Our lives are often defined by the things we hold dear, and for me, it has been my faithful skateboard. For over 35 years, this wooden toy has been my conduit to a world filled with friendships, community, passion, love, commitment, travel, joy, and pain. Like a benevolent force, it has ceaselessly poured its gifts into my life.
I still remember the wave of fascination that swept over me in ’87 when skateboards started popping up in my neighborhood. It was an instant infatuation, a magnetic attraction that was more than just about its aesthetics. This wooden toy had a profound allure, one that captured my imagination and has held onto it ever since.
Over time, I have come to appreciate the reflective nature of my skateboard. It serves as a mirror, echoing my feelings and state of mind at any given moment. How I maneuver it under my feet often reveals more about me than words can express.
Despite its age and the occasional need for a new part, the essence of my skateboard remains untouched. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, though I would never say no to adding another, or even a hundred more skateboards to my collection. Each one carries a unique narrative, a story waiting to be unfolded and cherished.
Similarly, another rider cherishes a different kind of ride—a vibrant, cherry-red bicycle. Purchased on April 16, 2007, it has been the finest bike they have ever owned. With its effortless glide that allows for coasting downhill past other cyclists, this bike has stood the test of time, including enduring a broken part during the pandemic and a nine-month wait for a new part from China.
The decision to pick this particular bike was made in a sports store in Itäkeskus. From the two color options available, the bike's safer frame model and darker shade instantly stood out. The first ride home, spanning a distance of five kilometers, was a revelation of the bike's inherent superiority.
Much like the skateboard, the bike too serves as a symbol—of freedom. Every ride on it is a joyous expression of liberty, a celebration of movement. While it bears the scars of time, including a large dent in the fender caused during a tire change, the rider wouldn't have it any other way.
In an ideal world, they would love to have another similar bike fitted with puncture-proof winter tires. However, with no need to brave wintry conditions for work anymore, the idea remains just that—an idea. But who knows? Just like the skateboarder who wouldn't mind a hundred more boards, there might be room for one more bike in the rider's life after all.