General Cycling Discussion - Old bikes don't die.

Today I took my old bike out for a ride (I had a few minor errands to run). I hadn't ridden it for a while, and it took a while to get used to it again, particularly as just about everything on it is now totally stuffed. Anyway, I spent the first few km trying to figure out just how I had managed over 1,000 commutes and two tours on the thing. It seemed as though I was pedalling like Lance Armstrong but going nowhere. I couldn't even accelerate without the chain slipping repeatedly.

For some unaccountable reason however, bike and rider soon started to bond. The old instincts were taking over, the pace was picking up and the chain wasn't slipping anymore. Before I knew it, I had caught, passed and dropped a car! I really am at a loss to explain why the old bike suddenly started working again. Now I'm seriously thinking about taking it out for a big ride tomorrow.

What is going on here?

Chris L...you forgot to tell us about falling. We want to know about how you fell off the amazing and magical old bike, please :D

Contrary to public opinion, Bicycles are alive and have feelings just like any other animate object. When you discarded your old one in favor of the new bike, its feelings were hurt and was going to show you who's in charge. So, in a fit of pique, it did just that when you resurrected it for this ride. But alas, its resolve was short lived and it remembered how sweet and good and kind you had been to it for all those other years and forgave you your transgressions and became the bicycle you had remembered with fondness.
But be careful when you put it away again. Show it that you still care; pet its saddle and rub down its frame, give the chain a squirt of lubricant. It will appreciate it and be ready and willing to take you anywhere the next time you need it.
Love dies hard, even in bicycles.

Originally posted by Nobby
Chris L...you forgot to tell us about falling. We want to know about how you fell off the amazing and magical old bike, please :D

On which occasion?

I know exactly how you feel. Over the 4th of July we went to Jacksonville, FL, I talked the wife into taking our bikes. I knew I wanted to ride on the beach so I took My old Mtb and her 7 year (New) mtb.
It was great being able to go cycling with my wife. She said she really enjoyed getting back on her bike.

Riding my old Mtb (Mongoose) really brought back some great memories. I put on a new chain, (too many links missing on old one), and New tubes (Old ones were patched) before the trip.
She was a little finiky at first but once I got her on some of the trails she really loosened up. She worked flawlessly, I think she really missed being out on the trail with me ( I think I actually told her that). I really enjoyed those days riding my old bike and I will try to give her a spin a little more often. She deserves at least that.

Ah yes, bikes have souls and personalities, if you love them, they will never let you down, no matter how much you beat them down. My old Jamis Diablo has not let me down in a MTB race yet, even when we were one huge flying mudball.

<=><

Sturdy, reliable components do the trick too :D

You have became more experienced over time?