> In "Breaking Away," Dave's dad bought him the bike. > Well, I might seem to be portraying myself as the indolent son of privilege but I admit that my father aslo bought "the bike" for me. In fact, there were 2 during my teenage years.
The first was an Armstrong 10 speed, purchased in late 1964 from Sickser's in NYC's borough of The Bronx. This shop was owned by my cousins and employed Colin Powell during the 1950s. (See his biography for details.)
Anyway, this was a Raleigh built Armstrong and had a beautiful (flamboyant red) frame with somewhat junky parts. When I finally replaced the wheels with a set that had decent hubs and alu rims it was actually reasonably light. Despite its limitations, I rode this bike daily all over NYC and on several hosteling trips through New York State, New England, Ontario and Quebec.
Once I got my "real" bike, I set it up as a one-speed to ride on errands and for practicing at the Kissena Park Velodrome. In fact, it was stolen in 1971 while locked next to the velodrome. Very sad...
The "real" bike mentioned above, was an Atala Grand Prix purchased from Stuyvesant Bicycle in early 1969. This was when Stuyvesant was still on 1st Avenue (I realize this distinction might not mean much to those who have never lived in NYC) and when the Grand Prix was being built from Columbus SP and used Campy NR derailleurs. I both raced and toured on this bike but it really was a terrible compromise, doing neither really well.
Still, as a racer I wasn't good enough for that to matter; and as a tourist, I was young enough that exuberance and strength overcame the bike's limitations. In any event, during my college years I kept this bicycle next to my bed (much to my girlfriend's chagrin) and I still own it today. Cheers, Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
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