Road Cycling - Getting Started Again

After a 10 year hiatus I am returning to riding. My 11 year old bike has Columbus Max, Dura-Ace, Time Peds. I am blown away by advancements in equipment improvements. When I had my bike built it was state of the art (steel anyway). Are their many riders out there that still have their shifters on the down tube like me?

Anyway, any advice on exercise routines for getting back into riding shape that compliment riding oneself into shape?

One of my bikes is an '83 Bianci San Remo, shifters on the down tube still a very good bike for 20 years old and who knows how many miles. Welcome back I took about 10 years off and have been riding again for 2 years got to love it!

My old racing bike, which I still have, is a Viscount. It was a British made bike, frame out of something called chrome-moly, which at the time was used in aircraft tubing. Shimano Dura and the shifters are on the down tube...only 10 speeds, too.

A few years ago I went to have it serviced as I wanted to ride it again. The mechanic had to send for a special tool to get the cassette off the rear wheel.

It's a great bike. Or was...

Lots of riders with shifters on the downtube. Integrated shifters won't make you faster.How about a trade for that old MAX POS for a nice Cannondale caad4 in a 57cm?

I have downtube shifters!

I like them, I tried riding my friend's bike w/ STIs, and i kept braking every time i shifted...I was a tad frustrating, i guess it just takes practice.

I like my downtube shifters though, they're really smooth. (you can barely hear the chain move from chainring to chainring...sweet. My bike is older then yours, too. Its a 20 year-old bianchi

Chrome-moly is a steel alloy that has high levels or chromium and molybdenum in the mix. Makes the steel a little stronger and harder than standard alloys.
I think it welds better too, but I could be wrong.

ChipR

Generic chromo has been the standad for relatively low-mid range bike for years.It's above Hi-ten and plumbers pipe.The higher strength chromo is heattreated.If it was an old 5 speed,it was a freewheel.

How about a trade for that old MAX POS for a nice Cannondale caad4 in a 57cm?

Pokey, thanks for the offer. I'll pass. Besides At 240 lbs and 6'1" I'm big:)

Col Max tubing is so beautiful <sigh>

took three months off, just three months and it is hell, so i feel ya on this one, just keep with it and have fun!