Hello from Auburn, IN! I'm returning to serious riding after a multi-decade absense. My first ride I bought with my own newspaper route money when I was 13 - Schwinn Sting-Ray Fastback - still have that bike and wish I never had repainted it - it would be worth some $$$! My cousin and I were BMX-ing before there was BMX - just a bit ahead of our time. Upon graduation from high school, I took my grad money and bought my first road bike - a '73 Sekine - CrMo double butted frame for $180. It came with Suntour V and heavy rims which I replaced sometime in the 80's with Mavic. It was a beautiful bike and I still have that one also. I used to commute to work with it - about 12 miles one way. I picked up a Trek 930 MTB also in the 80's, (I think) - certainly isn't like the ones that I've seen pics of on here that were built in the late 90's.

I've been running all these years and at the current age of 51, I've been thinking more about my knees. Doc suggested I bike to strengthen the muscle group around the knees, so here I am - not necessarily for medicinal purposes, but also because I miss riding. The kids are out of the house now and the time is there. I'd like to do some group rides, and maybe some competitive stuff such as a dualathlon or biathlon or whatever you call it.

Thankful that this forum is here, but wish I would have done more lurking before I posted my first question because since then I've found that all my questions have been answered before. So, for any other newbies reading this - do your homework and take the time to search and read the FAQ sections. To the Senior members, I appreciate your wisdom, humor, and tact! And thanks for the help I've received thus far!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm looking for a new bike!