I've always been into things that have wheels. About the same time I was old enough to cut grass with a gasoline lawnmower (it had wheels), I got my first real bicycle as a present. I remember it even today. It was then called an English Racer. It had 3 speeds and skinny tires. That was a cool bike for a kid. Some of my friends had bikes with a suspended front fork with a large spring, but that didn't blow your hair like an English Racer.
After the Army and having an "Ex", I bought a used 10 speed, don't even know the brand, but it was at least a little more sophisticated than the "English Racer". Besides, it had more gears.
Being a bachelor again and wanting to have fun, I got a motorcycle. The trouble with them, if you have a speed streak, bigger is better. Worked up the Honda and Kawasaki line until I leveled off with a KZ 1000. One Sunday cleaning the Kawasaki in the driveway, a guy pulls in on a Honda 750 and we talked bikes for a while. Come to find out he lives around the corner from me. He saw my 10 speed and conned me into one of his "rides". His rides consisted of a long ride and it always seemed like there was a head wind.
I got into the bicycle thing because I got extremely exhausted to the point of getting dizzy, and I thought that it has to be healthy to get that wiped out. We would ride a few nights a week, and cruise the beach on Sundays.
About the same time I was asked to speak about woodworking to a womens arts and crafts group. Hey, there is a God. Me, single, an invited guest speaker at a womens group.
The night of my talk, most of them were around my age, and there were a few choice picks.
There was this one that looked very athletic that I talked with after the meeting. She was definitely an "8" or "9". I find out she is into bicycle riding. What an in. I suggest that some weekend we go riding. She said OK. I thought this was a smooth move.
Well, the next day I figured that I couldn't show up with an ordinary 10 speed. I had to look the part. So, I buy riding gear, you know the spandex stuff, and a new bike. It was a Peugeot, and it was big bucks, but it was light as heck. Anyway, the day of the ride, I was ready for anything. Can't be outdone by a chick, but can't let her think I'm making it easy for her.
Showed up at her house all decked out, and even had "dinner attire" with me. Well, when she said she rides, she rides. She had trophies all over her house for cycling events from all over the country. I knew at that moment I was in for an interesting day.
Off we went into the wild blue yonder. I can't even describe the ride. She hardly got out of breath. I had to follow her because I didn't want her to hear me panting. We couldn't talk much because I was always somewhere around a quarter of a mile behind her. After about 25 -30 miles, I doubt I had the strength to put on my "dinner clothes". I was beat, in more ways than one.
We had a few outings after that, and considering the kind of "exercise" I was experiencing with her, led me to follow the fishing theory of letting a good catch go.
After the Army and having an "Ex", I bought a used 10 speed, don't even know the brand, but it was at least a little more sophisticated than the "English Racer". Besides, it had more gears.
Being a bachelor again and wanting to have fun, I got a motorcycle. The trouble with them, if you have a speed streak, bigger is better. Worked up the Honda and Kawasaki line until I leveled off with a KZ 1000. One Sunday cleaning the Kawasaki in the driveway, a guy pulls in on a Honda 750 and we talked bikes for a while. Come to find out he lives around the corner from me. He saw my 10 speed and conned me into one of his "rides". His rides consisted of a long ride and it always seemed like there was a head wind.
I got into the bicycle thing because I got extremely exhausted to the point of getting dizzy, and I thought that it has to be healthy to get that wiped out. We would ride a few nights a week, and cruise the beach on Sundays.
About the same time I was asked to speak about woodworking to a womens arts and crafts group. Hey, there is a God. Me, single, an invited guest speaker at a womens group.
The night of my talk, most of them were around my age, and there were a few choice picks.
There was this one that looked very athletic that I talked with after the meeting. She was definitely an "8" or "9". I find out she is into bicycle riding. What an in. I suggest that some weekend we go riding. She said OK. I thought this was a smooth move.
Well, the next day I figured that I couldn't show up with an ordinary 10 speed. I had to look the part. So, I buy riding gear, you know the spandex stuff, and a new bike. It was a Peugeot, and it was big bucks, but it was light as heck. Anyway, the day of the ride, I was ready for anything. Can't be outdone by a chick, but can't let her think I'm making it easy for her.
Showed up at her house all decked out, and even had "dinner attire" with me. Well, when she said she rides, she rides. She had trophies all over her house for cycling events from all over the country. I knew at that moment I was in for an interesting day.
Off we went into the wild blue yonder. I can't even describe the ride. She hardly got out of breath. I had to follow her because I didn't want her to hear me panting. We couldn't talk much because I was always somewhere around a quarter of a mile behind her. After about 25 -30 miles, I doubt I had the strength to put on my "dinner clothes". I was beat, in more ways than one.
We had a few outings after that, and considering the kind of "exercise" I was experiencing with her, led me to follow the fishing theory of letting a good catch go.
LCHIEN
Loring in Katy, TX USA
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