What-o!

[Dr.Doo]

Hello folks, I thought I'm introduce myself. I'd Doc and I'm new to the forum. I'm a Brit and just come back to cycling after more than a decade out of the saddle.

I gave up smoking last year after a near fatal chest infection and my Father promised to buy me a bike as my KHS mountain bike had been stolen some years before. The budget was small so I searched and searched until finally, just after I'd passed my 1yr non smoking anniversary, I found the bike I wanted on good old ebay. A hand-built mid 80's tourer with some nice quality bits. She was built for the lady I bought her from who is very similar dimensions to me - the only thing I've changed is I've lowered the handlebars a couple of inches. All she needs is fenders and a rack as she's my main form of transport around the local area. I know she's an 'old girl' but then I'm no spring chicken either! ;)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/scoobs63/IMG_0055-1.jpg

[Roadtrip]

Welcome to TE. There are a few other ladies from your neck of the woods here. Congrats on giving up the smokes!!! Love your bike. I've always thought those classist touring bikes just exude style and class.

Shannon

[Dr.Doo]

Ta ever so much for the welcome Roadtrip/Shannon and the 'grats. Giving up smoking is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Just wish I'd done it before I got the lung disease.

Yup Lady H is one classy velo and quite the best bike I've ever owned despite being a rather middle-aged lady now. She's a joy to ride after riding my housemates old Raleigh clunker for the past year.

[Bike Writer]

Welcome and congrats on giving up the smokes! What a grand and classic bike.

[Dr.Doo]

Thank-you Bike Writer.

She certainly is a grand ride. :D

[Owlie]

Congratulations on giving up smoking, and on the new bike! It's very pretty!

[Dr.Doo]

Thank-you Owlie. She is very purty isn't she. :)

[Bike Chick]

Welcome to TE and congrats on joining the non-smoking world. I quit a few years ago after smoking for 25 years. That's when I bought my bicycle too.

Yours sure is a beauty! Very nice.

[Dr.Doo]

Hey there and thanks Bike Chick. :)

[Tri Girl]

Welcome to TE- and yes, that classic bike is gorgeous!! Your new lungs are not only going to be thankful you gave up smoking, they're going to LOVE all that oxygen you're going to pumping into them on that lovely bike! :) Wishing you many happy miles together!!

[Dr.Doo]

Hey there Tri Girl and thank-you. My lungs do indeed thank me. I just wish I'd given up when I was first diagnosed with lung disease. Sadly the prognosis is that I will have 50% lung function from here on. My job is to keep the function I do have by getting fit and making my lungs work-out on my bike.

I forsee many, many mile for Lady H and I together. :)