Recently my brother was out hitting the yard sales in the little farm and ranch community outside Durango called Bayfield (or Baytucky, Greater Bay Area and Bayberry as the locals affectionately call it). My brothers and I graduated from this little town’s High School (my class had about 60 kids) and my brother, Brian, still lives there. Big diesel trucks, wranglers and livestock are abundant and the political leanings of the community certainly counter that of the “hippy”, forward thinking sister community of big city Durango (population 17,000).

So when my brother called and said he had come across an old steel frame 70s era Fuji 12 speed for $5 it didn’t surprise me. Biking is not considered a viable means of transportation in this little town and the seller said he had tried to sell the bike for three years prior for the same price and never even had a person inquire about it. Being the sucker for old bikes that I am (well, bikes in general I guess) I told him to scoop it up. My mom saw the bike a couple of days later and said she had to have it and would buy all of the parts to fix it up if I did the work. I said OK and off we went.

I had a great time putting this one back together. It’s great to see the rebirth of a true classic and I’m sure my mom will put of lot of happy miles on her.