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12-28-06, 01:26 PM
Since I just got promoted from "Newbie" to "Junior Member", I thought I'd better write a little intro. Since I just turned 67, it feels good to be called "junior" anything! I am retired from a few careers, from insurance underwriter to field engineer, and even an attempt at sales and a short stint as a bike mechanic while between better paying jobs. Working at the bike shop was the most fun by far, and I got to ride to work as well keeping me in better shape than I am now. My part-time job was as tenor soloist and section leader for my church and some local choral groups - hence my screen name of Tenordl.
I bought my first really good bike when I was 15. Everyone thought I was crazy, as back then the normal thing to do was to abandon bikes and start driving cars at 16, but having been going on AYH (American Youth Hostels) rides, I was hooked on cycling and knew I would be keeping my new 8-speed French bike for a long time. In fact, I still have it! Bought used for $75 in 1955, the Chemineau is still very rideable, indeed, and even won a prize at the only bicycle show I ever went to. This past summer it won "Best French" bicycle in the Lars Anderson Bicycle Show held at the museum outside of Boston. The bike is interesting because Chemineau made the first commercially available derailleur and never changed the design for as long as they continued making bicycles.
I never considered myself a collector, I just have a problem with throwing stuff away. I have included some of my bikes in the pictures below, but there are more waiting to be put back together or parted out, or something before my wife throws them out!
I bought my first really good bike when I was 15. Everyone thought I was crazy, as back then the normal thing to do was to abandon bikes and start driving cars at 16, but having been going on AYH (American Youth Hostels) rides, I was hooked on cycling and knew I would be keeping my new 8-speed French bike for a long time. In fact, I still have it! Bought used for $75 in 1955, the Chemineau is still very rideable, indeed, and even won a prize at the only bicycle show I ever went to. This past summer it won "Best French" bicycle in the Lars Anderson Bicycle Show held at the museum outside of Boston. The bike is interesting because Chemineau made the first commercially available derailleur and never changed the design for as long as they continued making bicycles.
I never considered myself a collector, I just have a problem with throwing stuff away. I have included some of my bikes in the pictures below, but there are more waiting to be put back together or parted out, or something before my wife throws them out!