Quite a while ago used to ride in a club once a week on my too-small Schwinn Continental that I added a smallest sprocket possible on the back on making it a 12 speed. I had no interest in a race but they kept egging me on, so i did. I wore blue jeans and they wore the right stuff with their Paramounts and Voyagers, but must have been stronger because it wasn't even close. Perhaps it is because I run 12.6 miles a day. That ended the challenges and it went back to friendly, spirited rides. I did learn that I shouldn't be overly concerned about bicycle weight and just keeping up with the pack is fine with me. I sold the Continental some time back because it didn't ft me to the point it wasn't safe. I didn't want to spend a lot on a bike because in Michigan there are lots of times you cannot ride so I bought a 1980 Chicago Le Tour I got off Craigslist, which I found after getting home that someone made it into a 12 speed, like I did my Continental, and it had aluminum wheels. It has the wrong color, wrong brakes, stem shifters, and wrong derailleur to be a Super Le Tour. When I took it out for the first time on a bike route, I saw a lot of other bikes and it got me thinking that I'd better talk to people who know the lay of the land before I put a dime into the bike. Perhaps I'm better of selling the Chicago Le Tour to a collector, buying an aluminum frame 21 speed off eBay for $165, and start there. The problem is, I don't know what's out there and what I should be looking for.
Honesty: I like the idea of taking a long trip with guys or secluded trails with a girl, but neither are likely. The only handle bars and shifters I've known are the Continental and Le Tour stem shifters. The only seats I've known is the torture seat. Back in the day they said I'll get used to it and will find out they are the best. I never got used to them and the only time they were worth anything was during a challenge, which only happened once. What I appreciated most were the brake extensions.
I do have the desire to use the bike to combine exercise with transportation. A lot has changed so I am clueless about what I should be looking for while for you guys what I should be looking for comes as natural as breathing. Any advice appreciated.