Go, Torpado. Go!

A lot has happened since I last posted (at all or on a regular basis). Many wonderful and terrible things I’m sure, but I’ll leave those for another time.

Recently I found an old discarded Italian road bicycle in the depths of our dungeon-like basement and decided to fix it. I like summer projects, tinkering, and bikes, so it was perfect.

Originally it was to be a commuter bike for Jillian while she was in Clinton, and then to be passed on to Maggie as a ride to the train station for her commute to Norwalk (which will be coming to an end in a few weeks as she has earned a position at the Clifford Beers Clinic not more than 300 yards away from our doorstep). It wasn’t done in time for Jillian and the seat is too high for Maggie, so those things never came to be.

The bike is a Torpado and (as far as I can tell) is about as old as I am. It was built to be a mid-level racing bike and quite expensive at the time.

Now, after many hours talking to local experts, experimenting, researching, buying parts at Velo Swaps and on ebay- the bike is done (or just about- I still plan on changing the front derailleur down the road). The bike is now running well and should hold up to lengthy rides. Here is what I learned from the process:

• There are no shortcuts
• Form and function need to strike a balance
• Be aware of how much pressure something can take
• Chrome and chipped paint is an awesome combination
• Things will go wrong- learn to cope (expect/accept the walk home)
• Keep your eyes open/ never give up- parts lost on the road are worth looking for (thanks Matt)
• Sheldon Brown is a genius
• Study of a discipline is wise before acting, but…
• Some things need to be learned by doing
• Dirty hands are a badge of honor- not something to be embarrassed about
• Some of the most rewarding challenges come up when you think you’re done
• Removing a stuck quill stem from a steering tube feels like unsheathing Excalibur
• No matter how fulfilling and fun fixing a bicycle is, nothing beats riding one