Bike Forums - Newbie Intro

Hey. I am an oldie at 63, but (I hope) a goodie. I live in Langley, B.C., where there are tons of excellent roads for biking in relative peace.

My first real bike was a red CCM that I got for Christmas when I was about 10. I would get up early and ride this bike before breakfast. I remember one day in particular. I was approaching a parked car, when I heard a car behind me. Uncertain as to what to do, I rode into the back bumper of the parked car and hurt my privates on the stem. As I was writhing on the ground, one of my teachers walked by on her way to school. She asked where I hurt. When I pointed this out....she walked away.

The next bike I remember was one given to me by a friend while in university. A Legnano (at least I think that was the name). Rode tons of miles on this bike. No helmet or gloves, jeans, strapped in running shoes. Then got married and that was the end of the bike.

In 1994, and after a second divorce, I decided to buy another road bike. I bought a very cheap and very orange Diamondback. Turns out that one of my employees (15 years my junior) was an ex-racer and he invited me to join him and his fellow ex-racers that were just getting back into road riding after the usual buying a house and having kids stuff was done. Bought a Maranoni the next year. Rode with the guys every weekend....usually at the back. I did this for a few years until they were much fitter than I, and my lower back really became a problem. Dropped cycling for hiking and photography and sold the bikes. But I missed those early morning rides.

Bought a Specialized Hardrock in 2008, along with a rack and bag. Didn't take long to get tired of being passed by faster bikes.

Bought a Trek FX7.3 in 2009. Rode it on a rocky path about 4 weeks after I got it, and my tailbone flaired up a week later. I couldn't sit down without one of those blow-up donut thingies. Getting old can be a *****.

I am now thinking of buying another road bike after doing a few hundred kilo's on the Trek this year with no apparent issues.

Sorry for the long story.