A bit of nostalgia

manwithaplan

For the sentimental amongst you, here's a couple of pictures of how it used to be.

The first one is of my mum and dad on their bikes on St. Patrick's Day, 1955. My dad tells me that Paddy's Day was always the start of the racing season, so I don't know what he was doing mooning over my mother in the park. He built the bike she is riding in the picture and he claims this was instrumental in persuading her to marry him. I particularly dig the handlebar-mounted twin bottle cage.

The second picture shows how strong the social scene was around cycling in those days. Mum and dad were both members of St. Brendan's Cycling Club in Donnybrook. There were dances regularly (when dad could tear himself away from the rollers upstairs according to mum) and they met each other in the club. The picture was taken on 6 September 1953, probably to mark the end of the season. I notice that mum and dad are both with different partners, so make of that what you will! Sorry for the quality on this one - it's taped into a cardboard frame and I don't want to damage it by taking it out.

They are both in their late seventies now and have been married for 50 years. A long running love story on two wheels.

happytramp

The top one is really nice. Glad they've been together and happy for so long!! I'm guessing the bikes aren't still knocking around the garage though!:)

manwithaplan

Funnily enough, a couple of my dad's old bikes were unearthed when my grandparents' house was cleaned out after they died in the eighties. I think they met a fairly unsentimental end (the bikes, not my grandparents!).