10 Years, 68th Birthday
10 Years and 68th Birthday
In November, I will be 68, and also it will be near my 10th anniversary of "serious" bicycling.
Here is a post I wrote on Rec.bicycles.misc on March 17, 1999 (the earliest appropriate post I could find) in response to someone asking about a new bike.
"Dorothy, I started about 1.3 yrs ago.
Don't be too impressed by all those who state you must buy a very expensive
bike to see if you like the sport.
I started with a Specialized Hard Rock, their best model, at about $285.00.
With a few accessories and clothing got to about $400.00 Added slick tires and
tubes with slime.
In any event, have put 3,400 miles on that little bike, a per mile cost of
about 11 cents, and still going. Replaced a upgraded a couple of things this
year at $175.00.
Rode a 360 mile ride over the Rockies, also.
Was I slower than the Road Bikes? - YES!!
Did I have a ball? - YES.
Have I bought a new Road Bike this year? - YES
Do I still ride the Specialized and have a ball on it? - YES
The net result was that for a minimum expenditure I was able to find out if I
enjoyed biking in today's world before committing major funds to an expensive
road bike.
Heck, before I bought the Specialized, I tooled around the neighborhood and
trails on a $15.00 ten speed I bought at a garage sale. I also had a lot of
fun on that bike.
It is the biking that is fun. The better bike only makes it MORE enjoyable. "
Here is a picture of me 10 years ago at age 58, "Riding the Rockies" in June, 1998, on that mtn bike. It was taken on the "Peak to Peak" highway between Ward and Estes Park.
It appears that things haven't changed much in my attitude during 10 years!
I hope the next 10 years are as much fun!
Last edited by DnvrFox; 10-07-07 at 06:45 AM.