(Thanks so much to volunteer Kathy Zimany for sharing this story. If you have a story to share about your fruit picking adventures, by all means send it along to info@notfarfromthetree.org.)

I really like fruit, so I began volunteering with Not Far From The Tree and when the eNewsletter advertised for Supreme Gleaners, I applied.

At my training session, I was itching to take the cargo bike for a spin.  It was pitiful!  I could not keep it balanced.  It was nothing short of a disaster as I wobbled down the street.  Another saintly Supreme Gleaner trainee held my seat as I peddled, like my Dad did when I was five.  On my own, I briefly managed to steer it straighter uphill.  I definitely needed more practice and thankfully Not Far From The Tree’s Community Engagement Specialist Becky Thomas sent emails inviting new Supreme Gleaners to “bond with a bike”.

On that hot July day, I strode onto the Farmers’ Market scene.  The sky was overcast as I met my friend Carol in Dufferin Grove Park where we eagerly rustled up fresh tacos and chocolate drinks at the ChocoSol stand.  The sun’s rays chased away the clouds as we waited on a bench until Becky arrived.

Upon opening the storage facility, tucked away in a quiet laneway, there they were—two cargo bikes.  One of them was already loaded up with a container of supplies.

Like Clint Eastwood, I squinted in the blazing sun at Becky steering the beast down the lane.  It was my turn to ride. I adjusted my helmet, gripped the handlebars and gritted my teeth.  I rode tall in the saddle and peddled faster up and down the lane.  I ran that beast over gravel, road ruts and a sewer grate.  It was no lie, the weight of the container added stability.  Carol reined it in and drove it like a pro.  Within an hour all was over but time well spent.  My friend and I bantered as we walked off into the sunset.