There's a very strong possibility that I'm going to cross over into another "back in my day" experience right here.  It makes me sad that generations following mine can't experience the same thing with bikes.

Here we go...When I was a kid bikes were more than just 2-wheel transportation.  They were our race cars, our sailing ships, our space ships.  They were the epitome of freedom on the open road, the sidewalk or the dirt trail.  Your bike was like a companion; a best friend that you could depend on.

Here we go again...We used to get up in the morning, hop on our bikes, travel for miles and come home when the street lights came on.  Now, kids have to ride where their parents can see them for fear of injury, a "creeper" or worse.

My first "real" bike was a 1967 gold metallic 3-speed Schwinn Stingray with the shifter on the bar, a banana seat and sissy bar.  2 years later, I got my first Schwinn 10-speed in metallic root beer which I promptly rolled the handle bars up.  To say I wax nostalgic is putting it mildly.

In the last 20 years or so the bike seemed to have disappeared from the mainstream as kids found other ways to play and parents were happy knowing where their kids were.  Maybe it's time to bring some of the old days back.

What I didn't know about Schwinn was that production moved to Canada many years ago.  But now it's partially headed back to the U.S. and specifically to Michigan.  A company called Detroit Bikes will be producing a classic 60s model that you'll be able to get at Walmart.

Life will never be the same as it was in the innocent 60s and 70s but wouldn't it be nice if kids could fall in love with bikes again?

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