Your first love...

[indigoiis]

When I was thirteen I got a Huffy Strider for Christmas. Actually, I traded my sister for it - she got my Mom's hand-me-down Raleigh which she promptly turned in to an Art Bike. But that Strider was awesome. I called it Chrome Cruncher, because I rear-ended some tourist's car in front of Touro Synagogue in Newport at that light, and the tourist's car's bumper was actually dented (the bike was unharmed.)

Looked kinda like this one...

[blackhillsbiker]

I had a beautiful green Cannondale comfort bike that got me back into cycling. I was rehabbing my back, so she was perfect. As I got into better shape, I wanted something I could ride more aggressively. My lower back started complaining about doing hills on a completely upright bike. I got my Kona Dew and felt increasingly bad about leaving the C'dale in the garage all the time. A good friend of ours was frustrated about the used mountain bike her hubby got her at a yard sale. It didn't fit her and she didn't enjoy it. I ended up selling my beloved bike to her. She loves it and I get the double joy of seeing her ride in the evenings with her hubby (a big grin on her face) and knowing it went to a good home. Now I'm ready to graduate from the hybrid Dew to a road bike. For now, the Dew will continue to be the commuter since I can't put a rack and fenders on my roadie. We ride more, and our bodies change. Pass on your beloved first bike to someone else who needs to discover the joy of riding. Your mom sounds like the perfect candidate.
Deb

[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.

[Cataboo]

I always think that I'm going to regret having sold a bike or miss it - but truthfully, I've never ended up regretting it - because usually I'm selling them because they didn't quite fit or weren't right for me and because I've got a replacement that is better. About 3 of my current bikes are perfect for me - and if I ever had to sell them for money, yes, I'd be really upset about having to sell them.

I vaguely regret that my childhood 10 speed isn't still around so that I can make a singlespeed out of it, but...

[hebe]

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.

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

[MyRubyE]

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.

[MomOnBike]

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.

[MyRubyE]

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.

[rianners]

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.