While recently shopping to become a future member of the e-bike movement, I could hear the Queen hit Bicycle Race churning in my head. Several years ago, that tune would continuously swirl from ear to ear as I prepared for my nightly ride, doing up to 20 miles per night on my newly purchased hybrid bike (not as in gas-electric hybrid, but as in a cross between road and mountain bike hybrid).

Technically, I now am now proudly in the category of “senior” (that would be age, versus class ranking). But I still want to remain active and continue bike riding. I prefer to do so without a sore back, creaking knees, numb hands, and comatose butt. So, I opted for an e-bike to give me that little boost when approaching what are quickly becoming daunting inclines. This e-bike is considered a semi-recumbent. Not a lying down type, but one with a full seat, lumbar support, high-rise handlebars and crank-forward (pedal) positioning for comfort.

While doing research before the big purchase, my mind quickly flashed back to my youth when I rode a classic Schwinn cruiser, complete with horn, light, and coaster brakes. Does anyone else remember their first real bike? I remember mine like it was yesterday. It was royal blue, trimmed in white with chrome fenders and whitewalls.

Remember when a bicycle required a license, or a sticker and it had to pass inspection? And if you failed to have a sticker, you were cautious not to be seen by a passing police cruiser for fear of your bike being impounded? Remember when we used to call any thin tired bike an “English” bike? When it was cool to have a three-speed bike or any bike with a shifter and hand brakes? Remember dual rear baskets?

And, the classic Schwinn Sting-Ray? Popular? Per a November 19, 2013 Bike Magazine article, “The Sting-Rays flew out of bike shops–46,630 of them at fifty bucks a pop. For comparison’s sake, at the time the Sting-Ray debuted, Schwinn generally moved about 10,000 units of their best-selling models each year.” They once accounted for 60% of US bike sales.

Remember attaching baseball cards or balloons to the fork against the spokes to get that motorcycle sound? Of course, the cards typically lasted much longer than the balloons, but the balloons were the louder of the two and attracted the most attention.

Back in the day, long before the many discount and sporting goods stores dotted the city, if you were looking for a bike in Nashua and wanted a full service shop, your choices were typically Goodale’s Bike Shop, on Main Street and then Franklin Street, Larry’s Bike Shop on Allds Street (eventually relocating to Bridge Street and adding used cars) or Bill’s Bike Shop, in my old tree street neighborhood on Ash Street. All reputable dealers, with Goodale’s and Larry’s probably the longer established of the group. My parents chose to do business at Larry’s. He was a Schwinn, Raleigh and Columbia dealer, all popular brands at the time. Per a September 10, 1962 Nashua Telegraph ad, Larry’s touted, “We sell the best and service the rest.”

Goodale’s, today’s premier bike dealer in Nashua, was also a popular dealer then. Owned by Brad Goodale, they sold the Columbia brand amongst others. Bill’s Bike Shop focused on used and reconditioned bikes, parts, and accessories but also sold Columbia and Roll Fast brands.

Amidst the current pandemic, bike sales both locally and on-line have skyrocketed, with inventories dwindling dramatically and service queues backed up for weeks. Some e-bikes are not available until October.

An apparent upside to the pandemic is, boredom and cabin fever are prompting folks to want to get outside to get some air, and what better way to appreciate the outdoors than to hop on a bicycle and reconnect with Mother Nature!

So, maybe it is time to dust off that old two-wheeler, strap on a helmet and reacquaint yourself with your mountain, hybrid or road bike? Or, maybe you are one of the lucky ones to have an old English bike? Or an old Schwinn royal blue cruiser with a horn, light, whitewalls, and chrome fenders? Go ahead, get out and enjoy the ride!

Don Canney is a freelance writer and professional voice artist. He was born and raised in downtown Nashua with great interest in Nashua history circa 1950-1970. He now resides in Litchfield.

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