Reunion with an OLD FRIEND!!

[cindysue]

that's what TE is here for. WE GET IT! BikerHen

well said, biker Hen!

As for the relatives, they're jealous! Screw 'em honey (my opinion!), you're awesome! And I would love to see the restored bike!

Best!

[Trekhawk]

well said, biker Hen!

As for the relatives, they're jealous! Screw 'em honey (my opinion!), you're awesome! And I would love to see the restored bike!

Best!

Well said, Cindysue and Bikerhen. We think you are great Mary. Happy riding.

[Grog]

Well done Mary, it's a sweet bike you have there.

I can't help imagining it with clip-on pedals to make it even faster, the bike would never have dreamt of that!

Enjoy ...

and as for the relatives, everything has been said. I agree that they're envious. Close your ears and have fun, in the end you're in a better situation: you have the bike!!! (and the fun that goes with it)

[TrekJeni]

I saw you in the distance at the Hilly this year but never got to say hi. I've been following your progress and want to say JUST DO IT. You are certainly an inspiration. Keep it going.

Jeni

[massbikebabe]

You hang in there Mary,

My family can't fathom the idea that I want to get better so I can <gasp> ride my bike!!! They have this illusion that I should sit at home and be the happy stroke survivor for the rest of my life To this I say NOT!!




karen

[Lise]

YAY Mary! I am so happy for you, and proud of you for standing up to all that flak. You must have them in shock. You cannot be acting according to an old script!

The bike looks wonderful. I started riding the summer of 2002, training for a triathlon I had no business signing up for, since my only bike was a comfort bike, which I never rode anyways. My mom's friends from her bike club gave me a mid-70s Schwinn Breeze that they'd found in an alley. I replaced the brake pads, and the inner tubes, and that was it. I did have to get a tetanus shot when the rusty pedal got me in the shin, but your pedals look pretty clean. I rode it all over town, and thus began the athletic adventure of the second half of my life. That's what your bike makes me think of. You are going to cruise on that baby. Looking forward to hearing the stories!

(((Mary))) Lise

[DeniseGoldberg]

Mary -
In the words of one of my co-workers "you go girl!".
You should feel fabulous about the road that you've covered. You've come such a long way, and your attitude is great. I would have been upset with those comments too...

Happy riding with your old friend.

--- Denise

[Melody]

Mary, way to go! And your old friend looks beautiful. Don't let your family's reaction keep you down. Keep on riding.

They have this illusion that I should sit at home and be the happy stroke survivor for the rest of my life To this I say NOT!!

Karen to you I have to say OUTSTANDING! As another stroke survivor remember what was said in Galaxy Quest (the movie)... "Never give up. Never surrender."

So Kudos to both of you ladies!

Mel

[CorsairMac]

welcome to the wonderful world of vintage bikes Mary! I have lost my Dads old Raleigh in the many moves of my life and I am sad. As much as I would love to have a brand-spanking new bike, I wouldn't trade my 85 Peugeot or 87 Trek for anything in the world! As for the family: remember the old saying, you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family!

[Bike Goddess]

Mary- I don't get a lot of support from my family either. I think they just DON't GET IT! I think they think we're obssessed or something. I know that before I started riding 2years ago, I thought cyclists were a bit obsessed too. Now that I am one of "them", it's a different story altogether.

Perhaps it's the publicity that Tour de France gets, perhaps its because you've really used your cycling to turn your life around and they can't deal with that. I'll bet they feel hopeless to change their lives and when someone in their family actually shows it can be done, they react by being negative. My gosh, if they were positive, they might have to change their ways AND negative thoughts about themselves!!!! You have transformed yourself thought wise and otherwise. You've gotten out of a rut. The LAST people who can see that are the relatives! Thank goodness you have a supportive husband!

I know it hurts to hear them, I've gone through that myself. Thank goodness we have our cycling friends to support us! It at least makes that part of my life richer and much more fun!

I hope the bike fits so you can get out there and show your stuff with the guys

[snapdragen]

Very cool Mary! Please ask someone about removing the "suicide levers" (the secondary brake levers) If I recall - those old levers were quite dangerous; not like the levers sold today.

[Ninabike]

Hi Mary,

Your bike is beautiful. Vintage bikes are very desireable!! Looks like you have a Brooks saddle - very classy!! Does the bike have Suntour componants? - Suntour was very innovative when they came out. I would give anything to be reunited with my 1962 Frejus 531 bike with Campy Gran sport. Your positive attitude in spite of all kinds of adversity is such an inspiration to all.

Keep it up and let's see a picture when you're riding that bike!!

Nina

[KSH]

That rocks that you got your old friend back!

Families... parents... some can be annoying... and downright rude.

I can barely talk to my Mom because of her constant *****ing about how horrible her life is... and various people who have done her wrong.

Good luck on getting your bike back up to riding par! I am sure it will be rolling again real soon!

[Jo-n-NY]

I am wishing you the best best of luck with the reunion of your new friend. May you have many Happy Riding Miles!

As far as family goes, you can't choose your family but you can choose your friends. I often wonder about the other saying, blood is thicker than water.

You left with your head held high...be proud!!!!

~ JoAnn

[mary9761]

thanks again everyone. I'm sorry I'm so late getting back to you all on this. I baby sit my 2 grandsons and it's been a ROUGH week. The oldest is 2 and the youngest is 4 months old, teething and getting cereal and baby food for the first time so is having upset tummy problems and ends up screaming for what seems like an eternity throughout the day. Needless to say since I'm there from 7AM to at least 6PM and he isn't wanting to sleep well, I'm one tired grandma. Usually by the time I get home, I'm doing good to make time for a spin [I HAVE TO SPIN FOR MY SANITY] then get ready for bed to start all over again at 5:30AM
Anyways, I'm going to try to catch up on some posting and wanted to let you all know I finally got some more photos of the bike up on my photobucket site. http://photobucket.com/albums/a361/m...20Continental/