First taste of freedom

"I got my BSA as a combined birthday and Christmas present the year a growth spurt allowed my toes to remain on the pedals throughout the stroke, even if that meant my backside seesawing across the slammed saddle. I still don't know if it ever had a model name. It was just one of the indestructible black utility bikes carried by Harry Saks' general dealer and bicycle shop on 11th Street. Learning to ride a bike that was at least a year too big was a rite of passage -- to freedom, and from gravity. Mine had been worth waiting for as it was almost brand new."