introducing myself
 

Just thought it would be fun to add my 2 cents worth every once in awhile. I bought my first 10 speed back in 1965 when I was 19. It was a Carlton with Reynolds tubing. The hubs were high flange Campa's and the rest of the components were low end Campa (valencia). It came with steel cranks and clincher tires, however I changed that all to quality stuff after a couple of years. The first century I ever rode was from the North side of Chicago to the Wisconsin border and back. I used a 54x14 gear for the whole ride and didn't have any water bottles. When I got back into Chicago and had to stop for red lights I couldn't get my feet out of the traps and simply fell over at least three times.

It wasn't until 1985 that I really started training on the bike and in 1989 I bought a GIOS Compact which had an extremely short wheel base and was very nervous. That year was the first one that I rode more than 10,000km. All of my best times for my house tours were set in that year. I've taken part on a number of the more popular bike marathons here in Europe and have always placed in the upper 10%.

My sons Sven and Clint got equally enthusiastic about street racing while watching Greg Lemond do his thing. He is still my favorite. Sven is now a professional with the Gerolsteiner team. The last two years he was with Fassa Bortolo and before that with FDJeux and Post Swiss. Clint was elite amatuer and took part in stage races in Guatamala, Mexico and Martinique. Clint was killed on his bike this past September in a frontal collision with a car passing a bus.

Jerry Montgomery
Little Red Huus
CH-3784 Feutersoey
E-Mail: < c.j.monty@bluewin.ch>

You’ve got quite a history with bikes! Pity you didn’t get to cross over into Wisconsin on your big trek. A few miles further would have found you in my boyhood biking haven outside Milwaukee. Sorry to hear about your son. Welcome to the forums!

Wow- it wasn't until I read your email that I went back and read your intro and what you said in your email clicked. So sorry to hear about your son, Clint. I hope your family is recovering and healing from your loss.

But I also see you're from my neck of the woods too- originally. I haven't done the entire Wisconsin ride yet. I'm hoping to do it this summer. I usually start from deep in the south Chicago and head up to Great Lakes and back to get my 100 miles. But I do now have a cycling buddy I can do this with in the summer. So it should be fun this time, since I won't be on my own. I'm also not going to make the mistake of doing it 1) without breaks and 2) without water!

Well, you know my plans- when I get back out to your neck of the woods, I'll definitely stop through, and I'll bring some Gino's East and Chicago style hot dogs for you. Swiss food may be good, but you'll never find food like that out by your red huus! ;)

Koffee

Hey! I do all the cooking here.

Jerry

Hey funnyman! :D

I'm glad you do all the cooking- you can warm up the pizza and hotdogs then!

And for a P.S., I don't cook either! Glad to know you do, though...

Koffee