What Should You Have Done Years Ago (With Your Bike)
09-14-17, 09:49 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What Should You Have Done Years Ago (With Your Bike)
I've had an awakening today. For the first time, I've ridden using proper cycling shoes and cleats. I'm 60 years old. What an experience. Never again will I ride my bike without them.
I really should have done this years ago. What should you have done (keep it clean please!)?
I really should have done this years ago. What should you have done (keep it clean please!)?
09-14-17, 09:55 AM
#2
Bad example
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Seattle and Reims
Posts: 3,072
Bikes: Peugeot: AO-8 1973, PA-10 1971, PR-10 1973, Sante 1988; Masi Gran Criterium 1975, Stevenson Tourer 1980, Stevenson Criterium 1981, Schwinn Paramount 1972, Rodriguez 2006, Gitane Federal ~1975, Holdsworth Pro, Follis 172 ~1973, Bianchi '62
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 828 Post(s)
Liked 214 Times
in
97 Posts
I should never have given away my Titanium DuoPar.
09-14-17, 12:22 PM
#5
Beicwyr Hapus
Not sold my Rensch Champion du Monde (especially not for peanuts) 
09-14-17, 12:32 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,585 Times
in
2,344 Posts
take the last ferry to Martha's Vineyard & ride all night, until sunrise, then nap on the beach
09-14-17, 03:33 PM
#7
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,811 Times
in
3,319 Posts
Years ago..... So I guess we must be talking about the 26" Schwinn Varsity that I bought brand new in 1977 and rode until 2012.
I should have taken it back the day after I bought it and got the 25" 1977 Schwinn Paramount that that was at the shop. At that time I saw no need for light bikes. There were not a lot of hills where I lived at that time and my legs were strong enough to get me up any of them. Now I'm in a fairly hilly part of the state and my legs aint got the muscle they used to.
If years ago means something I did recently that I should have done years ago...... That would be slap on an 11 speed cassette and STI shifters.
I should have taken it back the day after I bought it and got the 25" 1977 Schwinn Paramount that that was at the shop. At that time I saw no need for light bikes. There were not a lot of hills where I lived at that time and my legs were strong enough to get me up any of them. Now I'm in a fairly hilly part of the state and my legs aint got the muscle they used to.
If years ago means something I did recently that I should have done years ago...... That would be slap on an 11 speed cassette and STI shifters.
09-14-17, 04:45 PM
#8
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
I try to avoid woulda-coulda-shoulda reminiscences, but...
Back in the 1970s I rode everywhere, from daily commutes to weekend rides to century rides and huge group rides like the Rosarita-Ensenada and Mexicali-San Felipe. Those were a blast.
I should have tried a triathlon back in the 1970s when it was just getting to be a thing in Southern California. I enjoyed reading about the exploits of fellow eccentrics like Tom Warren, a true amateur athlete in the positive sense of the term. Now, 40 years later with a damaged C2 vertebrae, I can't run anymore without pain from jolting.
I shoulda kept my 1976 Motobecane, tools and Detto Pietros. After the 2001 car wreck that busted up my neck and back I figured I'd never ride again so I sold everything. Too expensive to replace those custom fitted, cleated Dettos now for use with quill pedals and toe clips, although every time I ride my Centurion Ironman road bike I got this summer I do wonder whether I might ride just a little stronger and faster if I wasn't on platforms.
Got back into cycling in 2015. No regrets since then. Every day is a fresh start. Some rides are better than others but there are no bad bike rides, compared with the alternative.
Back in the 1970s I rode everywhere, from daily commutes to weekend rides to century rides and huge group rides like the Rosarita-Ensenada and Mexicali-San Felipe. Those were a blast.
I should have tried a triathlon back in the 1970s when it was just getting to be a thing in Southern California. I enjoyed reading about the exploits of fellow eccentrics like Tom Warren, a true amateur athlete in the positive sense of the term. Now, 40 years later with a damaged C2 vertebrae, I can't run anymore without pain from jolting.
I shoulda kept my 1976 Motobecane, tools and Detto Pietros. After the 2001 car wreck that busted up my neck and back I figured I'd never ride again so I sold everything. Too expensive to replace those custom fitted, cleated Dettos now for use with quill pedals and toe clips, although every time I ride my Centurion Ironman road bike I got this summer I do wonder whether I might ride just a little stronger and faster if I wasn't on platforms.
Got back into cycling in 2015. No regrets since then. Every day is a fresh start. Some rides are better than others but there are no bad bike rides, compared with the alternative.
09-15-17, 05:59 AM
#9
Senior Member
Should have kept that Raleigh 10 speed from the 60s.
09-15-17, 06:19 AM
#10
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 58
Bikes: Diamondback Cross Campus (1993), Trek Domane 2.3 (2016), Cannondale Topstone 105 AL (2020)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had an awesome white Univega Sportour, circa 1983, that I dumped somewhere along the road of life.
I think it may have been part of a downsizing move. I wish I had kept it.
Original Shimano 600 friction shifting. Oh well.....
I think it may have been part of a downsizing move. I wish I had kept it.
Original Shimano 600 friction shifting. Oh well.....
09-15-17, 09:02 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
It took me a long time to wrap my head around the idea of riding a tadpole trike. Now that I've had it for a year, I wish that I had done it sooner.
On the other hand, it has taken an entire lifetime's experiences, some good and some bad, to get me to the point where I'm at today. I'm extremely happy with my life today so I'm thinking that it's all been good. There are certainly things that I'd do differently, but I don't regret any of it.
On the other hand, it has taken an entire lifetime's experiences, some good and some bad, to get me to the point where I'm at today. I'm extremely happy with my life today so I'm thinking that it's all been good. There are certainly things that I'd do differently, but I don't regret any of it.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
09-15-17, 10:16 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: New England
Posts: 85
Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 2, S-Works Camber, Eddy Merckx Ti-Ax
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
More honest answer than last time - used easier gears earlier on.
I'm a spinner by nature, but back in the 80's-90's there was this stupid notion that we all should man up and use corn cob straight block cassettes, no matter how steep the roads around you were. It didn't wreck my knees, mercifully, but it was the cause of a lot of poor rides, poor riding, and demotivation.
I'm a spinner by nature, but back in the 80's-90's there was this stupid notion that we all should man up and use corn cob straight block cassettes, no matter how steep the roads around you were. It didn't wreck my knees, mercifully, but it was the cause of a lot of poor rides, poor riding, and demotivation.
09-15-17, 10:23 AM
#17
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,630
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 945 Post(s)
Liked 1,990 Times
in
569 Posts
I should have finished my cross country ride across the US ... YEARS ago.
I got all the way to Northfield Minnesota and stalled out there. Since they are running the ride only every 2 years and I have 4 more stages to go, if I don't get at it, I'll be a fossil by the time I finish (well, make that more of a fossil than I am already).
I got all the way to Northfield Minnesota and stalled out there. Since they are running the ride only every 2 years and I have 4 more stages to go, if I don't get at it, I'll be a fossil by the time I finish (well, make that more of a fossil than I am already).
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
09-15-17, 10:53 AM
#18
Senior Member
I wish I hadn't put the bike away from 2002-2013. OTOH, I'm really glad I started riding again.
09-15-17, 11:09 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Maple Valley, WA
Posts: 105
Bikes: Gary Fisher Tass, Trek Crossrip 3, Miscellaneous Trek frames
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
I wish I still had that swing bike I had when I was 8. They're apparently worth serious scratch right now.
09-15-17, 12:20 PM
#20
Senior Member
I wish I had gotten a lowracer at age 30. The problem with that wish is twofold: 1. they didn't exist back then, and 2. I couldn't have afforded one.
09-15-17, 02:21 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
09-15-17, 03:33 PM
#23
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
I should have rode to the monastery and stayed there.
09-15-17, 04:24 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: the Low countries
Posts: 283
Bikes: 1980 Koga Miyata Gents Touring; 1980 Koga Miyata Gents Racer; 1980 Koga Miyata Roadspeed; and aiming for the rest of that year's brochure
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Keeping score of the distances I rode, ever since the first long rides as a 14 year old, so I'd have known my Eddington Number for sure.
09-15-17, 04:27 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,791
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
293 Posts
I've had an awakening today. For the first time, I've ridden using proper cycling shoes and cleats. I'm 60 years old. What an experience. Never again will I ride my bike without them.
I really should have done this years ago. What should you have done (keep it clean please!)?
I really should have done this years ago. What should you have done (keep it clean please!)?
