moto tom

Recently joined to ask some questions regarding my vintage bike. I bought a Motobecane Grand Jubile' new in '73 or '74. Reynolds 531 lugged frame, Huret derailier, Pivo bars, Stronglight crank etc. Rode it enthusiastically through college years and a bit beyond, but then came job, house and kids and the Moto was relegated to the basement where it hung untouched for over 35 yrs! One day, about two and a half years ago, I decided to pull the dusty old Moto out from the cellar and get it running again. New tires, cables, repacked bearings (and now new Mavic rims) I'm riding about 100 miles/wk, including winter (weather permitting), and enjoying it with renewed vigor! Getting myself back into shape for a 70 mile ride through Lancaster County, PA (Covered Bridge Tour). I turned 70 this year, so my goal is to do that 70 mile ride in August!

I've also discovered the Strava app and it has been helpful to keep my rides interesting, tracking my continued improvement through segments, and seeing where I stand in the 70 yr old bracket ;-)

Friends and LBS owners tempt me with carbon and aluminum, index shifting, cleats and so on, but I'm just enjoying the steel and toe clips for now...it's really the only 'serious' bike I've known and have resisted offers to ride a 'modern' bike ;-) Better save the $ for some good hearing aids!

So it's been like connecting with an old friend with whom you've had a lot of past history, and getting to know them again after a long break. Now it's a question of who will conk out first, me or the bike!

Steven_04

That's awesome! Keep it up, new bikes have benefits but if the old one doing fine just keep it. Worst case take new one for a test ride see what you think of it, you owe yourself that.

DrIsotope

Hello and welcome to Bike Forums!

Hermes

Welcome and check out the classic and vintage forum.

cb400bill

Welcome. Lots of Motobecane love in our Classic & Vintage forum.

StanSeven

Welcome. My first road bike was a Motobecane. I often think about finding another now.

Siu Blue Wind

Greetings from NorCal! Thanks for joining! There's a lot of infor in Classic and Vintage

BillyD

Welcome to Bike Forums!

moto tom

Thanks all, I read c&v regularly and finished my 70 miler a few weeks ago, and so did the bike ;-)

Wildwood 

Don't forget the 50+ Forum and the 65+ thread that's there.
Gotta support the chat for those of us pushing the envelope of older riders.

100mi/wk even in winter means a southern location for you.

Ride on.

moto tom

Actually in SE PA. Good gear gets me through to about 25* Below that, in the wind, is no fun.

blackbomber

Holy cow you're my hero, Tom.

I can't honestly say I'm looking forward to 70 (at 44), but I can say I'm looking forward to being better and fitter than I am now at that age. And stories like yours show it's very possible. Way to go, man!

BigJonny

Hey,

Welcome fellow Motobecane fanatic! I ride a 1984 Motobecane Mirage Sport that I restored a number of weeks ago.

Don't let people talk you into one of those newer bikes: why drop down to ho-hum when you're riding a beautiful (both in ride and looks) legend.

BTW, I'll be 75 (3 generations) in October 2019. . . started riding when I was about 6 years old in NYC and still get a high from traveling the area's roads at a leisurely 10 mph (16kph.)

So, as I mentioned in a similar Forum a few moments ago, the age factor is no factor at all for getting up on the saddle and enjoying or "re-enjoying" cycling. . .

Let's show those young whippersnappers that we still have it!

Ride hard, ride safe.

J.



75 and still going strong!

Happytrails1963

Welcome to the Bike Forums!

moto tom

Thanks for all the kind comments