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I bought this Trek 420 in 1984 after my trusty, orange Centurion was stolen. At that time, I was riding a bicycle every day from my apartment in downtown Norfolk, Va., to my ship at the Naval Station.

I have always liked this bike because of its generous 24-inch (61cm) frame. I am 5 feet 11 inches tall. Whenever I ask for a 24-inch frame, shop owners try to sell me a 56cm or 58cm. Those are too small.

The 420 was Trek's bottom-of-the-line touring bike. As the cheap, stock components failed one by one, I replaced them with Shimano, Brooks and Nitto. The lugged steel frame is battered but not broken.

Like the frame, the 420's tires are measured in inches (27 x 1 1/4); and the boxy Araya rims accept Schraeder valves. Truly, this bike was made in the days when men were men; and women were, too.

ericnye@hotmail.com