Backroad Skidding

Our bicycle was the backdrop for this picture taken in 1952 or 1953. Carolyn and Keith are in the back and Donna and LeRoy in front. 

Photo by

  
Margaret Walls  

Written by 
LeRoy Walls 
CEO 

I’ve had my share of strawberried legs and thighs from sliding into home plate while playing softball wearing shorts. However, my personal record-setting slide came with the help of my older brother, Keith, when I was about six or seven years old. We were coming down the steep Garland Hill on the gravel township road near our farm.

This hill was about the same grade as mountain roads where the signs say to "use lower gears" but our bicycle didn’t have a low gear. Normally a bike rider could reach the bottom of the long Garland Hill with enough speed to nearly coast over the short hill, which followed. This trip had all or more than the normal amount of speed but was to turnout much different.

Keith was a great rider and rode his old Western Flyer bicycle everywhere. Although I didn’t have my own bike yet, I loved to go with him. We were heading for home and the wind on my face was breathtaking as I sat on the handlebars in front of Keith. I was holding a bike fender we had traded for at a neighbor’s.

As we picked up speed the extra fender drifted into the spokes on the front wheel. This locked up the front wheel and starting what was to be one wild slide.

Keith, the bicycle and I were all in a 15-mile per hour free style downhill slide. The bicycle finished third, Keith second and I came in first although Mom didn’t think that Keith or I either one looked much like winners.

Like many of you, my life has included some broken bones and bruised body parts. I broke a rib when bucked off a horse, and got a broken arm in the thrill of arm wrestling. Both of these within the past 15 years. All in all I guess the percentage of injury to me, and to most of us, is probably about right for the chances taken.

Despite my terrible personal safety history, at Woodpro Cabinetry I look with pride at our safety program and our efforts to keep people safe as they work. We are honored that we were the first U.S. cabinet manufacturer to receive "Star" status in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program.

12/31/1999