When I inherited my dads house, I found an old Sears 3-speed step-through, probably made by Huffy or Murray decades ago. It had a chrome frame, fenders and a white vinyl seat. It was in shabby shape, or so I thought. I was in a hurry to move in and had no time for such stuff, so I wrote it off outright and tossed it on the porch.
I put the bike on Freecycle this past week, offering it to anyone who wanted to come get it out of my way. The tires were flat, it was dusty and tarnished and, frankly, I had no aspirations for it. Well, I got a taker and she was coming today to get it.
Out of courtesy, I got it out and took a close look. As I thought, it looked neglected and haggard, but I pumped up the tires, anyway. What do you know - they held air, with a decent sidewall and good tread showing. So I did what any crankhead would do... I took it for a spin.
And you know what? It was an nice ride! It was adjusted all wrong for my size, but the gear shifter worked and changed the gears, the brakes in front stopped it and both wheels ran true. Aside from knocking a mud daubers nest out of the fender well and a rear brake that only worked half-@assed - it was pretty sweet.
Alicia, the new owner, came and got it this evening and was thrilled. She recently had debilitating back surgery and riding an upright bicycle is about all she can do, physically. If all works out, the bike will be her stepping stone to recovery; she hopes to one day soon be running again.
I was pleased that the bike might be put to such beneficial use. But I did task that if she found the bike was no longer needed at any time, to please call me. In fact, I was going to call her myself, from time to time, and check on her progress. Hopefully, she WON'T need it for long and I can get it back!
I put the bike on Freecycle this past week, offering it to anyone who wanted to come get it out of my way. The tires were flat, it was dusty and tarnished and, frankly, I had no aspirations for it. Well, I got a taker and she was coming today to get it.
Out of courtesy, I got it out and took a close look. As I thought, it looked neglected and haggard, but I pumped up the tires, anyway. What do you know - they held air, with a decent sidewall and good tread showing. So I did what any crankhead would do... I took it for a spin.
And you know what? It was an nice ride! It was adjusted all wrong for my size, but the gear shifter worked and changed the gears, the brakes in front stopped it and both wheels ran true. Aside from knocking a mud daubers nest out of the fender well and a rear brake that only worked half-@assed - it was pretty sweet.
Alicia, the new owner, came and got it this evening and was thrilled. She recently had debilitating back surgery and riding an upright bicycle is about all she can do, physically. If all works out, the bike will be her stepping stone to recovery; she hopes to one day soon be running again.
I was pleased that the bike might be put to such beneficial use. But I did task that if she found the bike was no longer needed at any time, to please call me. In fact, I was going to call her myself, from time to time, and check on her progress. Hopefully, she WON'T need it for long and I can get it back!
