Graduated high school in 81, then off to college. Rode a variety of bikes though out that time but picked up a Nishiki 12 speed somewhere along the line tha got me into racing. Joined the Navy in 85 and the Nishili began it's American Tour. It went with me to Florida, Connecticut, Washington State, and Hawaii, then back to Washington. I raced it everywhere I went with moderate success up to Cat 2 pack fodder status.

In or about 87 or 88 I wandered into a bike shop in Port Orchard, WA and fell in love with a Cannondale Black Lightening that was strategically placed in the middle of the aisle as you walked into the shop. I owned it after a one mile test ride. It was surely going to propel me to the top of the Crit cricuit. Never made it, but not the bike's fault. Same shop had a Raleigh team USA frame that had been repaired and never picked up. Bought it for $25, but ended up giving it to a friend of mine when I was leaving for a 1 year billet in North Carolina with a JSC unit. Didn't get a lick of riding done in that time frame.

The Black Lightening went with me onto CT and saw some riding time but a back injury all but ended my riding. I ended up selling it to a Chief who was a riding mad man when I was medically discharged in 95. I hadn't riden in almost 4 years and figured I never would again. Then a couple of years ago I stumbled across this place after riding a moutain bike a buddy gave me around the neighborhood for a couple of weeks. Shortly there after I bought an Ironman from Cuda2K and now I have half a dozen, or so, bikes, mostly from the 80's.