A Good Sale

They say if you have a beloved object, but no use or need for it, you should take a picture of it and let it go.  Today, I did exactly that with my first two-wheeler. 

I remember my dad giving it to me for Christmas.  Brendan got an identical one in red.  Soon I was riding around parking lots and up and down sidewalks.  I chipped my front tooth trying to impress a girl across the street.  I scraped a few knees.  I sprained my wrist.  It was my horse, my shoe polisher (upside down), my windblown polytails.  I popped wheelies, raced my siblings on the grass, rode over the ledge a removed tree stump had carved in our driveway, trying to catch air.  It withstood being thrown on the ground, knocked into trees, and the growing up of an impetuous girl.

I loved my bike.

But it was taking up space.  I knew I would never restore it or turn it into art as I'd hoped I might.  I didn't want to relegate it to the basement to die a slow death of wistfulness and neglect, mildew and rust.

So I did what I felt was the responsible thing.  I put an ad on craigslist, hoping someone would appreciate her for what she was: Ragged, worn, but still beautiful.

Antique Ross Convertible Kids Bike - (Salem, MA)
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Selling my first two-wheeler, a Ross "Convertible" (meaning it can become a boy's or girl's bike) bicycle, complete with original paint, training wheels, rust and love.

It needs a lot of work, but with patience and know-how, you could have a lovely vintage cycle. It taught this girl to ride, how about yours?

I honestly didn't expect a response.  But today I got an email from an interested party.  Only available until 3pm today, we met during lunch.  I came home early, took some more pictures, and waited.  I was surprised when a teenage boy and his mom arrived on my doorstep. 

This is young Nick, who is learning to restore old bikes and is working on a Corvette to boot.  I was thrilled- this is a perfect project for him, and his mom seemed happy too.  He noted my crossbar was on backwards and explained how he'd remove the rust without damaging the fenders.  He said he might add whitewall tires and would certainly keep the original paint.  I asked for an "after" picture when he was done - I very much hope I get one.  Heck, maybe I'll buy it back.  Maybe.  :)

In the end this became a happy story.  And while I'm sad that my first bike is going away, I'm glad she's going to a good home, to be cleaned and polished and returned to her former self... just like the chairs I do. 

It was a good day.  It was a good sale.