Worlds of Tourist

Lately I have been contemplating the use and function of my stable.  As I have posted before, my collection is getting fairly nice.  Several Varsity models, a Continental, a Sport, a Burgundy World Tourist, my Raleigh built Hercules 3, and 10 speed, among just a few.  My favorite of them all is the World Tourist.  So much so, that I have been looking to bolster my collection of parts to make sure I can keep it maintained in the years to come.

My Burgundy 84 World Tourist

Continental Divide.

And so the weekend starts.  Whats summer without a mid day road trip to fetch a bike, and today we got a doozey.  I received an email with a picture attached of a 73 red Schwinn continental. The price seemed ok, and the condition didn't seem bad.  So I inquired for more.  A few more pictures later, and some harrowing negotiations, a deal was struck.  Off to Oshkosh we go.
After two hours, we made it, and I was shocked.  In the pictures that I received, in the classic behind the garage bike pose, it looked like a red Schwinn Continental.  This Schwinn Continental however was not red.  It was sunset orange...  wow.  While a a Continental is not much more than a fancier Varsity, the color in this model is hard to find.  At least around here it has been. Some of the cycling collector forums have eluded to the same in other places as well.  Back to the bike... it is in pretty good condition, new handlebar wrap, but those rarely survive, newer tires, but the rest is original and with a slight patina of rust on the chrome.  The paint is good with some scratches.   No surprises.  Well worth the trip. In all with the cost for gas, and paying for the bike, it cost me less than a trip for coffee and a muffin with the kids.