tuffdog

Hi, Everyone, I'm currently living in Chicago. Born and raised in the Midwest, I have lived in Michigan, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, New York and Illinois. I am currently getting back into riding. After researching Bicycle Touring, I became intrigued with the idea of fixing up a suitable Mountain Bike for that purpose (after learning that many old mountain bikes or all-terrain bikes had frame geometries that were compatible with touring, and I guess the idea of having a touring bike that could have fatter tires and tour off-road as well as on appealed to me). I happened upon this site: https://gypsybytrade.wordpress.com/ and read about the old Schwinn ATB's, particularly the Schwinn High Sierra. I liked what I read about the bike and how the author had taken it all over the world and even toured the Continental Divide from North to South on one of these bikes. He claimed that out of all the bikes he's owned, this was his favorite. I was impressed, and set out to find a vintage High Sierra in great shape, which I purchased on ebay last year. I rode it all year in the Chicago area, added a Tubus CargoEvo rack, which unfortunately recently got stolen while my bike was locked to a city rack outside (it's Chicago). Also stolen was my original saddle, seat post, seat post clamp, pedals and two folding Wald baskets (attached to the Tubus of course). This was rather disheartening, but I at the same time, I was glad the rest of the bike wasn't stolen, as another second-hand bike I bought off Craigslist last Summer with the intention of giving it to my sister was (Novara Aspen - Stolen 4 hours after I purchased it!). Thankfully, my High Sierra was protected by a great little Abus 40 lock and a 7-Cable, or I probably wouldn't have it now. I plan on working on it this Winter, as it's still sitting in the corner of my apartment with no pedals, no saddle and no seat post. I have thought about completely rebuilding it. Anyway, this has been a pretty long-winded introduction (it's the Windy City, afterall), but I just really wanted to say hi, and I'm looking forward to being part of your excellent forum!

obed7

welcome to the forums. Sorry about your loss and good luck with your project.

tuffdog

Thanks, Obed7!

Cyclosaurus

Welcome. Sorry for your theft troubles. I won't ever leave my bike locked up in the city of Chicago. Either I take my folder with me anywhere I go, or I keep my bike in a secure place (like my office) and use Divvy bikes to get around. It's probably my favorite thing about living in the suburbs is not worrying about my bike when I lock it up.

tuffdog

Thanks, Cyclosaurus. I was living in Iriving Park when the thefts occurred to the High Sierra. The Novara was stolen when it was parked outside a Home Depot in Avondale, only a short time after I purchased it. I had locked it to a fence, unfortunately, I didn't realize the fence had posts that moved up and down. The bike was stolen along with its lock and cable. Now I live in the South Loop, and I keep my bike in my apartment when not in use. Chicago has to be one of the worst cities for bike thefts.