Pretty common question I seem to hear several times per day some days. I love it! Easiest answer as of late is: …cause I can! Reality, I find peace there.
Grade school in the library, I pulled a book off the shelf, a story about a young boy who rode the Tour de France was what it was. I was glued to it. He didn’t win, he wasn’t special, he was nobody, he did it. He hung in there put up with the noise and did it. Yes, there where trials, people problems, gear issues, parents, competitors, bad attitudes, the full gambit. I honestly do not remember any of the details but I remember; boy, the Tour de France, getting it done!
Middle school, I became the youngest person to ever carry/deliver the Oregon Statesman Journal newspaper. I was up early in the morning rode 3 miles to town, rolled my papers, road the route, rode the 3 miles home. I had my own scrounged and built Schwinn something or another. I really miss that bike. I could cover pretty much the entire main road of my route without pedaling, I used to just coast down the street weaving from side to side throwing my papers. Pete’s Bicycles in Sublimity, OR; The coolest barn with a giant pile of bicycles piled behind it. I loved going to that place digging through the piles to find that part I needed.
In my twenties a work buddy got me riding with him in the evenings. I bought a Schwinn Worldsport, 35 lb boat anchor (actually 33.8 lbs). The thing was a brute! Rode and rode that thing. Dad used to goad me about doing distance. So, I started riding to Meacham Field in Ft. Worth from Colleyville, TX., talk about blood in the saddle. I heard about a ride called the “Hotter than Hell 100” just had to do it. I convinced my buddy Tim to go for it. It about killed me! But there was no way I was going to quit. 10+ hours to get that one done!
As the rides continued to compile I made a deal with myself concerning buying a real bike. Then came the Schwinn Paramount, full custom build. First year with the 8 cog rear hub, custom measure, custom build. It was beautiful! I still have it and trying to link it to a page it may be worth some money! Have to find out if it is a true Waterford build or not???
This is what it looks like today. It did receive a complete rebuild with paint from JB cycles in Southern California in the late 80’s.