Vintage Robin Hood beach bicycle. Nostalgia wins

I smiled as I rang the true vintage bicycle bell.  Shaking off childhood memories, I kept walking to see what other finds the auctioneer might have going on up the block. 

 

When it became "her" turn the assistant presented her in such a way the small tip of chrome on the front fender gleamed where it had not yet rusted.  "Very collectible folks.  Made in England."

Bikes aren't made like this one anymore.

That's when it hit me. That little piece of chrome reminded me of the bicycle my eldest sister had when we were kids.  Her's was a gorgeous slightly metallic dark blue green, made in England that she won in a holiday card selling contest held by where we went to school.  She looked quite chic riding it home the first time in her school uniform.  I will never forget the smile on her face.

 The auctioneer's voice sounded far off in the distance when my subconscious mind decided I had to have Ms. Robin Hood.  My heart began to race and a lump formed in my throat.  If I win I'll ride in her in honor of my "best sister" as we were known to call each other.  Images of her turning around and asking if I was okay when I used to try to keep with her during our bicycling together flashed through my brain.  She often had to stop and wait for me.

Holding up the number seven (7) bidders card which I had commented might bring luck when it was handed to me during registration I felt my sister was with me in spirit....There was no way Ms. Robin Hood wasn't going home with me as long as she had anything to say about it.  I just knew it.

"Number 7 thank you"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stepped up, 

grasped the handle bars and wheeled away my prize.

That, and for some inexplicable reason felt the need to explain why I bid.

"It reminds me of my sister's bike when we were kids.

She passed some time ago.  She was only 27."

A few other attendees went awwww and the assistant said

"There you go; it was meant to be"

My dearly beloved couldn't believe it since I have only ridden my "new" bike 4-6 times in over a decade of owning it. Actually, neither do I.

While some of you may be participating in the cycling challenge with Sande from A Gift Wrapped Life,

I will be riding with my sister when I'm feeling up to it.

Happily ringing "our" American flagged old fashioned bell.