'My bike is my gym, my church, and my wheelchair' - Bill Walton on what his bicycle truly meant to him

When you think of the late Bill Walton, you might not imagine him riding a bike. After all, extremely tall people—and the legendary center stood at 6'11"—can sometimes look a bit awkward on two wheels. However, "Big Red" never let that hold him back. In fact, the former two-time All-Star was a genuine enthusiast when it came to his bicycle and cycling.

"I love my bike. My bike is everything to me. My bike is my gym, my church, and my wheelchair. My bike is everything that I believe in going on in the Biosphere. It's science, it's technology, it's the future, engineering, metallurgy - you name it, it's right there in my bike. My bike is the most important and valuable thing that I have," remarked Wallton, per epicrides.

Walton always followed his own path

The legendary Walton was known for marching to the beat of his own drum, unconcerned with others' opinions or actions. This was clear in many ways. He was one of the first vegetarians in the NBA, a political activist who spoke out against the Vietnam War, and a devoted fan of the "Grateful Dead"—a musical preference that likely set the 1978 MVP apart from other players of his time.

Furthermore, "Big Red" had a unique take on getting around compared to his NBA peers. While many likely opted for fancy cars, the California native preferred biking, once explaining, "It allows me to go places I couldn't reach any other way."

One of the most famous instances of Walton's bike preference occurred during the 1978 NBA Finals celebrations with the Portland Trail Blazers, the youngest team ever to win a title. While the freshly crowned champions celebrated wildly, the Finals MVP had a simpler concern: locating his favorite mode of transport, which had disappeared during the festivities. He summed it up perfectly, stating, "At some point, I'm going to have to get home."

The joy of cycling

When "Big Red" talked about his bike and cycling, his eyes sparkled with excitement. A statement from February 2020 highlighted this feeling.

"I am the luckiest guy in the world because I am alive and I can ride my bike," the Hall of Famer said. "It is the ultimate celebration of life when you go out there and are able to do what you can do."

Unfortunately, pain-free sports weren't always possible for Bill. Throughout his 13 challenging NBA seasons, injuries took a heavy toll. Even after retiring in 1988, the UCLA legend underwent more surgeries, and the pain continued. As a result, Walton remembered being unable to enjoy playing ball or taking a simple walk for over 30 years.

However, he did mention that he could still ride his bike, which brought happiness to one of the greatest NCAA athletes ever. One can only hope that until Walton's passing in May 2024, he was able to continue doing what he loved.