Introductions - Riding old Touring Bike in Cambria

Hi, all:
I just got my Motobecane Touring bike dusted off and brought up to usuable shape. Bikes are hugely fun and the most effecient movers of people on planet.
I live in Cambria CA. Have been self employed for last 30 years as a potter, then wood carver. In addition, am caring for my wife, who has Huntington's Disease. I try to get out to ride twice a week, and am working on building leg strength.
Years back, my wife rode in many countries in Europe. She and I did a trip in France along Normandy Coast, then into Paris. When she no longer needs me, I hope to do that again.
efsculpt

Hello efsculpt, you are lucky that your Moto is still in good shape. It can be a nuisance when dealing with french threaded bottom brackets and headsets and all that other good stuff!

Building up your leg strength is a great idea. I have a lot of hills to climb locally, and I have gotten quite good at getting up some stiff climbs with just my 12 gears (I have mostly just 10 and 12 speed bikes).

Do you have any examples of your work to show us? I am sorry to hear about your wife's limits--it would be nice to have her be able to join you, but I take it that her Huntington's has progressed beyond the point where keeping active physically is possible?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thank you for your reply. Though I am almost all wholesale I do have a website that has some photos of past work- [URL="http://www.elfinforestsculpture.com"]/URL]- check the "About Us" page
Just after I joined the Forum, my brakes went out on my truck, therefore I couldn't get bike to a decent riding spot. I just got the new brake lines, so hope to have truck going by end of week. I was surprised how much I miss riding, the small amount I do. We have "wonderful" (an oxymoron?) hills here, but not quite ready for them- yet.
The bike is in good shape. I rebuilt it just before it sat for 25 years. I moved the shifters to the handle bars- much better. Am finding out I'm on an "antique" - but a well built, strong one, which is important for long rides, loaded(the bike:). Oh, what are french threaded bottom brackets- is that the pedel hub? I think the threads are metric?.
My wife tried to ride back in '94 but when she executed a involuntary spiral crash right in front of a UPS truck (he stopped=good driver) we knew that was it! Even then her balance was deteriorating- though we didn't know why. She is a determined walker along the ocean, now.
So, I ride when I can and check out biking in Europe books. One thing I found we in the US seem to know little about are fenders. They are essential in wet riding (Europe), as; not only does a rider look like a reverse skunk on the back but muddy water spraying in the face is dangerious. Yet I see very few of them here- even on "traveling bikes".
Anyone mucked about with lighting.? Generator vs Battery. Durability?
Craig

"The spirit is like a tea bag, you never know how strong it is until you're in hot water."
anonymous

Wow! Your work is beautiful, I don't know even which is my favourite piece. The horseshoe crab, though, is so elegant in it's simplicity...but then the Bewick's wren is very nice...and the Black-crowned Night Heron...

Do you do any commissioned art work?

French threaded BBs are nominally 35mm x 1mm, and right-hand threads on both sides. They are obsolete, so difficult to obtain parts (although they can be had, and if you visit the C & V forum, you can always post in the 'iso/wtb' thread if necessary :) .

That is a shame for your wife, but at least she is able to get out and walk on the beach. The walking on sand is probably sufficient exercise (at least I always find it rather more strenuous than walking on a sidewalk!), even if it does not take her as far as a bicycle could get her.

If you lived in Seattle and commuted, you would know that we use mudguards here :) . In many places in the western United States, though, they are seen as unnecessary encumbrances.

Lastly, there is an entire forum devoted to lighting! Check out the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum.

East Hill

Dear East Hill:
Thanks for the compliment on my work. It's interesting that the more "fine art" pieces I have made were the hardest to sell. Never did comission work- no time. I like the "Horseshoe Crab" too.
I didn't realize the threads on my French bike were so contrary. I'll keep forum in mind if parts are needed.
Mudguards are a better name and I can imagine how essential they would be in the PNW. Here in So. Cal. much less common, though they are still helpful as Gravelguards. Now, if one was in Washington, D.C. what kind of guard would they be?
I'll check out the light forum,
Thanks for all the good info,
Craig