So we could have cycling adventures, bicycle camping and explore the world
together.
Found a brand-new Taiwanese Sam in his size, $1,000 for the frame and fork -
was SO excited!
Then a friend told me yesterday he would sell his Saluki -- complete, minus
saddle, pedals and rear rack for $1000. WOW.
This going to be a surprise / present for Dad. They are almost the same
size - height, arm length, leg length - but my friend has 15 pounds more
muscle on his body, no problem. My friend said he wouldn't mind letting us
borrow it for a week, or even a month to see if dad likes it.
I feel badly because the Saluki is SUCH an amazing bike (especially on Grand
Bois Hetre tires), and it's his only Riv, but this friend already has a few
touring rigs and he says it creates redundancy. My friend also has a
Schwinn Voyager and a Carleton (sp?) and that this opens up the space to
allow him his dream bike - a Miyata 1000, and a new Macbook Air ... I'm not
sure if I should take it or not -- it's like taking a person's highest
prized possession - and at such a low price. On the flip side, and the
bicycle does stay in the "family". It also saves me a boatload of cash that
I shouldn't be spending in the first place. He knows my dad, rides with me
often and is a good friend.
As for Dad, he's been wanting to travel / explore for such a long time I
think it would be perfect, but need to convince him to get out exploring
with me. He's got the Raleigh 3 speed, we did a 40 mile ride yesterday on a
flat limestone rail-trail. He's like a little kid, smiling the whole time.
He loves it. But I am doing this for purely selfish reasons. It's
wonderful to ride with the new friends I've made -- most of them over 50 --
and love to be on the bike and are the most competent cyclists I know. They
know the roads and bikes and frequently show me new routes and tricks fun
tricks with brakes and derailleurs. They've taught me so much and I help
them break their focused cycling meditation by keeping my eyes open to
exciting things to look at. It slows us down - but relishing in the
experience and the journey is so much better than sprinting to the
destination. I've broken them in large part out of the "packs" and
"mentality" of group rides. Sometimes going slower really gets you there
faster :)
But I digress ... Im doing this for selfish reasons. While I enjoy the
company of my cycling friends, I'd love the company of my father. When we
were growing up he'd take us around the country to show us things. He'd
love the beautiful landscapes in Tennessee, Northern Michigan, Arizona and
California best. We can ride all of those, experience even more at a more
reasonable pace; stopping when we want, in the elements, without a car and
without traffic.
I am still unsure of how to sell Dad on the idea of adventure exploring with
me, any suggestions? Your advice would be helpful. Dad is nearly 70 but
looks like he's 55, maybe. He's still not retired and prefers it that way.
He walks 5 miles a day, fast pace, and is thinking of upping it to 7. He's
also thinking of upping his fast pace to a run, he's in great shape and
enjoys the 5:30 early traffic-free mornings.
I'd really like to take a weekend to do the entire a 300K route I didn't
finish few weeks ago in the mountain foothills outside of Columbus, Ohio.
We could stop half-way in at a national forest to camp the night, pack up,
and ride the rest of it the next day. But then I'd also like to do a 2 week
tour with him ... maybe an adventure cycling route would be appropriate.
BUT then again, maybe I'm going too fast -- I become impatient too quickly.
What should we do, where should we go, how do I set this up so it leads to
a of successful cycling relationship for Dad and I?
Thanks for reading this and for your time.
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