Sponsored Video: BIKE LIFE

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Some kids grow up on Wheaties, I, on the other hand, grew up on a healthy dose of BMX. In those days, summer vacation consisted of building dirt tracks and jumps in the woods behind our western Pennsylvania neighborhood. I was never the best rider; however, I loved the feeling of cruising, whether it was in the air or just down the street. and the freedom that came along with having my own two wheels (a precursor to the automobile). Over the years, my bicycle riding would evolve into mountain biking, college transportation and then beach cruising. Looking back now, I realize that I’ve had more fun on bikes than any other invention in the world (yes, even more than my skateboard). So, I decided to put together my top three favorite memories in honor of the 30th anniversary of my first bike ride.

3. The Big Hill

My first bicycle was designed like a faux off-road motorcycle. Months after getting my training wheels off, I destroyed it and my face by trying to take the steep street in front of my house without breaks. So how is this a good memory? The rush was insane (up until I crashed) and, I believe, this was also the catalyst that fueled my passion for downhill mountain biking years later.

2. Bomb Hills Not Countries

During my senior year of high school, my good friend Dave and I got really into mountain biking at our local state park, Linn Run. We covered a lot of ground that spring and summer, but one of our favorite hills was a steep, long logging trail we called B.E.C.(Bald Eagle Cemetary). The trail was a fast downhill run with multiple switchbacks that left you shaking it with adrenalin at the bottom. To this day, I’ve never felt the kind of adrenalin rush I got on a daily basis from riding that trail.

1. Cruising PB (Pacific Beach)

By the time I met Beth in the Winter of 2005, I hadn’t ridden a bike for nearly six years. My skateboard became my main source of transportation and fun, while surfing gave me my adrenalin fix. Then I met Beth, a beautiful beach bunny who loved to ride her beach cruiser around Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. For months she asked me to ride with her. I resisted at first, sticking to my skateboard, pushing frantically to keep up as she rolled effortlessly in the sea breeze. Then one day I decided to get back on the aluminum pony, and it was one of the best moves I ever made! Riding with Beth through the beach neighborhoods and along the boardwalk was a sensational feeling, one that reinvigorated the freedom I had felt so many years ago when my friends and I explored the world around us. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures or videos of us cruising together; however, this video by Schwinn comes pretty darn close to capturing how I felt.

*This post was sponsored by Schwinn.

Where are some of your favorite places to ride a bicycle?

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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!