October arrived, and my parents had been strongly hinting that I'd like my present. My Raleigh was dead. Bearings, spokes, and tubing had all been beaten to within an inch of their lives over the past 7 months, and it was barely ridable. I was never (an certainly am not now!) a gifted rider, but was now a long way past the capabilities of the old wreck.
The morning of my birthday, I was sent off to school, with promises of presents when I returned. My day passed in a blur. I could think of nothing but blue and silver fade paintwork. Project 2s. Thumbies. Big blackwalled tyres.
I got home.
My Mum and Dad, sensing my anticipation and excitement, gestured me towards the garage.
I was shaking when I saw a blanket covering what was clearly a bike. I snatched it off, and was greeted with my new steed; a Muddy Fox Pathfinder! It was a 19" frame (I was about 5'4" tall at the time), and turned out to be an insurance replacement from a friend of my Mum who had had his previous bike stolen. As it goes, they couldn't afford the kona, but knew I needed a new ride, so got the best they could afford. I was gutted, but grateful.
That Pathfinder saw me good for a few years. The forks bent, it was too big, it weighed a LOT, and every component wore out. I raced it, bashed it, and loved it. As time went by, I got a part time job, and bought better frames, bikes and components.
The Muddy Fox was gone, but the 1993 Konas never left me. Many years pass.
Shortly after I joined retrobike, a for sale Ad popped up. It was local. Barely used. Quick sale needed. £50.
I picked up the phone, and a few minutes later I was on my way to Romsey. I finally had my entry level unicorn from 18 years previous!

I've never bothered with a build thread. Nobody needs to hear about a standard 1993 Fire Mountain. But this bike has seen more action than all my others put together. I've fitted maguras, and a ritchey saddle, but it's otherwise as it left the factory; it even has a 'GA Cycles' sticker on the frame! I love it, I love the way it handles, and I love the way it makes me
Smile.It is, for me, what retrobike is. But there is of course, N+1...
A few weeks ago another Ad popped up... Local, nice little project, and with me being a shortarse, the right size!
PMs were exchanged, a deal was done, and I was again in my car, on my way to visit MatBH5 in Bournemouth. I got to Mats house, and there was no doubt that this guy loves his bikes! I was blown away by some of his rides, but I was there for one. One that had won bike of the year nearly a quarter of a century ago.

The Fire Mountain now has a bigger brother
Mat bought the Kilauea for some of it's parts, but let me have some that he didn't need, wheels, cranks and saddle. The past week has seen me collecting a bunch of parts to finish it off. The forks will get a repaint, and a set of maguras (I have a problem), but will be mainly factory so I can see the difference between the models. The frame itself is in great condition, and looks stunning.
More pics will follow, and I apologise for the drivel I've posted here, but I'm a happy boy

I hope to get her ridden in the next week.
Later!