cul-de-sac into the wider world. In the summer of 1978 I rode around on that thing from dawn till dusk, heading out to discover rivers and creeks, parks and forests, old abandoned houses and drunk hobos, arriving home way after supper time, dismounting that shining stallion in the time honoured fashion of kids the world over, jumping off and letting it crash down on the front lawn and trotting in to get a telling off from my mum.
There’s a great song by the English band Elbow, ‘Scattered Black & Whites’, whose opening lines take me back to that time whenever I hear it.
‘Been climbing trees I’ve skinned my knees
My hands are black the sun is going down
She scruffs my hair in the kitchen steam
She’s listening to the dream I weaved today’
I used to listen to that song before every big race I ever did because it took me back to the time when I first fell in love with riding as well as the halcyon days of my childhood, which, not uncoincidentally, were at the same time.
Throughout my life, cycling has always been there - even when I wasn't riding, in my wilderness years. This video is a way to say thank you, really, to the bike and to this wonderful sport that I will forever be thankful for, because - and this is not an overstatement - it has defined my life.
#lovecycling #loveriding #cyclinglife
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[@peteroconnell1816]

Very cool....

[@amateurambience]

beautiful footage and beautiful word! you ride because you ride... and sometime it's great time to be alone by youreslf...

[@joefenech6839]

Now there’s a video worth watching!…well done

[@crankpunkrides5434]

Thanks Joe! Glad you enjoyed it...

[@hardmtnbiker]

This video was amazing and speaks to me on so many levels. I absolutely love it and will share and reply it often. Thanks brother that I never met but know we are related in spirit.

[@crankpunkrides5434]

Thanks! Glad you like it!

[@Questioneverything72]

This was one of the best videos I have seen about the subject 'Why We Ride' or the love of cycling”. I've got to save and share it many times, especially with non-biker friends.

[@crankpunkrides5434]

Thank you! Really appreciate your comment, glad you liked it! Crank on!

[@mao2006]

Wonderful Video - You can feel the true love for cycling and it is very touching. AMAZING STORYTELLING 🤩❤🤟 - Thank you!

[@gastrodorbs5685]

best explanation ever

[@crankpunkrides5434]

And that’s probably the best comment ever ;-) thanks man!

[@TaichoCyclist]

I am glad your video touched my heart. Thank you CP.

[@crankpunkrides5434]

Aw! Thanks Taicho!

[@BjarkeRasmussenEdvard]

Best video on RUclips, bar none! I remember when this came together 😊

[@crankpunkrides5434]

Cheers Bjarke ;-)

[@anthonyhomercycling]

Are you from the same place as David Millar? The accent resemblance

[@crankpunkrides5434]

Nope!

[@ronetele13]

Yes, all that, but, hhhm, seems you left something pretty major out, some of us ride because we have someplace to go, like maybe the grocery store, the library, or to visit a friend.

[@crankpunkrides5434]

I'll assume for the sake of it that this is an attempt at humour... if so, try again! ;-)

[@caseymckee2814]

☹️ pքɾօʍօʂʍ