I grew up in a Mitchellive, Iowa in the last 70s and early 80s. My love of two-wheel riding started when I got a 1970s-era mini bike powered by a Tecumseh engine. It was exciting to explore that little city and the country roads surrounding it!
The mini-bike!
I remember being around 8 years old, arriving at home to an exciting surprise. It was a mini-bike. It was brand new! I’m not sure how my parents got it - we didn’t have a ton of money. It was so exciting. It was red, with a 3.5 hp tecumseh engine.
Here is a picture of that beast - my little brother and I checking it out!
My cousin (#teen pregnancy) sitting on the monster!
Intial exploration
When I first got the mini-bike, I remember riding it all over the city streets. At one point, the town copy, Harry, came and told me I couldn’t do that. I guess some old geezer didn’t like seeing a kid have fun! I didn’t stop riding Harry, you just never caught me! :-).
Enter the moped
Somehow we also received a used moped. It was a little faster then the mini-bike and a lot more comfortable! I remember it taking a mixture of oil and gas, so it required a little more to maintain and ride it.
Here is a picture of me and my little brother sitting on the moped. This had to be about 1981
Rides I remember
My cousin Shannon and I would take the mini-bike and mopeds out. We would drive all over Mitchellivle and explore the country roads. I remember one time a big black farm dog came running after us. My cousin was on the moped, I was on the mini-bike. I think the mini-bike probably top out at 20 to 25mph. I thought for sure that dog was going to catch me- he was a few feet from the mini-bike trying to get me! My cousin was on the moped he was out running me a bit!
The country roads were all gravel, dusty and hot! We never dropped the bikes - lucky we didn’t - helmets and riding gear were not even thought of in the 70s/80s. Especially in the lower middle class tax bracket!
My good buddy Shawn and I would ride the mini-bike together. I remember we would ride on the train tracks. Probably not the safest thing to do without helmets :-).
Life was so carefree and fun on the mini-bike. I would love to go back in time and ride it again.
