This is lovely. When I was twelve, we'd ride from Waterford to the New London Shopping Center where my parents owned The Card & Party Shop (Hallmark store). It was about five miles on Vauxhall Street. Cycling that far (on a 1976 Huffy Stars & Stripes muscle bike) was my first taste of freedom. If we felt brave, we'd ride the bridge over 95 to the New London Mall (Two Guys Dept Store).
Thank you Ian. Nice memories. I know all the areas you are talking about. Most things have changed, they always do. Wonder where that Huffy is now? Hopefully somebody is enjoying a classic. Thanks again and take care, Steve
Steve, loved your memory ride. I grew up in Norwich, CT and your videos brought back so many of my memories of block island, the Thames river (my uncle Everett had a boat and he would take up up the river and we could see the submarines being built in their hangers. Love that area. Live outside of Philadelphia now and enjoy Jersey Shore but not they same as the wonderful little towns along the coast of New England. I love your videos and as a cyclist would love to follow in your foot steps when I retire in a few years. Keep up the great adventures. Jeff
Hi Jeff, thanks for watching. We also spend a lot of time on the Thanes River and Long Island Sound on our Sailboat. Beautiful area. Growing up in Waterford I went to Norwich Tech high school. Southeastern CT is a nice place to grow up. I hope you can make plans to do some long distance cycling when you retire. Take care, Steve
The Seaford Sanatorium story is heavy hitting. I'm glad your sister got better. In the 1800s, the cure for TB was to head west to drier climates. Your granduncle saving money and buying the marina is definitely a great story. When I was a tween, I went fishing. The fish I caught swallowed the hook and I pulled it out. I heard a pop sound and the fish was dead. I never went fishing again. I did a cycling trip down memory lane one year ago during Labor Day weekend. While some things remain and other things are new, "time waits for no one" is always in my mind. Live now and not later. Nice job on the video!
Hi Buck, thanks for the great comment. As you say, time waits for no one. We have to give and get as much enjoyment in life during the short time we are here. At the end of each day I try to reflect on how my day went. How I treated others and whether I was able to make someone smile. We always have a lot of room for improvement. Thank you again and take care, Steve
I'm thoroughly enjoying your videos so far, Steve. When I was growing up, my family (mom, dad, my brother and me) would often ride our bikes on country roads in Illinois and pick up aluminum cans for recycling. We lived in a rural area surrounded by farmland, but people littered a lot in that county, enough to get us money from cashing in cans to eat out once or twice a year. One time we rode about 4 miles into town and ate breakfast at a fast food place. That was almost 40 years ago and my mom has since passed, but it was always fun to spend time outdoors with my parents.
Hi Brian, thanks for the nice comment. Those memories you have will be there forever. The simple things done with family are what's important and most memorable. Thank you for sharing a small part of your past. Take care and stay safe, Steve
Hi Doris and thank you. I hope you have had a wonderful summer and have lots more adventures ahead. I saw that you posted some videos of a trip to Florence. I want to go there some day. It must have been a great experience. Thanks again and take care of yourself and the ones you love, Steve
Nice Steve. Thanks for sharing a bit of your early years. My memories growing up was getting on a bike and exploring new areas all the time. My bike was my passport to adventure. I’m glad I got to see some of yours.
Great memories you have and a good idea to ride through and show us where you hung out. The area is beautiful and quaint, it must of been a great place to grow up at. Our house was a short distance to Grants Farm which is where the Busch family lived. I would ride my bike to their stables and pet the Clydesdales. Years later I found out that the bathrooms at the Busch castle had hot and cold water, and a Budweiser tap in case you were thirsty!
Hey Berenice, great idea for you to ride through your old neighborhood. Doing it on a bicycle brings back long forgotten good memories. Take care of yourself and have a great weekend, Steve
Hi Kevin, sorry for the very late reply! sometime I miss comments. I'm sure whatever the house is worth now I can't afford it. Take care and thanks for watching, Steve
Hey Amy, I hope you have enjoyed the summer! Many years ago (when I was 20) I lived in Groton in my first apartment (Jackson Park Apartments). I rode my bike to work 17 miles to Pawcatuck. Use to ride through downtown Mystic. At one time I had an office downtown over Higgins Pharmacy (long gone). Beautiful area. Thanks again and take care of yourself, Steve
I remember Fred’s Shanty when it was Margra’s. Where did the time go? I lived in the summer on Neptune Ave. at my grandmother’s place..she rented rooms. Ocean Beach was my heaven. I love your sneaking into the amusement park. CLASSIC. Nicely done Steve. Thanks for the memories.
Hi there and thank you for the nice comment. It's a special place in the summer. Good memories of being young in such a nice area. Making more memories now that I'm retired as I'm sure you are too. Take care and have a great 2023
Steve, A few days ago, I commented on one of your Great Allegheny Passage videos and mentioned that I was born and raised in a town that is near the Ohiopyle, Rockwood and Meyersdale area in Pennsylvania. When I came across your New London Connecticut video, I shared it with my husband, and he told me that he had his boat docked at your uncle's marina for about four years! That was long before we met. We have docked in a few places since then like Mystic and Westbrook and we are now docked in Clinton, Connecticut but live in Southington. We would prefer to live on the shoreline. I really enjoy your videos!
Hi there and thanks again for your comment! Nice to know that your husband docked at my uncles place. We had a sailboat moored in Essex for over twenty years. Sold it last year, very difficult decision but need to finally explore other things in life. Very fond memories... Heading to Europe tomorrow for some biking adventures. Thanks again and all the best to you and your husband, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling Essex is a nice town. We never owned a sailboat, but my husband had friends who lived on their sailboat on a mooring in Key West from September until May and then they would sail back to Mystic CT for the summer. We have a Chris Craft Commander, but we did not use it yet this season since it still needs some work done. Have a great time in Europe!
Hey Steve nice video. My first bike was from Goodwill. It had coaster brakes, and when it wasn't acting up, I rode it around my neighborhood on Wilkens Ave. There was a big stretch in time when I didn't ride a bike until my brother brought 2 abandoned bikes home from an apartment complex where he worked in maintenance. I remember riding my bike to Patapsco State Park. and riding around within the park. I like the part of the video where you talked about the blue crabs, too. I remember going crabbing, I love me some blue crabs. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Steve.
Hey Dog, thank you for sharing your story. I remember the thrill of seeing the blue crabs illuminated under the water by our light. We saw a lot but could only take a few of the big ones. I'm sure you have many memories of riding in the State Park. Our minds are wonderful things to hold on to and play back the movie of our good memories. Take care and stay safe, Steve
Thank you Elizabeth! I hope you are doing well and have enjoyed your summer. It was certainly a great place to grow up. Thursday I'm finishing up the USA east coast by starting where I left off in Nashua and cycling to my home in Connecticut. Should have good weather and minimal wind. Thanks again and take care, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling safe travels to you as you finish this fantastic journey! I’ll be looking forward to the video of the trip. FYI, my husband and I are finally doing the Cross NH trail Oct. 3-5th. He has recently gotten an ebike and is loving it. It will be his very first bike packing trip - I hope I can keep up with him on my gravel bike!
@@elizabethburgess3969 Thanks again! That going to be a great trip. Three day will allow you to enjoy the trip at an easy pace. We had one person in our group with a road bike. Her tires weren't wide enough making for difficulty at times. Sounds like you guys will have a great time! Let me know how things go. Thanks again, Steve
Hi Dan, yes things have changed a lot in New London. They have a really nice waterfront. Never thought that would happen on Bank Street. Take care and thanks for watching, Steve
Hi Lisa, thanks you for watching and the nice comment. It is a beautiful area! I was fortunate to grow up in Southeastern Connecticut. A little cold now that it's winter. Thanks again and all the best, Steve
I grew up in Waterford, CT too. I was born there and lived there from 1955 until 1973, in the Cohanzie school district area. I immediately recognized many of the streets that you filmed during your bicycle ride video. Based on your video, I think you blew the tire and spun out in your car on Great Neck Road, just after the entrance to Harkness State Park. Am I correct?? It was a great place to grow up as a child in the 50's and 60's. Thanks for the video!
Hi there and thanks for the comment. Waterford was a great place to grow up. I went to Southwest school. Then Clark Lane and Norwich Tech. And yes, I spun out my 1961 MGA on the corner near Harkness. Thanks again for watching and have a great day, Steve
we used to ride to all the city limits signs in town. Small town but really spread out. Get mom to make a sack lunch and take off for my friends house. we started north and worked ourselves around the compass to all the signs. Then took a picture! 1965
Hi Gary, not a bad place to grow up. I graduated in 1970 but went to Norwich Tech. Did go to Southwest Elementary and Clark Lane. Its a great area to ride. Small world. Take care and stay safe, Steve
Hey, I grew up In Ridgewood park on laurel st - moved away after 8th grade but remember it well… skating on alewife cove, used to hear the music from the merry go round and polka at ocean beach - clam fritters fried in beef tallow lol - bus load of kids singing on the way to great neck - harkness….
Hey Jon, its a small world isn't it. The house I pointed out was on Laurel Street. Lived there 7th and 8th grade while my dad was building our new house on Lamphere Road. After Clark Lane I went to Norwich Tech. Great memories of Ocean Beach and Waterford beach. Thanks again and all the best, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling Hey Steve, yeah I realized that after I went back and looked, I was on the other side of the street and two houses up, borne and raised there - left after Clark lane for Rhode Island. Very cool video, thanks for the memories!
Thanks Stephen, yes it was a beautiful hot day. Plenty of great restaurants in the area for fried clams. Thanks again for watching and stay safe, Steve
Hi Gary, thank you for watching and the comment. I had a very enjoyable childhood and into my late 60's. I hear life begins at 70? Can't wait to see what I bring to my future. However, enjoying every day to the fullest. Today is a very good day and tomorrow will be even better. Thanks again and stay safe, Steve
Hey Steve. I went to Clark Lane then Waterford High class of 72. Lived in Quaker Hill. I rode my Schwinn Varsity all over from Mystic to Devil’s Hopyard to downtown New London. I worked with the Reducers guitar players over at Conn College. I am down in Charlottesville VA now. Picked up a Priority 600 in Dec 2021, love it. Need to get out more this year. Looking for a mini-van to haul the bike with the wheels on.
Hey Michael, I also went to Clark Lane then Norwich Tech graduated 1970. I bought a Schwinn Varsity when I was 12. Used it for my New London Day paper route. And rode it all over the place. I recommend a Chrysler Pacifica or Caravan. They both have lay flat seats. I bought a black Pacifica. I’m touring right now from Canadian border to Manhattan. Small world, thanks, Steve
Hey Steve, I did a similar ride a few years back, I grew up in New Milford, I did a 100 mile loop over to New Milford and back, I rode thru the old neighborhood, saw the old house and place where my dad worked. It was a great ride. Thanks
Hey Doug, it is good to revisit the old neighborhood. Great memories and allows us to reflect on where we've come from. Sounds like your ride was just that. Take care and stay safe, Steve
Some of the best roads! We ride here often from our office on Pequot Ave heading west toward the Lymes. I just subscribed to your channel. I do some cycling and hiking on my own channel. I live in Stonington, CT and grew up in Shelton. Lived in Connecticut all my life and I'm my late 50's.
Hi John, great riding in Southeastern CT. Many years ago I worked at Davis Standard in Pawcatuck and then Monsanto in Stonington Point way before they turned to old factory into Condos. Love the town. Thanks for subscribing and I will check out your channel. Take care, Steve
I loved this trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing these stories. Finally, congratulations in advance on hitting 1,000 subscribers. I've enjoyed being part of the journey and hope to enjoy plenty more to come.
Hi Jay and thank you for the encouraging comment! Many more adventures to come. In a few days I will be finishing my cycling trip of the entire east coast of the USA. It will be a good feeling of accomplishment. I hope you are doing well and have had a great summer wherever you are these days. Take care and stay safe, Steve
This is such a cool idea! What an emotional and special journey. I rode bikes in Queensland, Australia as a kid. I wish I had such moving memories and stories. Although, sneaking into the amusement park would be something we'd have done as kids in Oz too. But, there would be salt water crocodiles in water like that so we wouldn't risk going that close to the water to get around a fence like that! Probably, my strongest memory of bicycles was from when we lived on a steep street. I rode my bike to visit friends and buy sweets. One day, I saw a guy riding up the hill and his bike was making these weird sounds! I felt sorry for him that his bike was broken. It was years later that it dawned on me that he was changing gears. I had never seen a bike with gears before! Go well, Penelope
Thanks Penelope! You have some good memories of your own. Crocodiles? Yikes, I wouldn't get anywhere near the water either. I hope you are doing well with many more adventures and memories ahead. Take care and all the best, Steve
Hi there and thanks for the comment. Yes, only 5 away from 1000. It's fun for me to make videos about the pastime I enjoy. Thanks again for watching and take care of yourself, Steve
Wow Steve what an amazing video!! I probably loved it so much because I grew up in Groton and I too worked at that pharmaceutical company. Small world isn’t it?? Do you know what year your dad retired?? I started in 1988!! Wouldn’t that be something if I knew him or of him even 😊🚴
Hi again, thanks for the nice comment. It is a small world. If I remember correctly, my dad retired as a research scientist in the late 70's. If was a great company and as a kid I loved their annual picnic every year at Ocean Beach "free rides all day". Thanks again and stay safe, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling yes the family summer picnics were fun as well as the annual Christmas catalog we got every year for a very long time. Both have gone away but I still had a sense of the “Pfizer family “ when I retired after 30 years. 😊😊
Hi Jim and thanks for watching. Yes that would be Pfizer. It was a great place for my Dad to work for 30 years. He retired in the late 70's. It seemed growing up in the area most either worked at Pfizer making drugs or Electric Boat making Submarines. Thanks for watching and take care, Steve
From Plainfield CT and worked at EB in Groton from 1974 to 1979 this little ride of yours brought back my memories of the New London area Thank You
Thank you for your stories. Take care, Al
Hi Al, hope you are doing well. The cool weather is almost hear and VT. Thanks again for the comment and you take care, Steve
This is lovely.
When I was twelve, we'd ride from Waterford to the New London Shopping Center where my parents owned The Card & Party Shop (Hallmark store). It was about five miles on Vauxhall Street. Cycling that far (on a 1976 Huffy Stars & Stripes muscle bike) was my first taste of freedom. If we felt brave, we'd ride the bridge over 95 to the New London Mall (Two Guys Dept Store).
Thank you Ian. Nice memories. I know all the areas you are talking about. Most things have changed, they always do. Wonder where that Huffy is now? Hopefully somebody is enjoying a classic. Thanks again and take care, Steve
I worked at the Card & Party Shop in Waterford, CT at the mall when I was 16 years old in 1971.
Steve, loved your memory ride. I grew up in Norwich, CT and your videos brought back so many of my memories of block island, the Thames river (my uncle Everett had a boat and he would take up up the river and we could see the submarines being built in their hangers. Love that area. Live outside of Philadelphia now and enjoy Jersey Shore but not they same as the wonderful little towns along the coast of New England. I love your videos and as a cyclist would love to follow in your foot steps when I retire in a few years. Keep up the great adventures. Jeff
Hi Jeff, thanks for watching. We also spend a lot of time on the Thanes River and Long Island Sound on our Sailboat. Beautiful area. Growing up in Waterford I went to Norwich Tech high school. Southeastern CT is a nice place to grow up. I hope you can make plans to do some long distance cycling when you retire. Take care, Steve
That was great! Thanks for sharing your memories!
Thanks again for watching. It is one of my favorite local rides. Thanks againg and take care, Steve
Thank you Steve another great video😊👍
Thanks for watching
Wonderful video Steve. very nice stories, beautiful memories thank you for sharing. Once again Steve. stay safe and healthy
Hi Werner, just saw your comment. Thank you and I wish you a happy and healthy 2023
The Seaford Sanatorium story is heavy hitting. I'm glad your sister got better. In the 1800s, the cure for TB was to head west to drier climates.
Your granduncle saving money and buying the marina is definitely a great story.
When I was a tween, I went fishing. The fish I caught swallowed the hook and I pulled it out. I heard a pop sound and the fish was dead. I never went fishing again.
I did a cycling trip down memory lane one year ago during Labor Day weekend. While some things remain and other things are new, "time waits for no one" is always in my mind. Live now and not later.
Nice job on the video!
Hi Buck, thanks for the great comment. As you say, time waits for no one. We have to give and get as much enjoyment in life during the short time we are here. At the end of each day I try to reflect on how my day went. How I treated others and whether I was able to make someone smile. We always have a lot of room for improvement. Thank you again and take care, Steve
I'm thoroughly enjoying your videos so far, Steve.
When I was growing up, my family (mom, dad, my brother and me) would often ride our bikes on country roads in Illinois and pick up aluminum cans for recycling. We lived in a rural area surrounded by farmland, but people littered a lot in that county, enough to get us money from cashing in cans to eat out once or twice a year.
One time we rode about 4 miles into town and ate breakfast at a fast food place. That was almost 40 years ago and my mom has since passed, but it was always fun to spend time outdoors with my parents.
Hi Brian, thanks for the nice comment. Those memories you have will be there forever. The simple things done with family are what's important and most memorable. Thank you for sharing a small part of your past. Take care and stay safe, Steve
I love following your videos. Great story ❤️
Hi Doris and thank you. I hope you have had a wonderful summer and have lots more adventures ahead. I saw that you posted some videos of a trip to Florence. I want to go there some day. It must have been a great experience. Thanks again and take care of yourself and the ones you love, Steve
Sneaking into ocean beach lol - sailing at the yatch club - fishing off the little green bridge
It was a fun time! Thanks again Jon and take care, Steve
Nice Steve. Thanks for sharing a bit of your early years. My memories growing up was getting on a bike and exploring new areas all the time. My bike was my passport to adventure. I’m glad I got to see some of yours.
Passport to adventure! You nailed it. Thanks for the nice comment and have a great weekend, Steve
Great memories you have and a good idea to ride through and show us where you hung out. The area is beautiful and quaint, it must of been a great place to grow up at.
Our house was a short distance to Grants Farm which is where the Busch family lived. I would ride my bike to their stables and pet the Clydesdales. Years later I found out that the bathrooms at the Busch castle had hot and cold water, and a Budweiser tap in case you were thirsty!
Hi Terry, you also have great memories! I'm sure Grants Farm was a special place. Thanks for sharing and have a great day. Take care, Steve
Loved it! You gave me the idea to do the same in my childhood neighborhood. Thanks again!
Hey Berenice, great idea for you to ride through your old neighborhood. Doing it on a bicycle brings back long forgotten good memories. Take care of yourself and have a great weekend, Steve
always great to see your videos, Steve! thanks again. I wonder what your childhood home is worth today. ocean views!
Hi Kevin, sorry for the very late reply! sometime I miss comments. I'm sure whatever the house is worth now I can't afford it. Take care and thanks for watching, Steve
Hey!! I live in Groton, my favorite ride was in downtown Mystic. Nice video, as always
Hey Amy, I hope you have enjoyed the summer! Many years ago (when I was 20) I lived in Groton in my first apartment (Jackson Park Apartments). I rode my bike to work 17 miles to Pawcatuck. Use to ride through downtown Mystic. At one time I had an office downtown over Higgins Pharmacy (long gone). Beautiful area. Thanks again and take care of yourself, Steve
I remember Fred’s Shanty when it was Margra’s. Where did the time go? I lived in the summer on Neptune Ave. at my grandmother’s place..she rented rooms. Ocean Beach was my heaven. I love your sneaking into the amusement park. CLASSIC. Nicely done Steve. Thanks for the memories.
Hi there and thank you for the nice comment. It's a special place in the summer. Good memories of being young in such a nice area. Making more memories now that I'm retired as I'm sure you are too. Take care and have a great 2023
Steve, A few days ago, I commented on one of your Great Allegheny Passage videos and mentioned that I was born and raised in a town that is near the Ohiopyle, Rockwood and Meyersdale area in Pennsylvania. When I came across your New London Connecticut video, I shared it with my husband, and he told me that he had his boat docked at your uncle's marina for about four years! That was long before we met. We have docked in a few places since then like Mystic and Westbrook and we are now docked in Clinton, Connecticut but live in Southington. We would prefer to live on the shoreline. I really enjoy your videos!
Hi there and thanks again for your comment! Nice to know that your husband docked at my uncles place. We had a sailboat moored in Essex for over twenty years. Sold it last year, very difficult decision but need to finally explore other things in life. Very fond memories... Heading to Europe tomorrow for some biking adventures. Thanks again and all the best to you and your husband, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling Essex is a nice town. We never owned a sailboat, but my husband had friends who lived on their sailboat on a mooring in Key West from September until May and then they would sail back to Mystic CT for the summer. We have a Chris Craft Commander, but we did not use it yet this season since it still needs some work done. Have a great time in Europe!
Hey Steve nice video. My first bike was from Goodwill. It had coaster brakes, and when it wasn't acting up, I rode it around my neighborhood on Wilkens Ave. There was a big stretch in time when I didn't ride a bike until my brother brought 2 abandoned bikes home from an apartment complex where he worked in maintenance. I remember riding my bike to Patapsco State Park. and riding around within the park. I like the part of the video where you talked about the blue crabs, too. I remember going crabbing, I love me some blue crabs. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Steve.
Hey Dog, thank you for sharing your story. I remember the thrill of seeing the blue crabs illuminated under the water by our light. We saw a lot but could only take a few of the big ones. I'm sure you have many memories of riding in the State Park. Our minds are wonderful things to hold on to and play back the movie of our good memories. Take care and stay safe, Steve
What great memories - looks like a wonderful area to grow up in. Loved this video!
Thank you Elizabeth! I hope you are doing well and have enjoyed your summer. It was certainly a great place to grow up. Thursday I'm finishing up the USA east coast by starting where I left off in Nashua and cycling to my home in Connecticut. Should have good weather and minimal wind. Thanks again and take care, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling safe travels to you as you finish this fantastic journey! I’ll be looking forward to the video of the trip. FYI, my husband and I are finally doing the Cross NH trail Oct. 3-5th. He has recently gotten an ebike and is loving it. It will be his very first bike packing trip - I hope I can keep up with him on my gravel bike!
@@elizabethburgess3969 Thanks again! That going to be a great trip. Three day will allow you to enjoy the trip at an easy pace. We had one person in our group with a road bike. Her tires weren't wide enough making for difficulty at times. Sounds like you guys will have a great time! Let me know how things go. Thanks again, Steve
I lived in new London in the late 70’s changed a lot
Hi Dan, yes things have changed a lot in New London. They have a really nice waterfront. Never thought that would happen on Bank Street. Take care and thanks for watching, Steve
That was an awesome video. I have never been to Connecticut, it looks beautiful, now I have to go!
Hi Lisa, thanks you for watching and the nice comment. It is a beautiful area! I was fortunate to grow up in Southeastern Connecticut. A little cold now that it's winter. Thanks again and all the best, Steve
I grew up in Waterford, CT too. I was born there and lived there from 1955 until 1973, in the Cohanzie school district area. I immediately recognized many of the streets that you filmed during your bicycle ride video. Based on your video, I think you blew the tire and spun out in your car on Great Neck Road, just after the entrance to Harkness State Park. Am I correct?? It was a great place to grow up as a child in the 50's and 60's. Thanks for the video!
Hi there and thanks for the comment. Waterford was a great place to grow up. I went to Southwest school. Then Clark Lane and Norwich Tech. And yes, I spun out my 1961 MGA on the corner near Harkness. Thanks again for watching and have a great day, Steve
we used to ride to all the city limits signs in town. Small town but really spread out. Get mom to make a sack lunch and take off for my friends house. we started north and worked ourselves around the compass to all the signs. Then took a picture! 1965
Great memories Jeffrey! We can still make new ones however small or large. Thanks and have a great day, Steve
Hi Steve, I grew up in 50/60/70's in Waterford also and take an annual ride with my wife on those same roads.
Hi Gary, not a bad place to grow up. I graduated in 1970 but went to Norwich Tech. Did go to Southwest Elementary and Clark Lane. Its a great area to ride. Small world. Take care and stay safe, Steve
Hey, I grew up In Ridgewood park on laurel st - moved away after 8th grade but remember it well… skating on alewife cove, used to hear the music from the merry go round and polka at ocean beach - clam fritters fried in beef tallow lol - bus load of kids singing on the way to great neck - harkness….
Hey Jon, its a small world isn't it. The house I pointed out was on Laurel Street. Lived there 7th and 8th grade while my dad was building our new house on Lamphere Road. After Clark Lane I went to Norwich Tech. Great memories of Ocean Beach and Waterford beach. Thanks again and all the best, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling Hey Steve, yeah I realized that after I went back and looked, I was on the other side of the street and two houses up, borne and raised there - left after Clark lane for Rhode Island. Very cool video, thanks for the memories!
@@joncraigue8436 Very very small world indeed. Thanks again, Steve
nice ride around town. wanted fried clams and tartar sauce bad. sunny day ride.
Thanks Stephen, yes it was a beautiful hot day. Plenty of great restaurants in the area for fried clams. Thanks again for watching and stay safe, Steve
Thanks for that video. I enjoyed joining you on your riding the past
Hi Gary, thank you for watching and the comment. I had a very enjoyable childhood and into my late 60's. I hear life begins at 70? Can't wait to see what I bring to my future. However, enjoying every day to the fullest. Today is a very good day and tomorrow will be even better. Thanks again and stay safe, Steve
Great video dear friend, remembering your childhood😀👏👏👏👏
Hey Sergio! Hope you are doing well my friend. Good to hear from you! Thank you as always and stay safe, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling cheers my dear friend, greetings from Argentina
Hey Steve. I went to Clark Lane then Waterford High class of 72. Lived in Quaker Hill. I rode my Schwinn Varsity all over from Mystic to Devil’s Hopyard to downtown New London. I worked with the Reducers guitar players over at Conn College. I am down in Charlottesville VA now. Picked up a Priority 600 in Dec 2021, love it. Need to get out more this year. Looking for a mini-van to haul the bike with the wheels on.
Hey Michael, I also went to Clark Lane then Norwich Tech graduated 1970. I bought a Schwinn Varsity when I was 12. Used it for my New London Day paper route. And rode it all over the place. I recommend a Chrysler Pacifica or Caravan. They both have lay flat seats. I bought a black Pacifica. I’m touring right now from Canadian border to Manhattan. Small world, thanks, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling That is Awesome!!! Have a great trip! I suppose you are riding the Empire State Trail. I will be 70 very soon🤘🤘
Hey Steve, I did a similar ride a few years back, I grew up in New Milford, I did a 100 mile loop over to New Milford and back, I rode thru the old neighborhood, saw the old house and place where my dad worked. It was a great ride. Thanks
Hey Doug, it is good to revisit the old neighborhood. Great memories and allows us to reflect on where we've come from. Sounds like your ride was just that. Take care and stay safe, Steve
Some of the best roads! We ride here often from our office on Pequot Ave heading west toward the Lymes.
I just subscribed to your channel. I do some cycling and hiking on my own channel. I live in Stonington, CT and grew up in Shelton. Lived in Connecticut all my life and I'm my late 50's.
Hi John, great riding in Southeastern CT. Many years ago I worked at Davis Standard in Pawcatuck and then Monsanto in Stonington Point way before they turned to old factory into Condos. Love the town. Thanks for subscribing and I will check out your channel. Take care, Steve
Buddy Guy!!
I can remember the show like it was yesterday... It was awesome!!
I loved this trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing these stories. Finally, congratulations in advance on hitting 1,000 subscribers. I've enjoyed being part of the journey and hope to enjoy plenty more to come.
Hi Jay and thank you for the encouraging comment! Many more adventures to come. In a few days I will be finishing my cycling trip of the entire east coast of the USA. It will be a good feeling of accomplishment. I hope you are doing well and have had a great summer wherever you are these days. Take care and stay safe, Steve
Great stories Steve. Thanks for taking us down your memory lane.
Thanks Tony, it was a good day. Hope you're able to stay out of the heat. Take care, Steve
This is such a cool idea! What an emotional and special journey. I rode bikes in Queensland, Australia as a kid. I wish I had such moving memories and stories. Although, sneaking into the amusement park would be something we'd have done as kids in Oz too. But, there would be salt water crocodiles in water like that so we wouldn't risk going that close to the water to get around a fence like that! Probably, my strongest memory of bicycles was from when we lived on a steep street. I rode my bike to visit friends and buy sweets. One day, I saw a guy riding up the hill and his bike was making these weird sounds! I felt sorry for him that his bike was broken. It was years later that it dawned on me that he was changing gears. I had never seen a bike with gears before! Go well, Penelope
Thanks Penelope! You have some good memories of your own. Crocodiles? Yikes, I wouldn't get anywhere near the water either. I hope you are doing well with many more adventures and memories ahead. Take care and all the best, Steve
Awesome video. If you have not done so already help Steve get over the 1k sub mark!!
Hi there and thanks for the comment. Yes, only 5 away from 1000. It's fun for me to make videos about the pastime I enjoy. Thanks again for watching and take care of yourself, Steve
Wow Steve what an amazing video!! I probably loved it so much because I grew up in Groton and I too worked at that pharmaceutical company. Small world isn’t it?? Do you know what year your dad retired?? I started in 1988!! Wouldn’t that be something if I knew him or of him even 😊🚴
Hi again, thanks for the nice comment. It is a small world. If I remember correctly, my dad retired as a research scientist in the late 70's. If was a great company and as a kid I loved their annual picnic every year at Ocean Beach "free rides all day". Thanks again and stay safe, Steve
@@steveretiredandcycling yes the family summer picnics were fun as well as the annual Christmas catalog we got every year for a very long time. Both have gone away but I still had a sense of the “Pfizer family “ when I retired after 30 years. 😊😊
A pharmaceutical company…would that be Pfizer? That’s the only one in that area I know of.
Hi Jim and thanks for watching. Yes that would be Pfizer. It was a great place for my Dad to work for 30 years. He retired in the late 70's. It seemed growing up in the area most either worked at Pfizer making drugs or Electric Boat making Submarines. Thanks for watching and take care, Steve