This post is going to be a story of Gen-X regret. And a lesson to the younger Gen-Z if they bother to read it.
If you read my “About” page, you will know that myself and my brothers were into BMX. Bicycle Moto Cross if you have not heard of it before. This was a very popular sport in the late 70’s and 80’s and it’s still around today.
My younger brothers got started in the sport way before me. I think I was already driving and working my first job by that time. They were really into it. They had saved their money and bought all the latest lightweight parts they could get their hands on from the local bike shop. I started to take notice, I mean what Gen-X teen wouldn’t want to ride over dirt ramps, whoop-de-doos, and steep curves at breakneck speed? Color me interested.
Now looking around my Dad’s garage, there were plenty of spare parts available to put together a complete BMX bike, and that’s just what I did. My first bike was a Frankenstein of sorts, a “one piece at a time” if you will. Made up of all the cast-offs that had been upgraded. It was certainly not the best, but it worked and I made it mine. While my brothers had professional racing helmets, leathers (Heavy nylon racing pants), and fancy Jerseys, I used my old skateboard helmet, a “Cheap Trick” shirt, and track pants. But I was determined to start a racing career of my own. There were several good tracks in our town and we managed to race on quite a few Saturdays during the season.
But back to the story of regret. You see in BMX, the pinnacle of racing bikes (arguably) at that time was called the “P.K. Ripper” from SE racing. Both my brothers already had theirs and were doing quite well in their races with these bikes. Plus they just looked so cool! I knew I had to have one!
So for Christmas that year, I asked for a Black and Gold Ripper Frame, with gold rims, and handlebars. Well, I got my wish, and let me tell you it was beautiful! My awesome Dad had put it all together and staged it perfectly on Christmas morning. It was truly one of the best presents I ever got. I would go on to ride it in some races, but soon after I outgrew the racing scene. I still rode the bike around sometimes just for fun in the neighborhood, but mostly it just stayed parked in the back corner of the garage. My brothers continued to race and do well even competing in other states.
A few years later, I needed money to get books for college. I was strapped for cash from paying high-risk insurance on my car and was looking around for stuff I could sell to get money. Well, all I could find was that P.K. Ripper in the back of the garage. I wasn’t using it and figured I probably wouldn’t be riding it anymore. So I put an ad in the local paper and sold the complete bike for $200 bucks. Not a small sum in those days, but certainly not what we had put into the bike.
It’s sad that I no longer have some of those things from my past that brought me joy. My son and I started collecting and restoring vintage bicycles when he was about 9. And when we saw an original P.K. Ripper at our local bike store on display (The owner’s bike from back in the day), I told him the story of my bike and how I had sold it for $200 measly bucks! You could tell he was disappointed that I once had something that cool and let it go. Ya, me too.
Looking back on it now, I think I could have gotten the money for books elsewhere. I probably could have gotten a loan from my folks or an advance from my job. I know it’s just a thing, but that thing would sure look great hanging up in my vintage bike collection. Heck, I’m sure I would still ride it from time to time.
So all you younger Gen-Z kids, heed my story. And if you can hold on to those things that might someday mean something to you or your kids, I highly suggest you do.
Later Dudes…Tim B.
P.S. Do any of my Gen-X brothers and sisters have a BMX story to share?