This bike has been my daily driver for many many years. I have to pull the gear switch to get the lightest gear on and have to push the small metal part next to the gear switch with a thumb to get the heaviest on (yes, I have tried adjusting the wire but it seems there is no "right spot"). Once the handle bar got of during riding (the pipe was cut of) but I welded it back together and so far it has lasted. Pedals I socialized from an abandoned very old ladies bike, saddle I think I bought as new. Sometimes when riding suddenly pedal hits empty.

I was about 18 and stayed alone at home when rest of my family went to summer cottage. Father called at 9 pm what I am about to do. I said I'm reading in bed and gonna sleep soon. Then my friend called about 11pm very drunk and urged me to come to Hanko sailfish regatta. I said no and I'm going to sleep. He called again at 1 am and was very persistent. I asked that if I get there will I get a lift back. He promised.

I took this bike, 1,25 finnish marks (only money I had), half of a dry bread, 1L of water and headed from Espoo to Hanko, about 120km (I had never rode more than like 20km max). Not so good with the law or geography so I first started to ride along the empty highway (towards Turku) but then figured out I'm on a wrong road. Took a ramp and changed to Kehä III (another road). A taxi saw me coming from a highway with my bike and slowed down and checked me a bit.

At last found the right road and then it was just pedaling. When I had two times closed my eyes and when opened I was on the other side of the road I stopped and ate little and drank water and then continued. With my 1,25 marks I got and Eskimo icecream later from a gas station. It was about 11-12am when I finally got close to Hanko. My moment of glory was when there came a taxi from Hanko, slowed down and the driver saluted me. It was the same taxi which had seen me when I started my journey and had thrown people to the regatta probably.

Finally got to regatta exhausted. My friend had told me they have a blue boat. In regatta there are few boats I learned. After I hhad gone through all the blue sailboats without luck I was desperate. I went to one terrace and shouted does anyone know this my friend. All people there turned and said yes, they are from the same boat. Their boat just wasn't a sailboat (which my friend had missed telling). So I went to the boat and they woke my friend. He got out of the boat and passed away for one more hour. I waited and when he woke he said smiling that their engine was broken, they go back with a small car so no room for me and he goes now to sauna - and he left.

I was so hungry and thired. I got a banana or something from tjeir boat but then headed to call from somewhere to my father.
- I have something to tell you. A) I'm not at home, B) I'm at Hanko, C) I came here with your bike last night, D) I have no money or food. Can you pick me up?

Our summer cottage was over 100km away so my father said a firm NO. At last my sister took contact to an old friend in Hanko which borrowed me money for food and train ticket.