Re: [A/S] bicycle pulling '48 a/s

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxx>]

Hi -Norma - Kevin's site is something else, isn't it?

The VAC pictures of towing an Airstream with a bicycle are great, but they
don't even begin to hint at how hard it was to do. When Clyde Wagner invited
me to use his bicycle and take his '48 Airstream for a spin around the
parking lot, I enthusiastically accepted. What I didn't know was that it
would require massive physical exertion beyond anything I had ever applied
to a bicycle. 

There were five of us that day (4th of July 1999 in Dayton, Ohio) who were
offered a chance to tow Clyde's 1948 Airstream Zephyr with his bicycle. All
of us thought it was a fitting thing to do on Wally Byam's birthday.  Our
group included Paul Drag, Tom Howarth, Preston Pearson, Jim (Clyde's
neighbor?) and myself.

When I got on the bicycle,  my first realization was that extreme effort was
needed for each stroke of the pedal. After a mere three strokes, the almost
imperceptible upgrade of the parking lot seemed like a huge mountain to
climb. 

Two seconds later, I was straining every muscle to maintain my balance and
keep pedaling.  The Airstream's unflinching demand to follow a different
route from where I was steering it began to lessen as forward momentum
increased. 

All of my macho physical strength and egotistical self confidence were put
in a severe test.  After 35 pedal strokes, I knew I was actually doing it,
but another 15 pedal strokes might be my limit.  At 50 pedal strokes, I
hopped off the bicycle so Clyde and I could stop the Airstream.  I had done
it and was thrilled by it.  Just because I knew I had only barely done it -
did not in any way diminish my sense of accomplishment - then or now.

Those in our group who towed the Airstream the other direction (down the
grade) had a different experience. As soon as they overcame initial inertia
and the Airstream's thousands of pounds began rolling in a straight line,
had a great ride.  Their smiles and our cheers were a tribute to what they
had done. 

For each of us who towed Clyde's '48 Airstream with his modified bicycle, it
was like reliving a historic moment from the past. On top of that, we were
actually doing something none of us had ever dreamed of being able to do.

All of us had seen the faded old pictures of an ad showing a man towing an
Airstream with a bicycle. We now have the deepest respect for his skill and
strength. 

When I  showed our kids the pictures of me taking my turn, they thought it
was trick photography until I showed them the other pictures.  There was one
clear picture of me pedaling the bicycle with the Airstream in tow. That
picture has since been enlarged, reprinted and framed.

Yes Norma, IT WAS FUN. But more than that, it was a once in a lifetime
experience and Clyde Wagner made it possible.

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net