Boy Scout cycling merit badge
12-05-23, 07:13 AM
#26
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On my home computer I have a photo of an authentic Bianchi infantry bicycle complete with rifle hanging from its mount. It sits in a WWI museum in Bassano del Grappa. That area saw heavy fighting because of its relative proximity to the Austrian border. So many towns have memorials to residents who lost their lives in the fighting.
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12-05-23, 07:23 AM
#27
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Yes to cycling merit badge! All I remember is the long ride was really hard and I did not get into the support truck on the big climb. Good memories from otherwise tough times.
Troop 52, Berkeley, CA
Schwinn Varsity from Elmwood Cycle and Toy
Troop 52, Berkeley, CA
Schwinn Varsity from Elmwood Cycle and Toy
12-05-23, 09:52 AM
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When I was a cycling counselor - my 2 groups did 3 rides short of 15miles, then 2 at 25miles, 1 at 50miles. A 6 week program.
We had one scout (for the 50miler) who had not attended the short rides but the parent demanded his son be allowed. We had (stupidly) not included a requirement for the shorter rides before the 50mile ride. He caused a crash in the first 5miles and I sent him home in one of the SAG vehicles, later writing a terse letter to the parents. Luckily no serious injuries.
Demanding parents are beyond a pain in the ass.
edit: The 50mile ride included almost 1800' of elevation drop and was gorgeous descending thru the Santa Cruz mountains.
We had one scout (for the 50miler) who had not attended the short rides but the parent demanded his son be allowed. We had (stupidly) not included a requirement for the shorter rides before the 50mile ride. He caused a crash in the first 5miles and I sent him home in one of the SAG vehicles, later writing a terse letter to the parents. Luckily no serious injuries.
Demanding parents are beyond a pain in the ass.
edit: The 50mile ride included almost 1800' of elevation drop and was gorgeous descending thru the Santa Cruz mountains.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 12-05-23 at 09:58 AM.
12-05-23, 01:09 PM
#32
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I *think* it was St John's on College Ave. We met in an annex building across the street. Our annual Christmas tree lot was on the St. John's side of the avenue. That was 1972-73 and the Varsity was something like $20 less than the most beautiful bike on earth, a white Peugeot UO-8. Rode my Varsity up to the Lawrence Hall of Science regularly, and passed cars on the way back down. Sheesh, that 13 year old male brain...is still the same. 😮 😜
Last edited by BTinNYC; 12-05-23 at 01:20 PM.
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12-05-23, 01:26 PM
#33
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I too had a Schwinn Corvette, 3 speed with the chrome fenders. Was not enough gears for hilly Omaha, Nebraska.
12-05-23, 02:42 PM
#34
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I never got around to that mb, but I did learn a lot about bicycles as a boy scout. Another guy's dad was really into cycling; I learned some basic maintenance, used a truing stand for truing wheels . . . . Something I'm grateful for nearly 3 decades later.
