Happy Holidays – part three
Two weeks ago we started a three-part blog series dedicated to a true, feel-good bicycle story. The beginning of this story is featured in our winter Messenger and these next two parts will be featured in our spring issue. This week Mateo continues his story.
Mateo is a high school junior, earning Florida Bright Futures Community Service Hours through his contributions to Florida Bicycle Association. After witnessing first-hand his enthusiasm for cycling, Mateo was asked to tell his story. The following is Mateo’s second chapter in describing what the bicycle means to him. We hope you enjoy this unique perspective:
It was December in Quito, “the great capital”. The city’s foundation party had just ended, but celebrations continued. The sleepless youth of the city did not understand reasons to calm their excitement and the community elders couldn’t understand the necessity for the youth to be “reckless.” I didn’t understand it either, but I felt the furor.
I should note that a significant trait of Quito is that its weather is unpredictable. In December, it could be raining one day and sunny and beautiful the next. On this one particular day, however, everything felt in its place: the weather was stable and the ambience was neither loud nor quiet.
This was the day I met Eduard. Eduard had watched me mimic those TV memories and he called me over. As I moved towards him I noticed his judging eyes gazed upon me, scrutinizing my own. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was looking at the man who would become my BMX coach.
I remember him saying to me, “I see you enjoy the track very much. Would you want to join our club?”
I said yes immediately. It was one of the happiest questions I was ever asked. I can look back on my life and remember the emotions that describe the stages of my life – this one without doubt was happiness at its greatest expression.
My Aunt Patricia drove me back to the house asking me if I had completely lost my sanity. She peppered me with questions, “What is your mom going to say? Who is going to drive you there?” The questions were a quiet voice playing in my mind, taking a back seat to what I felt in my heart.
Once we got home, I ran directly to my mother and asked if I could be an assistant to this club. My mother looked at my eyes full of joy, my pupils nearly fully expanded. She said yes. My elation was finally fulfilled.
On behalf of the Florida Bicycle Association Board of Directors, we wish you a happy and healthy 2018.
Do you have a bicycle story to tell? Photos to share? Be our guest and be our next guest blogger! Send your story and photos to Becky@floridabicycle.net.
Speaking of stories, our quarterly Messenger newsletter is available online for your internet reading pleasure. Visit the FBA website Home page or click here. Want a hard copy of our Messenger? Join Florida Bicycle Association or visit one of our bicycle shop members!
Complete Streets Savvy, or CSS, is a general bicycle educational presentation. The purpose is to provide basic information with regards to the Florida Department of Transportation’s adoption of Complete Streets policy and how cyclists and motorists can share the road safely. This presentation runs 10 – 15 minutes and is designed for legislators, county and city elected officials, civic organizations and other entities that meet regularly and need informative content. There is no fee. Visit the FBA Presentations page to see our complete line of signature presentations.
Have you heard? We have Move Over for People bill sponsors!! Thank you Senator Baxley, District 12, for filing SB 116 and House Representative Stone, District 22, for filing HB 117. Would you like to work the process with us to see these bills become a law? Visit our Legislative Platform page to learn more about our advocacy initiatives and to sign up for our 2018 Florida legislative session email updates.
Bike Florida and Florida Bicycle Association share a common cause in bicycle education and promotion for residents and visitors to the Sunshine State. Share the Road license plate proceeds benefit Bike Florida and Florida Bicycle Association to further these efforts. What’s on your motor vehicle? Get the Share the Road license plate!
