Many thanks, I don't want to read too much of that website though as I still recall earning about £18.00 per week in 1980 on a YTS scheme when I left school and it still hurts!
Right, onto matters H. Hall Esq:
I gave it a decent ride out today as promised. I reckon about 16-17 miles all in and I was surprised by how nice it was. Obvioulsy it feels it's age but it's actually pretty light and on a flat it goes along quite well. I was doing some half decent speeds (estimate about 18-20mph) for a bit and it's then when I really started missing gearing as I was gaining on a couple of lads on fancy new race bikes but just couldn't catch them when they upped the ante a bit!
The crank feels slightly sort of 'un-oiled' or out of kilter, but not really enough to worry about to be honest. The back tyre looks ancient, the front a bit newer but not perfect but they both held up fine, it rode in a straight line and attracted quite a bit of interest. The one and only brake was, erm, 'entertaining' I think we'll call it, but it did just about slow it down. Also as I didn't buy the bike for balls out racing and fast roads then for now I can live with it.
So, a very entertaining and involving ride, the perfect compliment to my Trek mountain bike and Giant road bike.
Have a couple of 'this proves my bike was here but I could have cheated and taken it in the car for all you know' picture to celebrate todays great achievement of old man riding old bike to see old cars!
I broke a strap on my lovely saddle bag* though, I think I'll try and find somewhere that does leather repairs and have it fixed. I expect I could buy another but to me that's a bit of it's past life thrown away and it'd be a waste anyhow.
*How much of a euphemism did that sound? I should at this point out I have NOT had some dodgy cycling related accident to one of my prized conkers.
Oh, and thanks for the award for having an award!!!
