This is a picture of a bike……………my ‘vintage bike. A 1978 Gitane. Yes 1978 is vintage.
It makes me smile whenever I ride it.
The reason it makes me smile is because of the story behind it.
I started being an obsessive ‘bike rider’ at a late age, 24 precisely. I always liked bikes as a kid but stopped when I was a teenager as other things in life took over.
I got back into it as I was getting heavy………
So I walked into my local bike shop and picked a blue mountain bike. I didn’t know the brand or the components on it, but I knew it was blue and it looked cool.
I later found out it was a Gitane and it was ‘low’ grade entry bike. But an entry is an entry and I loved it. Also it was brand less known in Australia and was gone a year or two after I bought it from Australia. A less known brand…………..
I later bought more expensive bike as the passion re obsession grew. The first bike was later thrown out in rubbish collection day. (I broke it due to over use……)
Years later I lamented THAT bike. But I didn’t want a mountain bike any longer I am into ‘road bikes’ now. Also I wanted something different but didn’t know what……
One day a friend rode a ‘vintage’ bike on our organised group rides. It looked good and yes I was envious.
Also it sparked an idea…………….
Why don’t I get a vintage bike…Hmmm I have been missing my first bike but I don’t want that exact bike, maybe a homage to it…….Okay an idea was born.
The next day I went looking.
The good thing or bad thing about looking for a brand of bike which is less well known is that the value is often less.
I found this example on ebay and well there were no bids and it was complete and it was around the corner from where I lived at the time.
I messaged the owner to have a look and when I saw I made an offer and it was mine………That was quick.
I got it home cleaned it put new shiny wheels on it and my own seat. Took it for a ride and started smiling.
I haven’t stopped every time I ride it.
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