KYCLAY-L Archives

From: "Jess Wilson" <>
Subject: [KYCLAY] LETTER FROM THE BIKEMAN
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 10:36:24 -0400

To all: Sometime in the spring of 1997, I met an old man on a
bicycle at the Rite Quick Gas and Convenience Store. He appeared
to be a transient and a very tired one at that. I invited him
to spend the night at the Wigwam, a private camp about a mile
further up the hollow from where we live.. There he could take a
shower and have a good bed. The next morning he stopped at the
Cabin and had a cup of coffee with Ruth and I.. He gave me his
name at the time and went on his way. Today, I received the
following letter from The Bike Man. The letter was written on
the blank backside of an eviction notice. I have typed the
letter just as he wrote it:

8-16-99
(6-4-5759)
Hi Jess
Tell your wife I said Hi, enjoyed the coffee and talking to you
guys that morning. Never before, nor since have I spent a night
in a place like that. Got here July 9,1997, slept between the
Holiday Inn and Urgent Care Center on the By-Pass behind some
Brushes, Later found me a place in the woods to sleep. Started
in pickin up cans for income, been doin some writing and once I
got a camera from dumpster begin takin some picture, sending you
one.

Never had entered anything I’d wrote or pictures in anything
till I got here. So far no money coming from them but I’ve given
out over 250 copys of the By-Pass to people I meet. Since my
social security don’t start till 2002, (if after y-2-k and
washington) leave anything there. It’s been different, ups and
downs but I’ve had some good comments abut poems, and what I’m
doin. Haven’t seen my daughter and son since June 7, 1997, call
them when I can get a phone card. She starts her 4th year
college on 22 of August 99.

The old 1944 Schwin-1 speed yeller bike you saw is still goin
strong. I want ot thank you again for takin in a stranger, as I
was really worn down that day. I had food and drink, but what I
needed was rest. So again thanks to hou and your wife, and the
other man and woman I met by takin the wrong gate and road. They
were very nice to someone lookin like me coming up the road in
thair woods. Since I never say good-by;
So Long
From the Bike Man!!!
HOLIES C .ABRELL
HOLIES C .ABRELL
GENERAL DELIVERY
GREENVILLE Tn 37743-9999 (This name and address had been typed
on the envelope, evidently, by a postal employee as it conforms
to postal regulation.)


A postscript: Also almost forgot The picture I’m sending is on
the World wide inter net at: WWW.thephotosite.com.

(The people he met by going through the gate were Kenneth and
Lois Gay, our nearest neighbor then. Kenneth died and Lois mover
to the state of Washington. Lois, What do you remember about
this?

The picture he mentions is titled, "The Bikeman with Desert
Storm Buddy, and Kids." It is for sale for $69.95 by some
outfit. Who is Desert Storm Buddy? Am I missing something?

JESS WILSON
POSSUM TROT ROAD
MANCHESTER KY 40962

This thread:

• [KYCLAY] LETTER FROM THE BIKEMAN by "Jess Wilson" <>