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01-01-07, 03:27 PM
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2006
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Bikes: dawes, schwinn, kona
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New to BF
Hi,
Just to introduce myself.....61 yrs old, first bike as an adult was in 1971 - Dawes Galaxy bought in Monterey, California. Got a 71 Paramount in late 1972 (black with chrome lugs - beautiful). Ended up selling that in 75, but still had the Dawes. Road the Dawes all over eastern Bavaria in 73/74 - i must find those slides and get them digitized. My uncle passed on his mid-fifties Dawes Courier to me which I cross built with the "modern" parts from my 71, along with a few upgrades made in the mid-70s. I only managed to rescue the Dawes Courier frame, and rattle canned it a beautiful blue. That was in the late 70s.. and it still looks good. Road steadily til the early nineties when work resposnibilities started to eat all my time. The bike was carefully stored, however.
All the inactivity, not to mention my smoking habit, and unknown to me diabetes, led to a stroke in May of 2004 - actually two strokes.... right side arm and leg, followed by wiping out my balance.
After some serious physical therapy and against the advice of my physical therapist, I decided to take up riding again in late 2004. My brain knew how to ride, my body knew how to ride... but.... the communications paths between my brain and body were gone... boy was that funny. Anyway, I relearned how to ride, but was terrified on my road bike (it had always been a tad too big and was kind of twitchy on its own... now I was kind of twitchy too!).
Bought a cheap Schwinn Mesa 2004 MTB.... bottom of the barrel components but nice frame... and felt safe at least....and it rides nicely on pavement (paved MUT). Unfortunately I had lots of blood pressure issues during 2005 and did not ride much. I was trying to keep working and really did not have much time to ride anyway.
Finally, in March of 2006 I retired....my wife made me buy a new bike - got a Kona Dew Deluxe, which is my main ride now. Had some lung issues to work through but all that stuff is now behind me, and if this rain stops I'll get out and ride tomorrow and start off toward regular riding again.
I may be slow... but I am still moving!
I like the 50+ forum so will prob hang out over there....
Happy New Year.
Pete
Just to introduce myself.....61 yrs old, first bike as an adult was in 1971 - Dawes Galaxy bought in Monterey, California. Got a 71 Paramount in late 1972 (black with chrome lugs - beautiful). Ended up selling that in 75, but still had the Dawes. Road the Dawes all over eastern Bavaria in 73/74 - i must find those slides and get them digitized. My uncle passed on his mid-fifties Dawes Courier to me which I cross built with the "modern" parts from my 71, along with a few upgrades made in the mid-70s. I only managed to rescue the Dawes Courier frame, and rattle canned it a beautiful blue. That was in the late 70s.. and it still looks good. Road steadily til the early nineties when work resposnibilities started to eat all my time. The bike was carefully stored, however.
All the inactivity, not to mention my smoking habit, and unknown to me diabetes, led to a stroke in May of 2004 - actually two strokes.... right side arm and leg, followed by wiping out my balance.
After some serious physical therapy and against the advice of my physical therapist, I decided to take up riding again in late 2004. My brain knew how to ride, my body knew how to ride... but.... the communications paths between my brain and body were gone... boy was that funny. Anyway, I relearned how to ride, but was terrified on my road bike (it had always been a tad too big and was kind of twitchy on its own... now I was kind of twitchy too!).
Bought a cheap Schwinn Mesa 2004 MTB.... bottom of the barrel components but nice frame... and felt safe at least....and it rides nicely on pavement (paved MUT). Unfortunately I had lots of blood pressure issues during 2005 and did not ride much. I was trying to keep working and really did not have much time to ride anyway.
Finally, in March of 2006 I retired....my wife made me buy a new bike - got a Kona Dew Deluxe, which is my main ride now. Had some lung issues to work through but all that stuff is now behind me, and if this rain stops I'll get out and ride tomorrow and start off toward regular riding again.
I may be slow... but I am still moving!
I like the 50+ forum so will prob hang out over there....
Happy New Year.
Pete
01-01-07, 03:47 PM
#2
Lanky Lass
Yours is a story of true determination, Pete.
We will do our best to keep you encouraged, and I know that the 50+ folks are very supportive.
The Classic & Vintage forum members would love to see the photos of the Dawes (s) when you get them converted to digital images, too.
Welcome to BF!
East Hill
We will do our best to keep you encouraged, and I know that the 50+ folks are very supportive.
The Classic & Vintage forum members would love to see the photos of the Dawes (s) when you get them converted to digital images, too.
Welcome to BF!
East Hill
__________________
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
___________________________________________________
TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
01-01-07, 03:48 PM
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
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Now get your wife a nice bike, or did she just want to get you out of the house when you retired. I have been on insulin for 53 yrs and I am sure the cycling has helped with all associated health issues.
01-02-07, 07:21 AM
#4
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Drop by the 50+ forum. BOBKAT there is a retired MD who retired due to an early age stroke, and now rides recumbents all over the place!
Check it out:
https://members.aol.com/bfn50gallery/index.htm#BOBKAT
Check it out:
https://members.aol.com/bfn50gallery/index.htm#BOBKAT
