Photo essay: My time at EBliss

There was an overcast sky with a nice high temperature of 64 degrees on Saturday, April 27 - perfect for riding a bicycle.

I made my way to the new eBliss Experience Center in Clinton. I was greeted by a few workers who directed me to the sign-up sheet. “

I picked my camera up and began taking photographs of bicycles on display until I heard the voice of Bill Chromczak, owner of the business. He started gathering the others so that they could officially cut the ribbon.

Officials laid out a small test-driving course in the back on gravel. Some enthusiasts tried out bikes with gigantic tires, made for off-roading. Others tested bikes with more traditionally-sized tires.

I was there for well-over an hour and kept seeing these two youthful boys trying almost every bike available. Daniel Trevisani Jr. and his little brother Vincent were having a blast. It made me happy to see kids having a good time on a bicycle. Their father, Daniel, looked on with a huge smile.

It reminded me of my childhood days when I would ride my Huffy bicycle down Clinton Place, up Oneida Street, down James Street, then back down Kemble Street, repeatedly.

I wanted to get on a bike myself, but I had to remind myself I was there to work, not play. With that thought, I captured some more photographs of what I needed and then decided it was time to try one.

I only tried out two bikes: one for off-roading and the other for normal surfaces and casual riding. I reached 25 miles per hour on the off-roading bike and fell in love with it.

The bikes have interesting technology- they can even assist you in changing gears when going uphill. I had to constantly remind myself that I was test-driving these bicycles and didn’t own them, because I wanted to be a 10-year-old again and slam on the brakes as if I was riding motocross.

After I was finished, I took a glance at the time and realized I needed to get to a high school softball game. I shook hands with owner Bill Chromzcak and went on my way.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Photo essay: My time at EBliss