Originally Posted by jaci
Hi ~ thanks for asking me to clarify.
This is a new purchase for me. My current bike is a Sears, piece of crab.
I biked in high school; rode a Schwinn World Traveler. LBS tells me this was comparable to a touring bike of today. It had curved handles and skinney tires. I LOVED that bike. Sure wish I had it today.
What kind of biking would I like to do? Mainly recreational riding with my kids, but my goal also is to get my husband into biking and go on longer rides with him.
I am going to join a biking group (something for me), that rides anywhere from 10-25 miles weekly. Prob. will have to build up to that, but that is my plan. A good friend of mine is the organizer of the group.
Once I'm in shape I'd like to stay in shape and participate in longer organized rides...... day rides, overnight trips, etc. Am thinking 40 mi. rides, maybe more.
I have not seriously ridden since high school. But I am in good shape now. 5'7" about 135#, and I'm 44, female.
Thanks for being interested and helping me.
I too had a Schwinn Traveler in HS, and your LBS is correct - it's the equivalent of a modern touring bike. Actually, I ride an early '80's era Univega 12 speed that's outfitted for touring... have you thought of checking out thrift stores? Mine set me back a whole 20 bucks and was in great shape. Since getting it I've added a water bottle cage, tire pump, lights, computer/speedometer and a new saddle, so all told it's cost me maybe $150. The newer bikes are better in some ways, like weight, but if all you're doing is recreational riding or short distance touring, so what?