I was reviewing some video files, wondering why I kept them, when I came across some footage of a poor lost Mixte. It was leaning, unlocked, against a tree. It had flat tires. Stolen and dropped? Drunkenly used and abandoned as "broken"? It was an Eaton Road King. Eaton's was once the biggest and best department store in Canada and is missed by many of us... at least those of us who remember it. It went under in 1999. Anyway, here it is:
I was riding to work and had no time to think about what should be done. It was a lovely Mixte in nice condition save the flat tires. Beyond that, it was a bit of Canadiana of a variety that is beginning to vanish quickly. After work, I looked for it and sure enough it was gone. If it had still been there, I would have debated with myself about whether I should take it. God knows few would love and restore it the way I would have. Is taking an abandoned, flat-tired bike stealing? I don't know. I just hope whoever picked it up knows what it is and treats it accordingly. The park where it was left is literally right beside a scrap metal yard. I shudder to think. $%^%$*!! I should have saved (stolen) it.
******
I started this post thinking that it would start and end with my sadness about this bike, but as I wrote I got to thinking: Why is it I can get all emotional about a derelict bike, a thing, one of trillions of manufactured things floating around the world, yet drive or ride by a derelict person without a second thought? Things are easy, I guess. People are hard. Perhaps one day I'll grow into somebody who is better at loving and restoring more than bikes. Wish me luck, and sorry for getting all heavy.
Yer Pal,
R A N T W I C K 
7 comments:
Good thought. I've got some work to do too.
This post is one step away with something using kumbaya as the theme. Of course the proper owner collected it.
Two things:
1. Very cool title for this post!
2. I remember Eaton's. It was not in my budget to shop there, but I would stop by the one in Hamilton mall and drool at stuff I couldn't have.
Peace :)
I only get sad about "nice" derelict bikes.
Certain fixie conversions too.
I get it totally. I would have left the bike as well, but I get it totally. Dead bikes make me sad :(
A machine responds directly to your input. If you fix it and take care of it it stays fixed within the limits of normal wear and tear. People, on the other hand, have a discouraging way of breaking themselves immediately after you have tried to fix them. The ones you see as derelict have generally been through a lot of repair attempts already. It's usually hard to have a conversation with one of them, let alone do more substantial good. Machines (and animals) depend on us. People have to learn to depend on themselves. Not to say we can't and shouldn't cooperate and give each other a hand where we can. But an individual needs to be strong and centered, able to stand, to have the strength to join and cooperate rather than simply consuming support.
Cafiend - Thank you for that thoughtful and well-put comment. It rang very true and I appreciate it.
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