When my wife and I decided to get back into bicycling we first checked out new bikes -- amazing technology! -- and then new bike prices. Eeek! My son, of course, got a laugh out of our reaction to both. His look said it all: "My dad thinks it's still the `60s."

As the shock and awe cleared another idea crossed my mind. Forty one years ago, for our first wedding anniversary, my dear one and I gave each other bicycles. Bikes that for me at least fulfilled the dreams on my youth. 1969 Raleigh Sprites. The model with 5 speed enclosed hubs.

We rode them on and off for transportation and recreation for about ten years and then just put them away. When we moved to semi-rural New Hampshire the old bikes moved with us and went from one dusty shed to another. And there they have sat without so much as a single ray of the sun.

Could these bikes be put back on the road? I went down to the shed, rolled them back to the house, sprayed them with a mist of Simple Green, and hosed off thirty years of dust and detritus.

A few drops of Three in One and some air pressure later and I was riding mine. A little time with some polish gave me this:


Then a bit of searching through the house provided this:


My bike is in the shop now getting a "tune up," a new chain, and having the crank bearing repacked. Other than that the shop's knowledgeable tech assured me, she seems ready to ride. (Yes, even the 40+ year old tires and tubes seem just fine)

Next weekend I pick mine up and we drop off my wife's for its going over.

Anyhow, nothing fancy or esoteric, but folks at the shop -- both costumers and the people behind the counter -- went gaga for her, so I thought I'd share.

Cheers!

-don