Bikes bringing Generations together

The boys and I recently went around to see my dad and to have a family dinner. It isn’t something that we do as much as I would like but it is always enjoyable when we do.

The one thing that makes me laugh is the massive generational difference between the boys and my dad.

The boys would sit and chat about games, TV shows, technology and the terminology that goes along with it and whilst they do so they converse with my dad who 9 out of 10 times is left perplexed and needing some translation.

Yet, it happens in reverse where my dad says something that confuses the boys and once again I continue to be in the middle trying to bridge the gap but it is often a lot harder than you think.

Sometimes discussing technology, Wi-Fi, information transfer, consoles and access to near enough anything is problematic when you are talking to someone who wrote letters and actually spoke face to face and travelled miles just to spend time with someone they care about.

I often have to remind the boys that this is a man who would write a letter to my mum twice a week and would cycle 50 miles most weekends to go from his regiment’s barracks to see her.  There wasn’t this instant technology lifestyle.

However, cycling is something that the boys, and even I, could grasp. The concept of how technology has changed is an interesting one as we live in this digital age but somethings have stayed the same; even if cycling is more for “fun” than travel nowadays.

Bikes seem to have stayed as a staple for many since the 1860s; even when more technological advances in vehicles and travel has progressed.

We recently had a conversation about this. Dad’s idea of a bike was something sturdy, reliable, and comfortable for distance and had distinct purpose, mine was snazzy, almost “futuristic” following neon colours and the boys are more streamlined but the bike itself hasn’t directly changed.

Halfords have recently released posters representing this and it captures it perfectly.

With the ability to turn back the clock and showcase some of the most iconic bikes of recent memory. “Bikes through the Decades” takes a look at the roots of popular classics, highlights almost forgotten favourites, and presents the models that are primed to take today’s industry by storm.

In doing this we had a clear comparison between generations that unified us as a family.

Dad recalled that he had a Cruiser. He has memories of it squeaking whilst trying to make it go up hill, of the seat chaffing where it was wearing out and the amount of punctures he had to repair! He was moaning, as he often does, but the more stories he told on it the more he smiled.

I remember having several different bikes in the 80s but they were all like this. They seemed futuristic, cool and edgy.

I remember having one that was identical the bikes from the Karate Kid movie. I even added pegs on the front and back for "backsies" and stunts.

 

The one thing that I remember doing the were jumps and turns on it, especially when my brother made a couple of ramps. It was a really solid bike and weighed like it was too! I remember having to carry it home a few times!

The boys are still a bit young but they do have modern little kids bikes that don't look much like the ones I had!

 

They seem so thin, sleek and clean. If I thought mine was futuristic as a child then I was mistaken because these are just something more exciting!
 
We had a moment where we took a trip down memory lane and saw how things have changed and some aspect have continued to be true.

It may be difficult at times to find the common ground between someone born in the 1940s against someone born in 2010s but it is always a comfort to see that simple pleasures such as riding a bike can bring families together. Even if that means that they are spending time just discussing comparisons rather than looking lost at each other and needing translating!

Do you have to bridge the generational gap? Do you remember the first bike you had? Was it cool and stylish?

(This post is in collaboration with Halfords.  My opinions are my own and I am under no obligations to give a positive review! Please see my full disclosure at the bottom of my blog)