Introductions - Hello from NRH TX

Hello,

My name is John. I've recently picked up cycling once again. Use to train and race with my younger brother years ago. I have so many fond memories from those times. My younger brother became my best friend for many years. He was a bike mechanic at a local bike shop in Amarillo TX at the time. And actually built my Pinarello up for me. I recently had my bike tuned up and made ready for the road once again.

Cycling was something I did primarily to spend time with my brother. Unfortunately he was killed in a car accident in 1996. The thought of spending time on my bike after that seemed pointless and void of any joy. So it was placed in the attic for the last 11 years.

Well a couple of friends convinced my wife and I to start cycling with them once again. And I'm actually glad they did. I've really enjoyed getting back into the sport. I'm astonished how far I used to ride compared to how my butt feels after a few miles now... And boy has the technology changed a bit in the last 15 years. So steel frames are out now huh? And my old white cycling shoes remind me of something Pat Boone would wear. :)

Anyway, I look forward to reading and interacting on the forum. Something else that wasn't available back then.

Take care,
John

Welcome aboard, John!

There are some of us that are confirmed Lug steel retrogrouches.....I'm one! I love old steel!

Hello John, that is a sad thing to happen to your brother. It is good to know that you have gotten back to cycling though...we would love to see photos of the Pinarello.

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thank you for the welcome...

I'll see if I can get some pics up soon.

John, welcome back! Sorry to hear about your brother, but maybe this will be a good way to keep some happy memories fresh?

Pics of the Pin would be cool. Oh and you've been out so long that white shoes are coming back in style! :D

My belated condolencses on the loss of your brother. I bet he is looking down and smiling as you get back on the bike. Welcome to the forums.

John, welcome back! Sorry to hear about your brother, but maybe this will be a good way to keep some happy memories fresh?

Pics of the Pin would be cool. Oh and you've been out so long that white shoes are coming back in style! :D


It is, thanks!

Went to buy some new shoes yesterday and ended up getting new white ones - just couldn't go black. The kid in the store helping me got quite a laugh at my old shoes. Said he'd never seen that model before. Told him "hell you probably weren't even alive when these were made." :)

Here's some pics of the Pinarello - not the best pics, but you'll get the general idea:


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/IMG_2536-web.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/IMG_2537-web.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/IMG_2538-adj.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/IMG_2539-web.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/IMG_2540-web.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/IMG_2541-web.jpg

Hey John, somewhere in the C & V forum there's a thread about the old style shoes...I wound up getting two pairs from fellow C & V members because I have tiny feet (size 37!). They are black, though, with 'drillium' holes everywhere :D .

East Hill

Thats very nice! The white shoes will match nicely :D

I like the splashes of red with the water bottles, pedals, and what appears to be an Avocet cyclocomputer :) . Paniolo's right, the white shoes will be brilliant with the rest of the bike.

East Hill

I've recently picked up cycling once again.
Anyway, I look forward to reading and interacting on the forum.

Welcome to the forums. The bicycle hasn't changed THAT much, but some. I have two 80's steel lugged bikes. A new ('04) lugged steel bike and a full carbon bike (2000). They all get ridden. The new ones are favored for their Campy Ergo shifters and 10 speed cassettes, but the older ones have more fond memories and sometimes yield the most remembered rides.

My belated condolencses on the loss of your brother. I bet he is looking down and smiling as you get back on the bike. Welcome to the forums.

Thank you very much.

Panilol and East Hill,

Thanks for the fashion advise.:lol:

Here's the kicker - the Specialized Pro Carbon shoes I just ordered are white with some red trim. So I'm really good to go now. (Inner voice) Hope getting back into cycling is not making me metrosexual. Better get to the range and do some shooting this weekend to break the trend...:D)

Welcome to the forums. The bicycle hasn't changed THAT much, but some. I have two 80's steel lugged bikes. A new ('04) lugged steel bike and a full carbon bike (2000). They all get ridden. The new ones are favored for their Campy Ergo shifters and 10 speed cassettes, but the older ones have more fond memories and sometimes yield the most remembered rides.

I hear ya. Not thinking of doing many changes to her. I do need some new wheels, mine are a bit past being able to be trued. The new shifters would be nice though...

Panilol and East Hill,

Thanks for the fashion advise.:lol:

Here's the kicker - the Specialized Pro Carbon shoes I just ordered are white with some red trim. So I'm really good to go now. (Inner voice) Hope getting back into cycling is not making me metrosexual. Better get to the range and do some shooting this weekend to break the trend...:D)

Whoa! Too cool, there.

The shooting ought to convince us that you are a normal Texan, though :D . What kind of shooting? Pistol, rifle, shotgun?

East Hill

I prefer tactical and long range training and competition shooting. But if a good hunt comes along I'm not likely to turn it down.:)


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/May07010.jpg


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/Jan06002.jpg

If I were a wild pig I would not be messin' with you :) .

Is that a ghillie suit, or just camo?

East Hill

If I were a wild pig I would not be messin' with you :) .

Is that a ghillie suit, or just camo?

East Hill


Full Ghillie.


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/red-pigdaylight.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Fongman/005_5copy.jpg


:D

You should come up here to Washington and clear out some of the local pigs. There's not even a season for them...:D , the Washington FWD just want to get rid of them before they get established.

East Hill

They are a blast to hunt. It's amazing what kind of destruction they can do to land. You could view a newly planted field one evening and then the next morning it looks like the field was carpet bombed by a B-52 strike. Dang near impossible to exterminate, they reproduce so fast.

Welcome, LSHD. Somehow, I think you might appreciate this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=328856). :)

Welcome, LSHD. Somehow, I think you might appreciate this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=328856). :)

What a great story......after the fact.

Thanks for the welcome and link.

John