50 years since the training wheels came off

[Jim Mather]

I'm turning 55 this year, and although I'm not much for birthdays, I
realized it will be a half-century of bicycling. In short:
1. Schwinn Stingray with banana seat (it could hold at least 5 kids
with the sissy bar -- I'm sure some of you did that too);
2. Then swapped banana seat for a regular bike seat and slapped on
motorcycle bars and we were bmx'ing before that term was invented;
3. Schwinn Newsboy for delivering papers, of course, but also for
bombing down dirt downhills in San Diego canyons, not Marin;
4. Saved money and bought my first 10-speed, a Schwinn Continental --
the bike that made me realize the whole city was now accessible
without a car;
5. Saved more money and bought a Schwinn Superior (the budget
Paramount) -- did my first bike touring on this when Bikecentennial
was fresh;
6. Took the Superior to college, where it was stolen, but got a cheap
old Raleigh 3-speed that was perfect for getting around the small New
England city;
7. Moved back to California and reclaimed the Continental from my dad
-- rode all over LA with it until it was stolen;
8. Got a UJB (Azuki if anyone remembers those), which performed fine
for recreation and commuting;
9. Eventually got a real job and made enough money to get a Trek 620
for touring and a Paramount for racing (also started mtb'ing too)
10. Both of those bikes were bought when I was younger and the
philosophy was to get as small as you could; realized Grant's ideas
worked for me, and now I own 3 Riv's, and assorted other bikes.

So if you got through that, my question is "what do I do to celebrate
this milestone?".

thanks
jim m
walnut creek ca

[wrharper]

Is this a trick question?  You buy another bike, then go for a ride!

Russ "just ordered a Boulder myself" Harper in Sunny Seattle, WA

[Zack]

this clearly calls for another bike.

[lungimsam]

Every year, on your birthday, you could go for a ride with mileage the same as how old you are.

[lungimsam]

PS - Happy Birthday, and congrats on so many years of cycling fun. What a blessing!

[Lyle Bogart]

Happy Birthday, Jim! I agree with both the "get another bike" and do a "birthday ride" suggestion. I typically do a birthday ride--usually on my Rawland fixed gear--selecting a route that puts me in the vicinity of good food & drink :)

Cheers!

lyle

On 30 August 2012 21:27, lungimsam <john1...@gmail.com> wrote:

PS - Happy Birthday, and congrats on so many years of cycling fun. What a blessing!

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lyle f bogart dpt

156 bradford rd

wiscasset, me 04578

207.882.6494

206.794.6937

[Jim Mather]

Thanks for the good wishes! I've been doing the "ride your age in miles" for a while, but I hadn't thought of getting a new bike (lightbulb goes on). I should have been more specific with my request. I'm looking for ideas for a special ride. Something on the order of a week or less would be good. I'd like to do the Continental Divide route, but I don't have a month to spare this year (maybe at 65).

thanks
jim