Chereads / A PHYSIAST'S TIME TRAVELL JOURNEY / Chapter 20 - The Birth of the Electric Bicycle

Chapter 20 - The Birth of the Electric Bicycle

Chance woke up in the soft luxury of the suite, and before long, the hotel staff brought in a sumptuous breakfast. He drank a rich cup of milk and had a few slices of salmon on toast. Deciding to take a walk, he ventured out into the bustling streets.

As he walked through the crowded streets, he resolved to use his newfound wealth to create something extraordinary in this era, to prove his worth after Lisa had scorned him for his poverty.

This was the 1980s, a decade full of opportunities. A million dollars was a significant sum, enough for Chance to kickstart a project and make his dreams come true. He remembered Lisa's disdain for his poverty and silently vowed to use this money to accumulate more wealth and prove his value.

But where to begin his entrepreneurial journey? He wandered aimlessly, deep in thought, until he spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It was his old friend, Daniel. Daniel was one of the few people from this era who knew Chance. Despite his own struggles, Daniel remained a loyal friend.

Daniel had poor eyesight, especially at night—a condition later diagnosed as night blindness. He was standing by a small stall, trying to sell bicycles.

"Daniel!" Chance called out as he hurried over.

Daniel turned around, squinting, then broke into a wide smile.

"Chance! It's so good to see you, my friend."

They embraced, and Chance quickly noticed the lack of customers.

"How's business?" he asked, glancing at the rows of unsold bicycles.

Daniel sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I've been here for days and haven't sold a single thing."

"Why not?" Chance frowned. "Bicycles are still in demand, aren't they?"

Daniel shook his head, "Not like they used to be. People with money are buying cars now. The average person can't afford a car, but they already have bicycles. And bicycles… well, they're just not as fast or convenient as cars."

Daniel then asked, "I heard you got divorced."

Chance's happy expression faded. "Yeah, three days ago."

"Good riddance. Lisa was a promiscuous woman. I saw her getting into Tony's car countless times. I was wondering if I should tell you before," Daniel replied angrily.

As they chatted, an idea suddenly flashed in Chance's mind. His deep-rooted knowledge of physics and engineering came to the forefront. "What if there was a way to make bicycles as fast and convenient as cars?" he muttered to himself.

Daniel looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Chance?"

Chance's eyes lit up. "Daniel, electric bicycles. Bicycles equipped with a small motor to assist with pedaling, making long trips and uphill rides less tiring. Most importantly, they would be affordable for the average person because they're cheaper than cars!"

Daniel's eyes widened with curiosity and skepticism. "Electric bicycles? I've never heard of such a thing. How does it work?"

Chance quickly sketched a basic design on a piece of paper. "We'll mount a small electric motor onto the bicycle frame. The motor will be powered by a rechargeable battery that can be charged using a standard power outlet. With the motor's assistance, the bicycle can go faster and be easier to ride."

Daniel scrutinized the sketch, frowning. "It sounds incredible, but can it really be done? And you're divorced; Lisa must have taken everything from you. You should think about where your next meal is coming from."

Seeing Daniel's doubtful expression, Chance decided to bring him to the hotel suite.

Within minutes, they arrived at the entrance of the Sheraton Hotel. Daniel gazed in awe at the grand entrance.

"Chance, are you sure you're staying here? You're not joking, right?"

"Come on, my friend. Follow me."

Chance led Daniel into the hotel, where the staff courteously helped them into the elevator. They arrived at Room 2302, the largest suite in the hotel, with a view overlooking the city. Daniel walked into the room, wide-eyed.

"Chance, is this for real? I can't believe my eyes," Daniel said, stunned.

Chance nodded confidently.

"Absolutely. I have enough money to design electric bikes, and with my knowledge, we can make it a reality. This could be the start of something big, Daniel. It could change our lives."

Daniel's skepticism slowly gave way to excitement.

"If you think it's possible, Chance, then I believe you. But where do we start?"

Chance smiled, feeling a surge of determination.

"First, we need to find a workshop and gather materials. I'll handle the design and engineering, and you'll help with assembly and testing. Together, we'll create the first electric bicycle."

The two friends spent the next few days scouring the city for the parts they needed. They rented a small workshop, bought motors, batteries, and bicycle frames. Chance threw himself into the project, using his extensive knowledge and experience. He worked late into the night, driven by his vision and desire to change his circumstances.

Daniel proved to be an excellent assistant, meticulously following Chance's instructions and contributing his practical insights. They worked tirelessly, and soon, the first prototype of their electric bicycle began to take shape.

One evening, as they were putting the finishing touches on the bike, Chance stepped back to admire their creation. The sleek design and sturdy structure filled him with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation.

"Tomorrow, we'll test it," he said excitedly. "If it runs as planned, this could revolutionize transportation for ordinary people."

Daniel nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Let's hope so. This could be our ticket to a better future."

As they locked up the workshop and prepared to leave, Chance couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something extraordinary. Success wasn't guaranteed, but the path ahead was filled with potential. He was ready to face whatever challenges came their way.

The next morning, the city was abuzz with energy. Chance and Daniel returned to the workshop, eager to test their invention. Under the workshop lights, the electric bicycle gleamed, a testament to their hard work and ingenuity.

"Let's do this," Chance said, his voice steady and determined.

Daniel nodded, his expression a mix of excitement and nervousness. "No big deal."

Chance climbed onto the bike, his heart racing with anticipation. He started the motor and gently pedaled, and the bike took off. The motor hummed quietly, smoothly assisting his pedaling. He rode around the workshop, feeling the ease with which the bike moved. It was much faster than a regular bicycle and required much less effort.

"It works!" Chance exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

Daniel watched in awe, his face lighting up with joy.

"You did it, Chance! It really works!"

With Chance's help, Daniel also got on the electric bike.

"Haha, look, Chance! I feel like I'm flying!" Daniel said excitedly.

Daniel rode the bike out onto the street, drawing curious looks from passersby. He pedaled effortlessly, the motor propelling him forward with ease. It was a success beyond their wildest dreams.

They spent the entire day testing the bike, making minor adjustments and fine-tuning the design. By evening, they were confident they had a breakthrough product.

"We need to get this out to the market," Chance said, his mind racing with possibilities. "We need a production line… this could be huge."

Daniel nodded, sharing Chance's enthusiasm.

"Let's get started. Let's make this happen."

Chance knew they had a long road ahead, but for the first time in a long while, he felt genuinely hopeful. He had a goal, a vision, and the means to achieve it. He was determined to turn this opportunity into success, not just to prove his worth to Lisa but also to himself.

That night, as they each went their separate ways, Chance felt a sense of fulfillment. Though he didn't know where his knowledge came from, he was happy and also curious about the origins of his fragmented memories.