[Grape Ape]

Well we have a new update on the Schwinn. Today the wife and I took it out and hit a long trail. Most of her rides have been at a local trail that is only 4 miles round trip. Plus she doesn't like going out by herself, with me gone working all the time she doesn't ride much. Total miles before today was probably 10. Today we drug the bikes out and hit the Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus VA. The ride today was 17 miles with no issues. The wife still outruns me with no problems. She followed me the entire time and would fall back and do her sightseeing. I would look back and she would be way back there, the next thing I know she is right behind me scaring the beejesus out of me when she says something. That bike just rolls along like a dream.

Everyone from the bike shop employees to the other riders commented on how good it looks. We did have one guy make a disparaging remark about it. He was responsible for loading it on the trail to take us to the trail head. He snatched my Cannondale up with no issue then grabbed the Schwinn and about dislocated his shoulder. I laughed a little. Then remembered I had to load it back in my van after the ride and I cried a little. I am going to have to start adding some weights to my workout so I can load her bike up for rides.

We had a great time the bike performed flawlessly and she wants to go out and do the Creeper trail again. Folks this bike restoration was a glowing success.

Here are some pics one at the trail head and the second about 3/4 of the way through the ride. Notice in the second pic she is still smiling.

[Industry_Hack]

Awesome!

p.s. You still look older than me.

[Grape Ape]

It's the miles not the years. Hell If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.

[schwinnman]

I have decided to go modern with my bikes but I can always stop and admire the classics. I have thought about getting a Schwinn corvette for a fun weekend bike. And remember if you take care of your bike it will take care of you.

[wild]

[Artifex]

Yours looks awesome - nice job and congratulations! I bought one exactly like yours years ago at a farm auction with other bikes; I just could not let a Schwinn get junked. It sat in my barn for another 2-3 years until our neighbors girl was looking for a bike to take to college. When I showed them this bike, she flipped even though it was in ugly shape. Paint was OK, but shot tires, rust everywhere, but she loved it. So I dug into my bike fixing up past and had at it. New tires, new cables in the original grey housings, clean and shine the paint, clean up the seat and bronze wool on the chrome. Man, did it shine up NICE! The young lady was in love, and became known (on a fairly large campus) as 'the girl with the green bike'. All her friends wanted a cool bike like hers so about 4 years later and I have sent several rescued Breezes, Suburbans, Coeds and so on to proud new owners for another 40 years of service. These are awesome bikes that are the equivalent of $4-500 bikes today. Watch the rear brake cable - the design allows moisture to wick right down the adjuster barrel and into the housing. Lube it regularly with some good teflon or residual chain spray.