70 plus years on me bike

[PeterW]

Hullo , just joined Pedelecs ( with help from Helen as I'm a bit of an amateur with computers ) But I am very impressed with the forums and all the knowledge on our favourite pastime . Yes , I am in my eighties and , weather permitting , manage 8 to 10 miles a day on my Giant Halfway folder . my favourite bike in the past was the " Curly Hetchins " But now quite happy to study Mother Nature as I plod along . So keep on pedalling folks and reclaim the highways and byways from the internal combustion engine . PeterW

 

[twinkle]

" Curly Hetchins " and H E Bates , and the Raleigh fork tops all part of amateur cycle racing in the 50's when even frame name advertising was not allowed . I saw a Hetchins trike with a front wheel e-motor a couple of weeks ago .
May you have fair weather and sunny days to study mother nature on your way ,,
BTW I have a 1951 Hobbs of Barbican Blue Riband road bike .
oh the memories of real handmade bikes .

regards emma

 

[PeterW]

Yes , Emma , I had a bike made to my spec in 1951 by F.C.Parke's in Swansea while serving in the RAF at St Athens , it lasted me for many enjoyable years . My pal used swan around on his Paris Galibier till the frame cracked !! Heady days indeed .

 

[twinkle]

Another rave from the grave -- Paris .

I met Les Parker almost 30 years ago who was a Frame builder for Hobbs and he recognised the frame as one that he had built and gave me the replacement transfers for it., I bought it second hand from a Guy in Sussex who was one of the first to gone "under the hour " in a 25mile time trial .
I also had a Wally Green Road frame , I wonder how many more of these classics are out there .
I went to our local Tip and found a pair of Sprints and a 23" framed Hills Special had been dumped there , It must have sat in someone's shed for many years , the tubes still held air .
I know the operators and got it for a tenner , In the saddle bag I found a program for a 1959 track meeting at Preston Park in Brighton and a handful of fixed sprockets . ,
.
Now my everyday transport is the e-trike , There is nothing better than sitting comfortably with your feet up, arms beside you , cycling around town with 28 gears to smooth your way and a motor to get you home when you feel tired

regards emma

 

[wissy]

Wowee... That is very impressive. both learning to use the computer and the mileage you are doing every day. Welcome to the forum from Anglesey

 

[PeterW]

Thanks Wissy , but your poem is all Chinese writing and small wheels to me !!! I wish you a happy cycling life as I am having . PeterW. PS , I have given up the idea of purchasing an electric bike and have bought a Tern Swoop D7 instead as I figure it will be OK for a comfortable stroll for me .

 

[RobF]

I have given up the idea of purchasing an electric bike and have bought a Tern Swoop D7 instead as I figure it will be OK for a comfortable stroll for me .

Nice bike, although I'm not quite sure how it is an upgrade on your Giant.

 

[PeterW]

RobF , yes it is a bit different but my Halfway has had a long hard life as it is a 2002 model and ready for semi retirement . The carrying capacity of the Swoop is superior in that as well as having a good sized rear carrier , I have fitted the forward Kanga carrier to it . My friends have good storage facilities and my BikeE recumbent , Woosh Sundowner and Izip Currie drive are safely stowed there . Due to getting a bit on the slow side of life , I decided to be more sedate in my cycling ; hence the Swoop . Thanks for your interest , PeterW

 

[RobF]

. My friends have good storage facilities and my BikeE recumbent , Woosh Sundowner and Izip Currie drive are safely stowed there .

Peter,

You've confused me now, I didn't realise you already have ebikes.

I do get why you've replaced the Giant, it's done well for 12 or so years but I expect a refurb might not be cost effective.

Unpowered bikes are much simpler and more reliable, so the longer you can manage with one the better.

A lot of guys in their 80s cannot get across a room, so eight or 10 miles on a bike is a good effort.

And I bet you have some good adventures even in that short distance, one just does on a bike.

Chris Froome has mentioned several times how he views his cycling partly as reliving the marvellous times he had on a bike as a child in Kenya.