I started writing this book without knowing why, except that it seemed to be the natural follow-up to the physical restoration of the Hill-Climber bicycle, which began in earnest in the summer of 2003 (see website if you haven't already, by clicking The Hill-Climber below). My brother, who did most of the research, had an early, vague notion that I would write this book, so he urged me to keep a journal. I didn't, but kept all the email of my correspondence with everyone during the time period, so I was able to build a timeline easily enough, and my memories were still fresh. I knew the facts by heart, and I had little problem with the basic structure of the book.

What came out it is more of a series of looping story circles that revolve around an arrow (putting the bike back together). I had a singular purpose— riding the Hill-Climber again, but the larger threads that came off at various points and reconnected to the timeline (and other threads) are what it really is all about: bonding with my son, learning from the footprint of my grandfather (who never got to tell me what life was all about) and from my parent's life lessons, and coping with curveballs in my own life.

I could tell you more about my obsession with an old bicycle, but I think I pretty much said it all in the book. I'd rather say something more about how I feel about the main subjects, so click on any of the pictures below to get something extra.