I bought my first ten speed bike at Sears on Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood in 1964. It was their most expensive model and was full Campy (I'm not sure about the crankset). I used it to ride to UCLA in my student days. The back wheel started to come apart after a couple of rides so I stopped in at C. Hardings in Westwood. I'm sure he was happy to see me with a Sears bike. They finally rebuilt the wheel and Sears paid.
I felt like I was getting pretty good so they kept giving me routes up above UCLA in Bel Air. Some of the hills I couldn't make and marked with chaulk and kept trying. Finally the mechanic from Hardings rode with me in Bel Air. I didn't know anyone could go that fast on a bike. Soon they talked me into a Doneselli and I began my racing career.
Now I'm heading out the door to ride a shakedown cruise on my Morati titanium cyclocross bike fully equipped with titanium front cross forks.
Jim Cushing-murray
Del Mar CA