A detailed thread of the build is here- https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...me-slowly.html
The successes and struggles are documented with too much writeup and a lot of pics of the process from start to finish.

Leinster- it was thru a local builder named Jeff Bock who started building in the 70s after college and was busy in the 70s and 80s, but sort of stepped back and made it a side job to teaching during the later 80s, 90s, and 00s until he retired a few years ago. He ran the class every few years during that time though.
He built a lot of race frames for local riders back in the day and seems to focus on restorations and rando/touring bikes these days. He has his only paint booth so builds are done start to finish all right there.
I had only a few hours of outside of class work. At home, I drew the lug lines, cut a couple tube notches, and sanded part of the frame that was fillet brazed. All that could have been done in class, but I took an extra long time working on the seat stays and thats what was eventually fillet brazed. Seriously, I could have eliminated 2 class days had I just gone with a traditional seat stay attachment setup.
I think it was $3300 total for the frame, fork, and upgraded paint. I didnt do any of the painting- He asked me if I wanted to, but I wanted to leave that to the professional.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b11c98787c.jpg

That was my precise reaction. He came up a riverbank and walked across my path about 30' in front of me. Extremely cute but extremely young. Had to have been born that spring. I fully expected mom to be right behind. When she wasn't, I got more nervous than when I came face to face at about 30' with a 500+ lb. one last year during a trip across PA. Hope the thing wasn't lost or orphaned because it looked too young to survive on its own.

To top it off, I had just showered and was then going to cook dinner, which included sauteed garlic and shallots. A my sites picnic table I oriented myself so I could look in the direction where I had seen the cub, and fortunately, there was a bear locker. This was in an area of NJ that has a healthy bear population.

Thanks!! "Getting started" is probably a bit of false advertising. I'm just getting started in cycling, but I'm a pretty fit ultra runner, so the transition to cycling has been fairly smooth. I picked up a used bike, figuring it would be good cross training, had no idea I'd like it this much! :)


Ouch! My worst one would be TN at around 115 miles one way, gotta go through the mountains tho, so it'll still be a solid effort.

Four Epic Rides, Eroica CA in April on a Raleigh Super Course I built from a found bare frame. I also did Sulfur Mountain, north of Ojai on the Raleigh as an Eroica tune up - 44 miles incl 12 miles of gravel fire road.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dd594563cb.jpg

Two more rides with Channel Islands Bike Club, Rose Valley and Gibraltar Road, lots of climbing, but so fun coming back downhill!
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4275b9fd93.jpg
Rose Valley from Ojai.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cc857402c2.jpg

Gibraltar Road from Carpentaria.

I rode less than I did in 2017, but I posted more on BF. :eek:

Live in the UK ... had a decent summer for once ... rode in sunshine without rain :D

Also learnt I loved cycling :thumb:

right is a great thing. Wish everyone success and achieve what they want

I'll bet! Good on you for getting back in the saddle. Probably the best thing for your lungs.

Have a healthy 2019!

I started the year not even knowing it was a goal or something I even wanted to do. But I rode to work. Hoping I can get my knees back so I can continue next year.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e4a798c5c4.jpg
I climbed 6,500' to the top of the highest paved road in the US, and the 3rd highest in the world.

​​​​​So you broke your own personal record a few weeks later in the rain?

45 miles on a race track? That sounds like fun.

You are definitely getting the distance riding bug!

Impressive! I'm pretty sure I'd have to train a long time just to deal with the altitude.

I rode about as much as usual, but I've managed to stay upright this year.

Between the roadie and the mtn bike, that can be a challenge some years.

No goals, I got a bike in 2017 after a 10 year hiatus from racing and riding. Just wanted to have fun.

I rode the Triple Bypass for the first time.

I went on many epic other rides.

Not bad for just getting back into it.

Triple Bypass that soon after getting back into it? "Not bad" is a major understatement.

Started commuting, got my first en-route flat (and 4 more on the same ride), built up my first wheelset. Did 92 miles in one ride (first summer with a functioning road bike) and shattered a helmet. Looking forward to another exciting year.

I did a 4 day trip on the GAP Trail with my 2 sons and 3 grandsons (ages 4-7). Two tandems and single with a Weehoo. Priceless.

Wow! Bet you got some high-demand group pictures!

Nothing too epic this year. I managed to do metric centuries in 9 months (March-November), and was going to go for 10, but seriously haven't had a weekend since before Thanksgiving.

Otherwise, I learned how to ride gravel and did not even crash!

I did that too on an after-work bike ride. Was sore for a couple days, but also just cuts and bruises.. Actually getting hit hurts a surprising amount even without serious injury.

Definitely don't recommend the experience.