Commuting - The First Bike I Ever Had...

I was shopping around for some parts and I came across this little blast from the past sitting in front of one of the LBSs here in town. Other than the new rear wheel (and tire) this appears to be the completely stock and is the exact same bike that my parents bought for me to learn on. It's a CCM Swinger (circa early 70s). The top bar is convertible to make it a boy's or girl's frame. I asked if it was for sale but it was a customer's bike. Ahh... the memories!

http://imgur.com/A06S6l.jpg

Not a bad-looking Nishiki behind it, either... maybe I should have asked about that one!

Here's a pic of me and my first ride... ca 1972, Kiapaupau loop, Hauula, Oahu Hawaii

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2893664373_e9b9010c32.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufobike/2893664373/)

Funny thing is, ran into another guy who lives in Hauula, next block over on Sunday. Small World!

My first bike was a men's delivery bike. (I didn't learn to ride until I was 12, and already 5'-6") It weighed about 50 pounds and was incredibly ugly, but it was fun beating boys on little 3-speed low rider type bikes who challenged me to races. I don't think anyone ever explained wheel size and gearing to them. :)
I remember those CCMs with the adjustable top tube. My mother thought they were a great idea and bought one for my youngest brother and my sister. Of course my brother cringed and wouldn't be seen dead on it. It was the uncoolest bike ever in his universe, due to being girl-bike convertible.

My first bike was a men's delivery bike. (I didn't learn to ride until I was 12, and already 5'-6") It weighed about 50 pounds and was incredibly ugly, but it was fun beating boys on little 3-speed low rider type bikes who challenged me to races. I don't think anyone ever explained wheel size and gearing to them. :)
I remember those CCMs with the adjustable top tube. My mother thought they were a great idea and bought one for my youngest brother and my sister. Of course my brother cringed and wouldn't be seen dead on it. It was the uncoolest bike ever in his universe, due to being girl-bike convertible.
I don't remember having such misgivings. I guess I was comfortable with my masculinity even back then. :D

My first bike was a Raleigh BMX, I think the model was Burner...black and red. It was beautiful, but I was 8 and had no appreciation for it. My friends all had Huffys with plastic wheels and I had this much lighter bike with spokes...I wanted one of those cool Huffys like all of my friends had!

It ended up stolen while I was at a playground...I miss that bike.

I remember those convertible bikes!

I don't remember what bicycle I learned on as a kid, but the bike I got for Christmas as a teenage was a black Sears three-speed Free Spirit (circa 1971.) It did the job.

I'm not sure what the brand name of my very first bike was, but it was a small red and white "fixie". My second bike, the one that I can clearly remember, was an early 50's Indian Chief 3 speed. The Indian 3 speed would be far too small for me now, but it would definitely be a collector's item if I still had it today.

After searching extensively on the internet, like the OP, I found a Varsity that was very similar to my first commuter bike in the LBS's cycle rack, but it was for sale!

I only remember that my very first bike was red & white, 12 or 16" wheels and my 70 yr old (at the time) grandfather looked very funny on it.

My first bike was an Auto Mini, I hated it. My parents were convinced by the salesman at our LBS that it was the "coolest" bike around, if I could only find that a******e now :lol:
It was a bloody ugly, heavy, folder that I never locked up, knowing that no one would ever steal it, and no-one ever did!!! I wanted a Raleigh Chopper damnit :notamused:

My first bike was an Auto Mini, I hated it. My parents were convinced by the salesman at our LBS that it was the "coolest" bike around, if I could only find that a******e now :lol:
It was a bloody ugly, heavy, folder that I never locked up, knowing that no one would ever steal it, and no-one ever did!!! I wanted a Raleigh Chopper damnit :notamused:
I can relate... I wanted the Chopper, too! My parents almost redeemed themselves with my next bike:

http://imgur.com/A8IQo.jpg

Mine was a little different than this one with a blue frame and a metallic red & blue coloured banana seat, but otherwise identical. The 3-speed IGH came with a sucky thumb shifter instead of the Chopper's cool, top tube-mounted console one. Still, I wish I'd kept both bikes!

My first bike was a "Police Auction Special". My dad bought all of our 1st bikes through this source. I think mine was $5. Nothing all that exciting, but forever special.