Riding Bikes

I've been wanting to take a 2 week trip across the northern US and hit trails in every state from Washington/Oregon all the way over to Minnesota. The rona kind of wrecked those plans.

 

The classic lean shot

 

Most of my childhood in the 80s and 90s was spent biking, and some of the early 2000s. Even participated in a few marathons in my late teens /early 20s.

I want to get back into biking. Don't know if my 40 year old body can handle it though. Bad knees, back, and feet. Still have my bikes, a Schwinn Mesa that I got in 95, an 18 speed Peugeot street bike that I think is from the 70s, and a mongoose mountain bike that I got around 2005.

Was thinking of buying a folding bike to bring in the truck, but if I end up not getting into using it than it's wasted money.

 

I'm considering an electric assisted bike, reason is generally while out in truck I have to ride quite a distance to visit a good trail and I'll get tired from that alone. Ebike solves that, and you still get your exercise.

 

Do your research, many of lower priced e bikes are junk. I like mid drives. Have a Bafang 500w on a Catrike. Dont i would recommend an ebike for a truck, for me quick and easy in and out equates to more rides. My Dahon sees more rides than a fullsize b/c its out and riding and back in fast. Shorter rides than fullsize but more rides. When i first took a bike along i could only do 2-3 mile, after a while i feel cheated if thats all i did.
The e assist trike has made hills too easy, and i'm having to switch back to other one.....

 

Let me give you some encouragement, you just gotta start small. Take your bike and start riding it in front of your house and street. Ease into the longer rides.

 

Really want to get a bike but I also really like having my cab as free of things as possible. I do have a 2nd bunk but I much prefer to have it up or I feel closed in. Does anyone take folding bikes with them on the road? If so please post of pic of where you keep it.

 

I love bikes. Building them as a Kid. Saving up and buying a brand new 26” Columbia 3 speed. Could barely reach the pedals. My favorite was a Le Tour, 27” with custom purple paint, and first 5 gears removed. They weren’t needed. We had 2 bike shops in the neighborhood. I’d make $3-$5 each putting together new bikes for both of them, when I was 10 yrs old. Had a dream of my Own Bike Shop back then. My friend and I put together about 8 old bikes we had in our garages, along with some from the alleys, in the garbage. Sold them all to the other kids parents on our block. We still laugh about our Bike Business. Really enjoyed painting them, adding 5 spd shifters derailers. Extended forks, and goosenecks. Great times. Ride those bikes 20 miles a day sometimes. Last one I built when I was 14 yrs. old was a 20” stingray.2 stage transparent blue Schwinn paint. New stickers emblems. It was nice. So nice someone else wanted it bad, and stole it. All summer long and $100 spent. Money made from changing a waterpump on my Dads 460 Ford Station Wagon, and tuning it up. The Guy that stole it, eventually ended up in Prison for Grand Theft, eluding and shooting at the Police. Lol. Good Times. Dreams change. Never did open up the Bike Shop, or the used Car Lot. I have a friend who Owns a car lot. He has a 67 GTX, 69 Roadrunner, and a 70 Challenger. 3 of my favorites. Maybe I should have gotten a Used car Lot! Lol.