I'm so grateful my dad enjoys (actually he LOVES) renovating vintage bikes. When my dad talks about bikes, his passion is so evident; his excitement in his voice and his eyes light up. When we unveiled the bikes after his drive from Northwest Indiana to Louisville ~ I think he was more excited than me (and so was my mom who was calling every few minutes demanding pictures) :) ~ Just like a little boy unveiling a Christmas gift ~ Except in this case it was a gift for us.....and we LOVE them.
 |
| ~ 1978 English Raleigh ~ I love the simple, elegant details of this bike, the R hardware to hold the bike together, the elegant decals and the front fenders fin. |
Although, my dad has talked about bikes all my life...you'd think more would have sunk in through osmosis....I probably know more than I think I do...but really...not that much. So, instead of putting in words what kind of bikes we were gifted as our housewarming gift...I thought I'd communicate in the best way I know how.... pictures!
 |
| ~ A Schwinn Racer ~ circa 1957-1963 ~ JFK era ~ All original...with modern metropolis handlebars....and check out the ingenious hole filler ~ It's a wine bottle cork (I'm sure 'bike people' would appreciate...but as a wine drinker I love it. |
I love the idea of biking around the city for so many reasons:
- Exploring the city
- Seeing so much more on a bike
- Being spontaneous to explore different streets and paths on the whim of a turn
- Help the environment when possible by biking (especially since we've decided for now to only buy 1 car)
- Health advantages of additional exercise
- The COOL factor of leisurely riding around town on these nifty vintage bikes
- Transportation to YOGA :)
~ Thank you Pa for all of your effort to refinish these bikes, making them not only awesome but safe for us to ride around town. Love you! ~
Hooray for your Dad--restoration is a wonderful thing and his work is superb! And, yay for you with your fab "new" bike! I rescued a vintage bike left alongside a country road about 10 years ago with a "Free" sign posted on it. Leather seat, flower decals...the whole nine yards. She is fab! :) Not sure Mark understood my fascination (He told me he would by me a new bike--I didn't need to pick up a used one alongside the roadway. LOL). I wouldn't have it any other way--vintage and restored ROCKS! Great post!
ReplyDeleteWow...I absolutely love it. It is funny how these seemingly small gifts appear in our life. what a great find alongside a country road. And thank you for your excitement and appreciation....I knew someone out there could appreciate the vintage coolness :)
DeleteI'm grateful that we were able to give you and Adam a unique and useful representation of our family's passion for a housewarming. It is said that, the greatest good can come out of the greatest suffering. These bikes, like many other distressed items large and small that we have discovered by the side of the road, in the alley, or in a blighted neighborhood, are a metaphor for life as we see it. Love you, Pa
ReplyDeletePa ~ You are always so eloquent with your words...I've always told you should be a writer of something poetic :) Love you!
DeletePS: Adam's Schwinn Racer, Serial Number 7E82929 was born on Nov. 14, 1957
ReplyDeleteWhat a great present ! Congratulations to your dad for restoring these vintage bikes ! Welcome to the Club of "happy Raleigh bikers" !
ReplyDeleteThank Eliz for reading! I knew both you and Gerard could relate and be appreciative. We rode the other day to a flea market...and i filled up my basket :)
Delete