Well, the Monark was long gone by the time I arrived. I didn't find out about it until yesterday. Dad said that after his use, the frame cracked and it had to be retired. I expect he was a teen then. He lived in the Hudson River valley, so that was a lot of climbing with a single gear bike, Having a lighter bike was a welcomed boost.

First bike I remember him having was a 10 speed Motobecane in the late '60s. Now he has a foldie.

My Fleetwing lasted till 5th grade when it was stolen from the school bicycle parking. No one could remember a bike being stolen from school. It was already pretty beat. It had rear Wald baskets and was painted with yellow housepaint. They had probably 200 bikes in the school bike parking to choose from, I'm guessing they took it for the ape hanger handlebars that were on it at the time.

But that bike set the pattern. I was already pedaling too far.