it's been awhile...
#1
is just a real cool dude
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Thumb, MI
Posts: 3,167
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
9 Posts
it's been awhile...
I got a notification this evening on an old thread of mine and decided I would chime in. I honestly can't recall the last time I posted on the forum or let alone even lurked around.
I just did the Forest Gump when he just felt like walking and walked away from the forum and cycling in general. Mind you I still have an arsenal of bikes but something clicked or snapped and cycling not longer tickled my pickle.
I walked away from being a store manager at a shop after it left a seriously sour taste in my mouth and never looked back. I still take rides but nothing like I used to. So maybe logging back in will spark the flame again.
I just did the Forest Gump when he just felt like walking and walked away from the forum and cycling in general. Mind you I still have an arsenal of bikes but something clicked or snapped and cycling not longer tickled my pickle.
I walked away from being a store manager at a shop after it left a seriously sour taste in my mouth and never looked back. I still take rides but nothing like I used to. So maybe logging back in will spark the flame again.
Likes For Henry III:
#2
Hoards Thumbshifters
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Signal Mountain, TN
Posts: 962
Bikes: '87 Bruce Gordon Chinook, '08 Jamis Aurora, '86 Trek 560, '97 Mongoose Rockadile, & '07 Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 162 Post(s)
Liked 168 Times
in
103 Posts
Sometimes breaks are nice. It can help you remember what you really liked about bicycles and get rid of what you didn't. Welcome back for as long as you like.
I know I left the forum basically for 3-5 years and came back. I ride differently and more often again too. You'll find many like you, they may just have returned earlier.
I know I left the forum basically for 3-5 years and came back. I ride differently and more often again too. You'll find many like you, they may just have returned earlier.
Likes For mechanicmatt:
#3
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 5,386
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 664 Post(s)
Liked 717 Times
in
359 Posts
Welcome back - sounds like you needed a break.
#5
Gone riding
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 10,644
Mentioned: 206 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1706 Post(s)
Liked 1,336 Times
in
600 Posts
I still have the special tool roll you made me, Henry - glad to see you putting in an appearance again. Stick around or go on hiatus again, it's all good. I've done the same and will again 
DD

DD
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 3,439
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 827 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 315 Times
in
199 Posts
I ebb and flow in my interest. Some days I cant get enough and sometimes I don't do anything bike related for long periods of time. It is all good.
#7
PM me your cotters
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,470
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 971 Post(s)
Liked 380 Times
in
293 Posts
I got a notification this evening on an old thread of mine and decided I would chime in. I honestly can't recall the last time I posted on the forum or let alone even lurked around.
I just did the Forest Gump when he just felt like walking and walked away from the forum and cycling in general. Mind you I still have an arsenal of bikes but something clicked or snapped and cycling not longer tickled my pickle.
I walked away from being a store manager at a shop after it left a seriously sour taste in my mouth and never looked back. I still take rides but nothing like I used to. So maybe logging back in will spark the flame again.
I just did the Forest Gump when he just felt like walking and walked away from the forum and cycling in general. Mind you I still have an arsenal of bikes but something clicked or snapped and cycling not longer tickled my pickle.
I walked away from being a store manager at a shop after it left a seriously sour taste in my mouth and never looked back. I still take rides but nothing like I used to. So maybe logging back in will spark the flame again.
What I'll say is this: Despite all the gibberish life has handed me, I can't tell you how many BF'ers I've helped get through it, and how many here have also stepped up to help me through life: Finishing projects that've been stretching on forever, get me riding new bikes I never thought I'd ride, and just providing moral support. I've had some awesome mutually-beneficial part swaps recently, and come to see a few saints here on the forum who are as altruistic and authentic as it gets. It's just enough to keep a guy going with less of a frown on his face, I can't help but say "keep logging in" even if you're not riding. A lot of us aren't riding, but the camaraderie is still here, and it's therapeutic.
Even if you don't pop in, I hope we see you periodically, even if I'm not around anymore. Stay safe, stay healthy and .... keep riding. Your ass will hurt less for later

__________________
███████████████
███████████████
#8
Youngman Grand
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,020
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1602 Post(s)
Liked 680 Times
in
456 Posts
Good to hear from you again, yes we talked bags and a saddle. Maybe some frame courses?
I wouldn't mind some Gump downtime.
I wouldn't mind some Gump downtime.
#9
Old fart
Welcome back, Henry. I still have the tool roll you made for me!
#10
Senior Member
Nice to see another frequent member chime back in! We all have our ebb and flows in life. There is certainly a lot of change happening with all of us.
Regards, 3speedslow
Regards, 3speedslow
Likes For Henry III:
#12
Senior Member
I can see how a bike shop management job could burn one out.
Having seen folk much older than me continue to ride and along with it maintain good health, that could be a decent magnet in of itself.
Having seen folk much older than me continue to ride and along with it maintain good health, that could be a decent magnet in of itself.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 1,382
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1974 Allegro No. 76, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1973 Raleigh GS, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 460 Post(s)
Liked 427 Times
in
242 Posts
Welcome back!
Stepping away from something for a while and then returning can be a very good thing. My other obsession is acoustic guitars, and I find that whenever I take a break from them, when I come back my playing always seems fresher, different, and after any rustiness wears off, simply better. The same seems to be happening with me on the bike - for many years my cycling has been somewhat attenuated, but this year I found some ways to steal some time from the day to work in early morning miles. I've ridden more miles so far this year, just since June, than I have since 2008. It's been really, really lovely, and I find I am enjoying my rides more than I think I can ever remember enjoying them before.
Stepping away from something for a while and then returning can be a very good thing. My other obsession is acoustic guitars, and I find that whenever I take a break from them, when I come back my playing always seems fresher, different, and after any rustiness wears off, simply better. The same seems to be happening with me on the bike - for many years my cycling has been somewhat attenuated, but this year I found some ways to steal some time from the day to work in early morning miles. I've ridden more miles so far this year, just since June, than I have since 2008. It's been really, really lovely, and I find I am enjoying my rides more than I think I can ever remember enjoying them before.
#14
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 4,029
Bikes: 1967 Paramount, 1982-ish Ron Cooper,1978 Eisentraut "A," mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 1961 Bianchi Competizione (an Eroica bike), 1994 Trek 520, 199? Burley Bossa Nova, early-1970s Cinelli Speciale Corsa (also an Eroica bike)
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 280 Post(s)
Liked 226 Times
in
119 Posts
Glad to see you back. Hiatuses (hiati?) are good. Returning can be good, too. I hope it is for you.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,157
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 627 Post(s)
Liked 427 Times
in
234 Posts
Hey! So good to see you checking in. Last I heard you moved to the Thumb area (I’m in Boyne City) and as you mentioned, working the bike shop. I hope you can rekindle your passion for cycling, bike shops can suck that out of your life (I work a shop out back on a hobby level but got pretty active this summer). Let us us know how you do and if you need something just holler. We’ll leave a light on for you.

#16
Wrench Savant
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: 61 Degrees North
Posts: 2,252
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
7 Posts
I still use the tool role you sent me as well. I too have been gone a while, and have dipped my toe back on the water recently. For me it was finding a bike that re-kindled my interest...although I still have nearly a score hanging in the garage.
Good to hear all is well with you.
Good to hear all is well with you.
__________________
"Where you come from is gone;
where you are headed weren't never there;
and where you are ain't no good unless you can get away from it."
"Where you come from is gone;
where you are headed weren't never there;
and where you are ain't no good unless you can get away from it."
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Arid Arizona, for now.
Posts: 2,797
Bikes: 1995 Cannondale Killer V
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 731 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 302 Times
in
221 Posts
Henry, we never really chatted on the forums here yet, but I can just tell, you’re a really cool dude. 😁✌️😁 Hang in there, man, it could quit rainin’ any minute now. 🙄😁
#18
Senior Member
All burnout aside, you made a damn nice tool roll. Take satisfaction in knowing your handy work is still rolling with many of us to this day!
