Christmas Memories

Whilst the old brain cells don't seem to function quite as well as they used too, I still seem able to recall events from when I was just a lad!

One such memory is from 1971. For some strange reason I was shopping with my parents in Bridport, Dorset, (if you've ever been to Bridport you'll understand this comment & I'll bet real money that you didn't stop there longer than was necessary to realise your mistake in stopping in the first place!) when we wandered into a Bicycle shop called 'Revolutions'. It was there that I spotted the bike of my dreams - a brand "spanking" new, 'drop-handlebar', 10-speed, racing bike!

If only I could have this bike now, I would stop having to ride the one that I'd had since I was 6 years old, and which by that time (I was now 10) was too small for me to actually pedal, and so was only any use as a small seat on wheels, if, for example, I ever wanted to go down (but not up) a hill fast.

However, the new bike in question was rather expensive, and so I was told that I could have it for Christmas, but that it would need saving up for! Now, I can't recall whether it was me or my parents who needed to save up for it, but at that time I didn't care...because very soon I would be having THAT bike.

Now when I say very soon, it was not actually that soon, as it was only FEBRUARY, and Christmas was still 10 months away!

Anyway, wait I did, and when Christmas eventually arrived I was finally able to unwrap the present that I had waited (as far as I can remember) so patiently for.

After waiting so long for this 10-gear, machine of speed, I couldn't wait to get it out on the road to try it. As I set off my dear old mum, stood on the doorstep and waved me goodbye and with a smile said....

"...If I see you going fast on that bike it'll go straight back to the shop!"