My first bike was a mid-to-late 1950s two-speed black Schwinn middleweight with "paperboy" handlebars and 26 x 1.75" tyres. Since I lived at the top end of a two-mile-long canyon road, it did not take me long to discover that I really wanted more gear ratios.
Six months later, I got a 1962 Bianchi Corsa road bike. It was Bianchi's answer to the Schwinn Varsity, with 26" steel rims, half-step Huret Allvit gearing, and Universal sidepull brakes.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069