Good Cause Bonus Post: Eric H.’s 1972 Schwinn Varsity

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Last month, during our virtual trip around the world, I received an owner submitted entry—nothing special right? Then I got another…and another…and another…and another.  These weren’t different people mind you, this was one guy with one bike trying like hell to get his bicycle and his cause to appear in these Hallowed Halls.  I’m not sure how many attempts he made in total (I started deleting them after a while), but I’m sure it had to have been 8 or 10 attempts over a 7 to 10 day period.  As most of you know—if you’ve submitted to the OTSG—it can take a LONG time before you see your bike up in lights.  I know this can be very frustrating in this world of instant gratification, but I find it a fitting aspect of this site and quite inline with the type of content we cover.  Submitting to the OTSG is like getting your hair cut at an old fashion barbershop. You go in for a haircut that should take at most 10 minutes, and you sit for two hours while the barber blathers on about high school football with the four old-timers inline in front of you.  I am that barber, and there are about 70 “old-timers” waiting their turn, so go ahead and settle into that 6 month old issue of Sports Illustrated. It’s going to be a while.

Sorry about that, I got a little off topic there for a second.  Anyway, as I was saying. Eric H. really really wanted me to post his 1972 Schwinn Varsity and I’m happy to do so.  It should be known, he is also employing this very Varsity in a little fund raising effort that will kick off on the 25th of July.  Show a little 10-speed love to him and head over to his donation page and help him raise some big money for a good cause.

Eric, next time just send it in once, I swear I’ll get to it.:)

1972 Schwinn Varsity

1972 Schwinn Varsity UndersideBusiness end of a 1972 VarsityEric and his fund raising VarsityEric and his fund raising Varsity

I got this at Goodwill a couple months back for $20. Have put on new rubber, repacked hubs and cranks, lubed everything and she runs like a top. On an average week I do 100 miles, mostly 20 miles/day commuting to/from work. This bike runs so great I am riding it in the Tour De Cure on 7-25-09 to raise money for American Diabetes Association. I am asking people to contribute to this cause online at:
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TDC460018030?px=4828306&pg=personal&fr_id=5623&et=irqcz69fJIpoFs2Dpry99A..&s_tafId=219378

Thanks Eric

Related posts:

  1. Bill’s Panasonic Sport 500
  2. Guy’s Raleigh Record
  3. Travis R’s Late-1970s Zebrakenko Fire Mixte
  4. Dee S’s Chimo Capri Mixte
  5. Max M’s 1974 Schwinn Continental
  • Joe B.

    God help me… I love these old refurbished Schwinns. 🙂

  • http://www.wrn.com Bob H.

    What, you mean I don’t have to shell out for a brand new bike to commute to work on? Sheesh!
    Nice bike Eric. And I’m in awe of your weekly mileage, mine is only about half that!

  • http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TDC460 Eric Hildebrand

    Thanks fellas. This bike wieghs 38 lbs, but it feels good to ride and it can take the punishment like no other bike I’ve ever had. I just bought a mid-1970’s Fuji at Goodwill but I am not touching that till at least winter, saving it like a piece of candy!

  • Hugh

    Old Chicago Schwinns are beautiful in a “heavy-duty” and “indestructable’ kind of way.