Today was a bitter sweet day for me. I donated my all time favorite bike to Des Moines Street Collective. It was a big hit and the staff gathered around to admire it. I told them a little history and one young man said,"Sometimes a bicycle is more than just a bike"! How true! My carbon fiber Specialized Allez (late 1980's) was just that! When I traveled alone it was my transportation. Where I went--it went! I started riding a bicycle in 1966. The great Iowa trail system had not yet entered the picture. So I continued to ride the streets and country roads for many years. Then as this wonderful Central Iowa recreation system developed, I switched to trail riding. It was almost like a dream coming true. After many years I bought a beautiful new bike and retired my Specialized Allez to my exercise room. To me, it was like a piece of art and I decided to keep it as my "look at" bike. I continued to ride until age 90 (two years ago). At that time, I disposed of my other bicycles but kept my Specialized until today (June 20, 2025). Des Moines Street Collective is a good nonprofit organization that refurbishes bicycles for people in need. I just don't want this story to end here. I am hoping someone will get this bicycle and will enjoy it and ride it for many years.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (ESV) (Hebrews 13: 15,16)

Views of a Farm Boy--Dedicated to promote Iowa agriculture and Iowa values--Robert Vaughn--Urbandale, Iowa  EMAIL:   vaughnrobert@me.com

Addendum-- I don't quite understand why today was so difficult for me. I fully realize the silliness of putting emphasis on material possessions. After all, it's "just a bike--NOT!!!