Old Fool Buys Bicycle!!

As you ride more you might check out a local road club.
Sometimes these are hard to get started with because they
tend to drop anybody who is not up to their speed. However,
some clubs have beginner groups and the social part of
riding is a wonderful thing. My club in Corvallis, Oregon
has a group that meet at 10:00 on Saturday and decide where
to go. They have one rule--nobody is dropped. Depending on
who shows they ride 20 to 35 miles and always have a
destination that has food! In a couple months you will be up
to riding with this sort of group. We have another ride that
starts at 9:00 (winter) and 8:00 summer that has three
subgroups of 30-40, 40-60, and 60-100+ miles. They will drop
anybody who can't keep up. If you have a club but it doesn't
have the beginner/slower/no drop group, you might approach
them about promoting one. This is what happened in our club.

Alan Acock

"Methuselah" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It had been brought to may attention that I was getting
fat and gross. I will be sisxty this Summer. My wife and I
enjoyed walking and photography, but did not get enough of
the former. The last bicycle I bought was a Philips Lion
3-Speed English bike in 1954, for about $40 in paper route
money. I used it extensivley for years, and probably put
thousands of miles on it..Until I got a drivers' License.
At that instant, being seen on a bicycle was anathema. In
the '70's I bought A Peugot ten-speed, but there were
issues with drivability and comfort, and in
particular..What kind of masochistic pervert designed
those ice-skate-like seats? The derailleur mechanism was
quirky and buggy, as well. So it hung on the garage wall
for thirty years. I am leaving it outside tonight, as the
rubbish collectors come tomorrow morning. Maybe someone
who might enjoy it will take it overnight. My wife and I
just bought a pair of Specialized Expedition Elites, and I
must comment that things have certainly changed in thirty
years! I got mine 2 days ago..the weather was good
yesterday and just did not want to stop! I did a few
miles, not having been on a bike in decades, and got
endorphined up.. a real rush. Even though I am walking a
bit strangely today on stairs, I am going out again in a
few minutes! There is so little effort with 24 speeds, why
not? The digital (thing) that it came with says I did a
peak speed of 17 MPH, average of 8, 2.7 miles. OK, I will
be honest here: No matter how hard I pedalled, even with
wind making noises in the helmet, I could barely get that
speedometer to move ...Then I realized I had it set on the
odometer function. But when I got back I was barely out of
breath at all. The Specialized Expedition looked like a
good choice for cruising and occasional forays onto
trails..Not the best for the road, not the best for
trails, but a good compromise from what we saw.

"Methuselah" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It had been brought to may attention that I was getting
fat and gross. I will be sisxty this Summer. My wife and I
enjoyed walking and photography, but did not get enough of
the former. The last bicycle I bought was a Philips Lion
3-Speed English bike in 1954, for about $40 in paper route
money. I used it extensivley for years, and probably put
thousands of miles on it..Until I got a drivers' License.
At that instant, being seen on a bicycle was anathema. In
the '70's I bought A Peugot ten-speed, but there were
issues with drivability and comfort, and in
particular..What kind of masochistic pervert designed
those ice-skate-like seats? The derailleur mechanism was
quirky and buggy, as well. So it hung on the garage wall
for thirty years. I am leaving it outside tonight, as the
rubbish collectors come tomorrow morning. Maybe someone
who might enjoy it will take it overnight. My wife and I
just bought a pair of Specialized Expedition Elites, and I
must comment that things have certainly changed in thirty
years! I got mine 2 days ago..the weather was good
yesterday and just did not want to stop! I did a few
miles, not having been on a bike in decades, and got
endorphined up.. a real rush. Even though I am walking a
bit strangely today on stairs, I am going out again in a
few minutes! There is so little effort with 24 speeds, why
not? The digital (thing) that it came with says I did a
peak speed of 17 MPH, average of 8, 2.7 miles. OK, I will
be honest here: No matter how hard I pedalled, even with
wind making noises in the helmet, I could barely get that
speedometer to move ...Then I realized I had it set on the
odometer function. But when I got back I was barely out of
breath at all. The Specialized Expedition looked like a
good choice for cruising and occasional forays onto
trails..Not the best for the road, not the best for
trails, but a good compromise from what we saw.

To bad I read post on the 8th. The Peugot you threw away
could have bought you plenty more bikes.

Quoted message said:

Old Fool Buys Bicycle!!

Not so old and definitely not a fool.

I am 64, my wife is 66. I will ride about 5,000 miles this
year and she abot 2,000, hopefully.

I started riding seriously when I was 58 and she when
she was 61.

Please don't forget that our older bodies also need
resistance exercises, such as weight lifting. Osteoporosis
and muscle loss ddue to age are both preventable.

I do heavy weights about 3 times per week, including
bench press, squats, deadlifts, back extensions, biceps,
dips for triceps, etc., etc. I also do chinups and raised
feet pushups.

I am pleased to state that I can bench press my own weight
(220 pounds) and do a whole lot of raised-feet pushups.

Keep up the cycling. It will grow addictive. I just got back
from a 25 mile most relaxing and refreshing ride. I am
amazed that 25 miles just seems like nothing nowadays. It
wasn't always that way. I remember well my first 15 MILE
ride. Seemed like forever.

Have fun, tell your wife that you are not alone. We will be
riding with you.

members.aol.comfoxcondorsrvtnsOpen ↗ (Colorado
rental condo)

members.aol.comdnvrfoxOpen ↗ (Family Web Page)

Welcome to a pretty large group of old fools. I just turned
74. That's the good news, you are not alone. The bad news is
already you are getting 'hooked'. We started with 'hybrid'
bikes too. Got to riding huge distances of 5 to 10 miles.
ha! Got involved with some neighbors on more professional
road bikes and we could not keep up with them, even though
we eventually got into great physical shape. So our first
'used' road bike. And then we got 'hooked' even more as
local bike clubs cruised our area. Now we both have
professional level road bikes; and, try to be on the road
three to five days a week, depending on weather and
distances we ride. We rode 32.5 miles yesterday on some
hilly and windy roads; took us a long time to buck the 20mph
winds coming back. There is a 75mile scenic loop with five
mountains, that I've ridden several times now. So I warn you
now, you are in for some great fun and enjoyable rides. They
say bikes are like boats and RV's, the third one is the one
you wanted all along. My prediction is you will have another
new bike in a year or so. Happy trails.

Tom

"Trailgalore" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Methuselah" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It had been brought to may attention that I was getting
fat and gross. I will be sisxty this Summer. My wife and
I enjoyed walking and photography, but did not get
enough of the former. The last bicycle I bought was a
Philips Lion 3-Speed English bike in 1954, for about $40
in paper route money. I used it extensivley for years,
and probably put thousands of miles on it..Until I got a
drivers' License. At that instant, being seen on a
bicycle was anathema. In the '70's I bought A Peugot ten-
speed, but there were issues with drivability and
comfort, and in particular..What kind of masochistic
pervert designed those ice-skate-like seats? The
derailleur mechanism was quirky and buggy, as well. So
it hung on the garage wall for thirty years. I am
leaving it outside tonight, as the rubbish collectors
come tomorrow morning. Maybe someone who might enjoy it
will take it overnight. My wife and I just bought a pair
of Specialized Expedition Elites, and I must comment
that things have certainly changed in thirty years! I
got mine 2 days ago..the weather was good yesterday and
just did not want to stop! I did a few miles, not having
been on a bike in decades, and got endorphined up.. a
real rush. Even though I am walking a bit strangely
today on stairs, I am going out again in a few minutes!
There is so little effort with 24 speeds, why not? The
digital (thing) that it came with says I did a peak
speed of 17 MPH, average of 8, 2.7 miles. OK, I will be
honest here: No matter how hard I pedalled, even with
wind making noises in the helmet, I could barely get
that speedometer to move ...Then I realized I had it set
on the odometer function. But when I got back I was
barely out of breath at all. The Specialized Expedition
looked like a good choice for cruising and occasional
forays onto trails..Not the best for the road, not the
best for trails, but a good compromise from what we saw.

To bad I read post on the 8th. The Peugot you threw away
could have bought you plenty more bikes.

Huh?? Statistically speaking, it was likely to have been a
middling-at-best sport touring bike. In top condition it
might have brought $30 at a garage sale. I doubt that the OP
was the type to buy a breathtakingly expensive racing bike.
They're valuable because they're rare.

Rocketman

Quoted message said:

Keep up the cycling. It will grow addictive. I just got
back from a 25 mile most relaxing and refreshing ride. I am
amazed that 25 miles just seems like nothing nowadays. It
wasn't always that way. I remember well my first 15 MILE
ride. Seemed like forever.

We already know what you mean. Went out twice today for a
few miles, then tried a park entrance road, well-graded
dirt, for a couple of miles. Damn, it's hard to STAY OFF the
things. (The Sun was out, it's been a long New England
Winter, it reached 50 °F today, Cabin Fever, and restless.)
If I may be permitted to use a '60's expression, I feel like
I did a coupe of lines. What a rush. My wife and I rode
motorcycles for decades, but as the roads got nastier, we
sold them. (She got creamed by a car that pulled out in
fornt of her, and she went over the car. Minor injuries,
sued the [censored]'s ass off.) So it was really funny today on
the park road..stopping to look at things, and MUST REMEMBER
THE LEFT LEVER is the FRONT BRAKE, not the CLUTCH! Haha.

Quoted message said:

To bad I read post on the 8th. The Peugot you threw away
could have bought you plenty more bikes.

Heh. Not this one. I got it on impulse at a yard sale, and
am convinced when I left with it the champaign was opened.
Maybe when it was new, it was something. That is why I still
feel the last bike I bought was the Philips Lion in 1954.
This thing was not rideable. Just worn out, maladjusted,
probably abused....

Methuselah said:

So it was really funny today on the park road..stopping to
look at things, and MUST REMEMBER THE LEFT LEVER is the
FRONT BRAKE, not the CLUTCH! Haha.

You don't have to keep them set up this way...

sheldonbrown.combrakturn.htmlOpen ↗

It's not a complicated switch.

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

...

Quoted message said:

My wife and I just bought a pair of Specialized Expedition
Elites, and I must comment that things have certainly
changed in thirty years! I got mine 2 days ago..the
weather was good yesterday and just did not want to stop!

Any bike which gives you that feeling is a good bike! I'm
glad to see you're out enjoying yourself in our favorite
sport. Welcome to the club!

Quoted message said:

I did a few miles, not having been on a bike in decades,
and got endorphined up.. a real rush. Even though I am

Another good sign!

Quoted message said:

walking a bit strangely today on stairs, I am going out
again in a few minutes! There is so little effort with 24
speeds, why not? The digital (thing) that it came with
says I did a peak speed of 17 MPH, average of 8, 2.7
miles. OK, I will be honest here: No matter

Not bad for your first time out in decades.

...

Quoted message said:

The Specialized Expedition looked like a good choice for
cruising and occasional forays onto trails..Not the best
for the road, not the best for trails, but a good
compromise from what we saw.

After you ride it for a couple of years, you may find that
you prefer more road riding on a pure road bike style, or
more off-road riding, and you can get a new bike appropriate
for your updated preferences. But in the mean time, a hybrid
is always a good choice.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return
address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

Dan Daniel said:

Methuselah said:

So it was really funny today on the park road..stopping to
look at things, and MUST REMEMBER THE LEFT LEVER is the
FRONT BRAKE, not the CLUTCH! Haha.

You don't have to keep them set up this way...

sheldonbrown.combrakturn.htmlOpen ↗

It's funny -- sitting here at the computer, I can't remember
for sure which brake lever controls which brake on my bike.
Yet I've never had a problem using the brakes whilst riding.
Guess it's inborn.

--
Steven O'Neill [email hidden]

Methuselah said:

My wife and I rode motorcycles for decades, but as the
roads got nastier, we sold them. (She got creamed by a car
that pulled out in fornt of her, and she went over the
car. Minor injuries, sued the [censored]'s ass off.) So it
was really funny today on the park road..stopping to look
at things, and MUST REMEMBER THE LEFT LEVER is the FRONT
BRAKE, not the CLUTCH! Haha.

Not if you swap the cables so you don't develop conflicting
reflexes. I had enough of that when one of my bikes shifted
on the right and one shifted on the left.

--
Cheers, Bev
===========================================================
An organizer for the "Million Agoraphobics March" expressed
disappointment in the turnout for last weekend's event.

On Mon, 8 Mar 2004 00:41:55 +0000 (UTC), [email hidden] (Steven M.

O'Neill) said:

Dan Daniel said:

Methuselah said:

So it was really funny today on the park road..stopping
to look at things, and MUST REMEMBER THE LEFT LEVER is
the FRONT BRAKE, not the CLUTCH! Haha.

You don't have to keep them set up this way...

sheldonbrown.combrakturn.htmlOpen ↗

It's funny -- sitting here at the computer, I can't
remember for sure which brake lever controls which brake on
my bike. Yet I've never had a problem using the brakes
whilst riding. Guess it's inborn.

I always know, no matter what side of the Atlantic I'm
riding (my UK bikes were set UK style, front brake on
the right.)

You mean you don't visualize favourite rides before you go
to bed at night? tcha!

-Luigi