Your first love...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by limewave

When I was 14 yo I saved my money and bought a Bianchi Nyala. I rode that bike everywhere: to work, school, friends, just to get away . . . It was my first taste of freedom.

9 years later, I was severely obese and unhappy. I found the bike buried in my parents garage. Dusted her off, put some air in the tires, and began to ride again. And lost 150 pounds.

Then I met my husband and we did many bike rides around the neighborhood. He took me on my first single-track ride and I suffered greatly on my Nyala. I cried in pain as I climbed the last big hill, not willing to give up.

Then I fell in love with cycling (DH too) and more bikes came into the garage. And then babies followed. It was time to say good bye to the Nyala. We needed the room and some money.

It was a piece of junk. Rusty and falling apart. I thought it was going to be easy to sell it. However, I cried for days. I even went through a period of depression. I still miss her.

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awwwwww. Everyone who cycles has a story, and yours has just made a little bit tearful! 150lbs!

I do have an attachment to all my bikes. There's nothing wrong with owning more that one bike. I still ride my old vintage HAro Impulse bike, more so in the winter. But, I can also understand making room for another bike or if cash is needed. But, I also sold a few bikes that now I wish I had.

I'll never get rid of Walter, my 1978 Raleigh Gran Prix. How could I? It was a 1st anniversary gift from DH. I have so many memories of good rides and good times with/on that bike that he has a pension, as far as I'm concerned.

I even turned it into a project bike last winter. I had all sorts of fun downstairs puttering with Walter.

He doesn't quite fit me, so my main bike is my recumbent, but I keep him around for sentimental reasons, and because sometimes it is good to have a second bike hanging around.

The Raleigh Grand Prix is a lovely bike. I just purchased a vintage Raleigh Ladies Sports bike with the original Sturmey-archer hub. Though I know it's not going to be fast, I look forward to riding it on sunny afternoons.

My first love was my blue and white banana seat Schwinn, with handlebar streamers. My mom woke up at 6am to stand in line that the store, so she could get it for me. I would ride that bike every day, for hours.

Those memories on that bike are the only reason I've ever decided to get back on one. I loved that bike! Lol.