Greetings from Anoka, Minnesota.
06-11-14, 12:18 PM
#1
Newbie
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Anoka, Minnesota
Posts: 1
Bikes: Kuwahara, 1978; Peugeot UO10, 1982; Triumph, 50's; Giant Sedona, and a Schwinn Tandem
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Greetings from Anoka, Minnesota.
I am not originally from Minnesota; I hail from California - though I have not resided there since 1977. I am 54 years old and have been riding a bicycle since age 12.
I worked odd jobs (very odd for very odd people) all summer in 1972 trying to save enough money to buy a Peugeot like the ones the rich kids road. Remember those? Always white and always had some brat perched on it. I managed to save $145.00 but I could only afford a Juenet. I rode that bike 30 miles a day to school. I lived in Soquel, California and went to school in Santa Cruz.
I joined the Air Force in 1977 and was stationed in Germany. When I got out in 1981 I went to work for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas building F-16’s. I had given my bike to friend for safe keeping while I was in the service and... probably don't need to finish that thought. Anyway, I hadn't filed income taxes for the four years I was in as I was due a refund each year. I filed all four years at once and got a $700.00 return. I went to a bike store in Fort Worth and bought a UO10 Peugeot for $602.00. Still have it. It's a tank. (So there rich kids!) I used it to commute to the factory, and when I finally got a salaried position I had to buy a car.
To me, a bicycle is a means of conveyance. I like to ride with a purpose, be it shopping or just running errands. I am not much of a recreational bicyclist. (Like jogging. What the…? Why on earth would someone run when they aren’t being chased?)
I have bounced around the states in my lifetime, spending most of my life (thus far) in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. All great states to bicycle in.
While in Phoenix visiting my love interest we had the occasion to browse a Goodwill store. There was a 10 speed tucked away in the corner with vintage Campagnolo brakes. It had a price tag of $20.00 and it just happened to be 50% off day, so I bought it. Figured I could put the brakes on my UO10. When I got it back to Savannah I started to notice the craftsmanship of the bike. Further investigation revealed that it is a 1978 Kuwahara racing bike with Shimano GT hardware. And that is how I found this forum – I have virtually no information on it. Just had the frame painted last month.
So, I ride a Peugeot, a Kuwahara, I have a Giant Sedona (for hardcore grocery day), a 1950’s Triumph that I restored and am currently seeking a good home for it, a 2011 Tandem Schwinn that my love interest and I ride, and a pile of parts I have acquired via the dumpster dive route.
In all my years of riding in traffic and adverse weather conditions I have never even come close to being hit by a car. I mention that because I see people today riding willy-nilly in the middle of the street, blasting through red lights and stop signs totally disregarding the rules of ethical commuting. If you’re not commuting then get thee to a bike path. (Hopping off the old soap box now.)
Looking forward to picking y’alls brains. Thanks for reading this.
I worked odd jobs (very odd for very odd people) all summer in 1972 trying to save enough money to buy a Peugeot like the ones the rich kids road. Remember those? Always white and always had some brat perched on it. I managed to save $145.00 but I could only afford a Juenet. I rode that bike 30 miles a day to school. I lived in Soquel, California and went to school in Santa Cruz.
I joined the Air Force in 1977 and was stationed in Germany. When I got out in 1981 I went to work for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas building F-16’s. I had given my bike to friend for safe keeping while I was in the service and... probably don't need to finish that thought. Anyway, I hadn't filed income taxes for the four years I was in as I was due a refund each year. I filed all four years at once and got a $700.00 return. I went to a bike store in Fort Worth and bought a UO10 Peugeot for $602.00. Still have it. It's a tank. (So there rich kids!) I used it to commute to the factory, and when I finally got a salaried position I had to buy a car.
To me, a bicycle is a means of conveyance. I like to ride with a purpose, be it shopping or just running errands. I am not much of a recreational bicyclist. (Like jogging. What the…? Why on earth would someone run when they aren’t being chased?)
I have bounced around the states in my lifetime, spending most of my life (thus far) in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. All great states to bicycle in.
While in Phoenix visiting my love interest we had the occasion to browse a Goodwill store. There was a 10 speed tucked away in the corner with vintage Campagnolo brakes. It had a price tag of $20.00 and it just happened to be 50% off day, so I bought it. Figured I could put the brakes on my UO10. When I got it back to Savannah I started to notice the craftsmanship of the bike. Further investigation revealed that it is a 1978 Kuwahara racing bike with Shimano GT hardware. And that is how I found this forum – I have virtually no information on it. Just had the frame painted last month.
So, I ride a Peugeot, a Kuwahara, I have a Giant Sedona (for hardcore grocery day), a 1950’s Triumph that I restored and am currently seeking a good home for it, a 2011 Tandem Schwinn that my love interest and I ride, and a pile of parts I have acquired via the dumpster dive route.
In all my years of riding in traffic and adverse weather conditions I have never even come close to being hit by a car. I mention that because I see people today riding willy-nilly in the middle of the street, blasting through red lights and stop signs totally disregarding the rules of ethical commuting. If you’re not commuting then get thee to a bike path. (Hopping off the old soap box now.)
Looking forward to picking y’alls brains. Thanks for reading this.
06-11-14, 09:29 PM
#4
Junior Member
welcome. i just joined as well...i'm down in Rochester. figured Anoka was near the Cities 
i have been have an ongoing discussion about whether to ride on the street or the sidewalk
with a buddy of mine--he stays on sidewalks if he can and i tell him sidewalks are for walking!
good to hear you haven't been in an accident after all that riding...i'm pretty darn new to cycling.
jim
i have been have an ongoing discussion about whether to ride on the street or the sidewalk
with a buddy of mine--he stays on sidewalks if he can and i tell him sidewalks are for walking!
good to hear you haven't been in an accident after all that riding...i'm pretty darn new to cycling.
jim
06-11-14, 11:11 PM
#5
Formerly Known as Newbie
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Cheers and welcome to Bike Forums!
--J
--J
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To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
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06-12-14, 03:22 AM
#6
Pint-Sized Gnar Shredder
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Bikes: '09 Jamis Komodo, '09 Mirraco Blend One, '08 Cervelo P2C, '08 Specialized Ruby Elite, '07 Yeti AS-R SL, '07 DMR Drone
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