Hello

[Python]

Hello. I'm new to this forum.

After not being on a bike for well over 25 years, I've just bought one

We have a local market and hubby and I went up there today. There is a stall that sells second-hand bikes and I spotted a ladies racer. It had a fairly small frame which suited my short legs and was only £25 It is a Raleigh. It is very lightweight, needs a bit of a clean-up and the gears aren't working (Derailleur) but is probably the cable needing adjustment. Everything else on the bike is fine. I was undecided so the chap selling it said £20. Still undecided. Meanwhile hubby is looking on in amusement. Although I used to ride a bike in my younger day I'd never ridden a racer before. Eventually, the chap says £18. Well, that's an offer I couldn't refuse, so I am now the proud owner of the racer

The only way to get it home (just under 3 miles) was to ride it as it wouldn't fit in the car - so I did. Hubby arrived home 5 minutes before I did.

I was very surprised at how well it went - and how easy it is to ride. I rode my son's bike (a mountain bike) last week and only went round the block, less than half a mile and was completely shattered when I came back, out of breath and legs like jelly. With this bike, I wasn't even out of breath and barely warm. It's probably the nicest bike I've ever ridden - and I've ridden a few in my time

Hubby changed his job recently and now uses the family car more than I do. I didn't want to get another car because of the ever increasing costs of running a car so the bike is an ideal solution. I'm quite lucky where we live as we have quite a few cycle routes and a lot of cycle paths plus use of the bus lanes.

The only snag is, where I live, if I go into town it's downhill all the way...and uphill all the way back

Anyway, I'm feeling really pleased with myself and my bike and think bike and me are going to have a long and happy relationship

[sandy45]

That is great! Congradulations! I am a mountian biker, but i have a few road cyclist friends. Welcome.

Sandy

[KnottedYet]

What a great find! Congratulations! And welcome to TE.

[mimitabby]

congratulations, Python, and welcome to our forum!

[Bad JuJu]

Hi, Python--Welcome, and congrats on your awesome find! You'll notice there are quite a number of us here who are back on our bikes after a hiatus, long or short. And lots of us are not exactly spring chickens either . Let us see some pictures of your new bike!

[Denise223]

Hi Python!

Welcome to TE!

You're going to love it here - lots of great women and a very friendly environment

Have a wonderful day!

Denise

[Python]

Thanks everyone. I'm sure I'll enjoy my stay on the forum

Had a closer look at the bike. The gear cable is very slack so that's my job for tomorrow - adjust the gear cable. If I need to put on a new one, we have a cycle shop about 2 miles away (give me an excuse to ride it ).

I've found out it's either a Raleigh Impulse Ladies Racer or the Romano (there's not much difference between the two), probably round about 20 years old (maybe a bit less). Once I give it a good clean up I'll post a piccy of it.

Can anyone recommend a good cycle lock for it? Unfortunately, bikes can be a target for thieves and I don't want to go somewhere and find my bike's gone.

[Python]

Well, we've started cleaning the bike up...and we think she's been an unwanted Christmas present at some time as underneath the dirt the bike is all original - right down to the tyres. Already she's cleanng up nicely. There is some rust pitting on the rear carrier but should come off using wire wool followed by some metal polish.

I'm not sure of the gearing so I'll probably nip down to the local cycle shop tomorrow and ask them. Any bike I've had in the past has had Sturmey Archer gears (3 hub type gears). This has a little lever you move back and forth so I haven't a clue which position is which gear. At the moment she's in granny gear (suits me just now) but I'd like to get all the gears working properly.

She should be ready for her first photo-shoot tomorrow