Making it rideable

I recently obtained a vintage 12 speed bicycle. A friend (CAM) and I have been working to fix it up so I can ride it. Well, truth be told CAM has been working on it and I've been watching or lending an extra hand. We started with new tires, tubes and rim clothes. Of course we've also replaced the brakes. CAM has also packed the bearings. He's also replaced the handlebar wraps. Saturday we went in search of a rear derailleur that clips on to the frame. I need to take it to a shop to get the rims true so they stop rubbing on the brakes.

The process brought back a flood of memories of my first bicycle. Dad and I worked on it for months. It was a bicycle Mom had ridden when she was a kid. Dad and I sanded it. I remember it taking a long time to sand the frame. We went to the store and picked out paint and I chose some metallic slate blue. I think I was confused when we first painted it a dull red (primer). I remember going to pick out new tires and a seat. Back then I chose this slim cresent moon shaped seat.

My siblings and I used to ride around the neighborhood where we lived. It was a one stop town so there weren't blocks like most cities. We also lived about two doors down from a semitruck business, so there was lots of semi traffic. The town used to have annual reunions and there would be a parade through town. We used to dress our bicycles up with ballons and crete paper ribbon and ride down the street. It was a huge affair for a small town.