high school dropouts

A confession.

I never had really nice bikes growing up. I was always running SIS at best. Up until I was 18, the best bike I ever owned was this TREK 4500. It came with a Volkswagen (when TREK was sponsored by VW) that someone bought, and sold the voucher via the good old trading post. Back then the trading post came out every Thursday morning, and I'd get to the Newsagency at opening to scour through the bikes section.

Relative to my 40lb rigid Hallmark with Shimano SIS and araya steel rims, and my Shogun Trailbreaker 1 with elastomer forks, this bike was amazing. It was the first bike I owned with V-brakes.

I rode that bike into the ground and it was the first bike that I made the huge leap to clipless pedals on.

Inbox / One owner.

From a follower.

PM: Not fixed but it's a single speed. Team Apollo BMX circa 1983. I've owned it for 23 years give or take. Think I might keep it for another 23 years.....

Thought it might interest you. Maybe not. I don't care. I look at it and think it's tops.

P.S. Like your web site. Keep up the good work....

I wanted to know more! It was immaculate. Was he the 40 year old virgin type? Had he turned a crank on it?

PM I've ridden it plenty. I was my only mode of transport when I was 13 through 17 when I got my licence. I have just completed a full restoration. rechrome, saddle etc. It was in a pretty sad state after being in my attic for years. I haven't ridden it since the restoration. Still waiting on some odd parts plus the wheels need to be tensioned.

Fyx was the inspiration to restart the restoration. Thanks.

Nothing like some TIME LABOUR and COIN - but did he have any 'before' shots or tales of epic rides with mates as a whipper-snapper.

PM Ok, I'll admit it. I have made the fatal restoration mistake and not taken any photos before, during or after. I regret it now... I only have one taken at the chrome shop after stripping and polishing but before chroming. I also have another one of the frame when the restoration began in Sept 2009.

Memorable rides? Too many. I started working at my local bike shop on Saturdays when I was 14. Back then I used to eat, sleep and sh1t bikes. Without bikes, I would probably be a doctor or a laywer. After some time away from bikes, they're back. I am still looking for my first real love (attached) the bike that is, not the dog. A hand built Reynolds 653 Gefsco. Built just after Geoff Scott started to build frames for Clarence St Cyclery as Clamont.

Sold it for $1000 to fund my year 12 schoolies week. In hindsight an epic failure. Lucky I kept the BMX..