A few days ago I jumped the draft of a dump truck as it rolled down a familiar stretch of road. It was fun, and reminded me of how, back in high school during the late '80s, I used to do it quite often, particularly off city busses. Back then, the road condition was better and I didn't have to worry about huge potholes and cracks; the busses stopped less, and there was less traffic.

Do you have a story of something that happened recently which reminded you of "the old days"?

I actually stop peddling and coast when they go by. I can stand the smell of diesel and have a hard time breathing in the stench

Don't think that is quite what the OP was looking for. Wet blankets don't go well with bikes.


I have a 1973 schwinn world touring that is visually challenged but in mechanical top shape. Steel 10 speed, as in 10 total not 10 on the cog, barcon shift, round curves H bar and a B-17 saddle. Took it for a good long here and there ride a few days ago and I too also caught a draft behind a bus. (the commonality of the bus draft prompted me to post here) The flexey steel, the nature of the ride and drafting all reminded me of the old days except that the bus was NG powered so no diesel fumes.

Riding my single speed takes me back to old BMX days of glory.

just in the sense of how much more I value my life then I used to. Had a Car treat my arm signal like a spastic twitch with no purpose rather than an intent to cross over the lane and turn, nearly hit me yesterday. This bothered me way more than it would have in the old days.

I had a pink GT bmx bike that I wish I still had

I remember when you still ride in Central Park (at other times besides 5am)

Just riding a bike is very nostalgic for me. As a child, I spent my life on my bike- it was freedom! It was comfort.....

The other day, as I'm pedaling-away into a stiff head wind, spinning frantically and only doing 12MPH, just as I was starting to think "This sucks!", I hearkened back to childhood- how I'd be spinning away on my single-speed Ross. It somehow made it seem much more tolerable. (Maybe i should just "go all the way" and get another Nixon bumper sticker, and put it on my bike, like I did when I was 10, in 1972!)

Yes. Just yes.

My SS MTB gets about the most saddle time of the whole stable.