pedaling thoughts

Why patch a tube when new tubes are inexpensive? 

When growing up my dad's salary didn't match our needs. A neighbor gave me an old green girl's bike when I asked if I could buy it. It had been sitting under the eves for several years layered rust. 

I don't have a picture of my first bike, but this is close to what I remember. 

My father helped me clean it up. We soaked the chain in kerosene to loosen the links, and removed each ball bearing set cleaned and regreased them. We cleaned and rebuilt the coaster brake hub with the existing parts. The tubes were patched and mounted in the old cracked tires.

It was an old green girl's bike but it was my first taste of freedom. There have been many bikes and trikes, upright and recumbent, utilitarian and exhilarating, but never one that was loved more.

Now in my late 70s, the first accessory for my new ride was a patch kit, then a tube. 

Today money for tubes isn't a problem, but I was raised to not throw out the useful.

Memories