Jennifer (22.6.20)

Bike enthusiasts might find little to ogle at a built-bike, BMX. Yes, it is cheap and may not have all the bells and whistles. Of course, I wanted to take my time and pick out the components for my dream bike but with the veerus mucking about, I had to settle for a "battlefield pickup".

First up, why a Bike Motocross or BMX?

I've handled different bikes in the last few years and I could pretty much ride an MTB, cyclocross or "roadie" but I really love the small-framed, BMX because it was the bike I learned to fly!

I'm also mentally stuck in the 1980s and what better, more anachronistic icon—from "E.T.", to "Rad", to "Pretty in Pink"—than the venerable, 20-inch, 2-wheeled wonder?

I learned to ride a bike rather late in my life but when I did, and when BMX was in vogue, I knew I wanted to get it literally, off the ground! Sadly, this was an age when mobile phones, of even the analog kind were pure science fiction. I have no photos or videos of getting some "air-time", doing "wheelies", "bunny hops" and other insane stunts. Conversely, there is no documentation of my most embarrassing and mildly catastrophic blunders on (or off) the bike either!

My BMX adventure started on a built-bike. It was a "racing blue", steel-frame contraption which cost an even P500 back in the day. Papa laminated the receipt and had me carry it with me as proof of ownership in case anyone asked. Over time, I would change out parts and eventually, had enough spares to build a second bike. But even back then, bike parts were expensive. I was never able to build my dream, alloy-frame, mag-wheeled, "E.T. Bike" and life got in the way. My "Stormer"—along with my adolescence, gave in to manhood.

I regretted losing that bike. She was my favorite pet and we rode a long way from our Paco home. I spent many hours doing tricks, riding "no-hands" along Roxas Boulevard from Baclaran to CCP. In my quiet moments, I would rather be with 'her' if not, a good book. I am mostly a loner and the bike was the best companion to be alone with.

Another reason why I chose the BMX is because it feels like an extension of my body. It is not something that you merely ride but more of an appendage which obeys your every whim. It's like dancing with a partner with you taking lead, gliding over pavement, with the familiarity of an old pair of shoes.

It's been over 30 years since I last "bunny-hopped" a lit firecracker or "wheelied" along Escoda Street in the old neighborhood. My current ride and my own body are just too heavy for good old fashioned, 80s-style, air-time. Maybe someday, I'll get my groove back.


Although bike technology has come a long way, I'm happy that BMX design hasn't changed much only, that I'm now running disc brakes instead of calipers. My off-the-rack bike came with both from and rear brakes, wide handlebars and a kickstand.

To recreate my old girl, I had the shop take out the front brake and the stand, raised the seat stem a few inches (to compensate for the small crank set) and swapped the bars for a more compact version.

After three decades, I'm back on the saddle. I've never looked at this rig as a cheap built-bike but rather, a dream fulfilled, a sentimental journey to a time when not much else mattered and more importantly, the righting of a wrong! I am as happy as I could get with what I've got! There have been many things gone wrong in my life. At least, I have been given the privilege to set one thing right, to relive the days when I had long, curly hair blowing in the Manila Bay breeze, when I could just ride off long before the sun was up or long after night has fallen.

Although it took some doing, I kept a promise to myself —that I would again ride the streets of the city of my birth and keeper of my heart and soul, and to honor the old neighborhood I grew up in and the memories I made there, I named the bike after a lady who once lived there.

To me, she is more than a bike. You may refer to her as, "Jennifer".


#KansasBoy

#bmx4keeps

#alivealegend

#faith

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