Allentown, Pennsylvania
Everette is a dedicated track cycle racing fan and he volunteers at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome every Tuesday and Friday nights during the season. Oddly enough, Everette stopped riding a bike at age 15 when he acquired a motor-bike. A short time later he obtained his drivers license at age 16 (on his birthday), and said goodbye to bikes, motorized or not, presumably forever. Took up bike riding again when the oldest of the grandkids took the training wheels off his bike, just a few short years ago. Initially, he rode a 1976 Schwinn 10-speed bike that had belonged to one of his daughters. He then purchased an inexpensive mountain bike. He is not considered an experienced road-rider and he is not very competitive on the track. He has enrolled in and completed two or three Air Products Developmental Program sessions each summer since 1999 and, at last count, he has participated in twelve or thirteen APDCP's in the past five seasons and he has the T' shirts to prove it. Everette doesn't offer much competition for the thirty somethings... but is always willing to make the effort.
Everette purchased a Fuji track bike in (2003 model) and can be found on the track when it is open to the public and when opportunity presents itself. He destroyed his in-expensive mountain bike in the spring of 2003 and now rides a Trek 4200 and can be frequently found riding the Lehigh Canal towpath when the weather is good and there is nothing going on at the track. Everette does not do 'single-track', so don't ask.
On July 28, 2003 Everette fell while practicing track stands at T-Town and broke his left hip. On August 22nd he competed in the Air Products finals completing two laps around the track There were only two men in the 60+ category, he and his good friend, John Lucas, so he earned a silver medal for his effort. But it was little more than a couple of parade laps. By September 15th he was back on his bike on a regular basis and on October 7, 2003 he took delivery on a new 2004 Fuji AL 24-speed road bike. The Schwinn 10-speed was retired. So, on occasion, you might see Everette riding his Fuji on the roads around the Lehigh Valley and in and around Lehigh and Berks counties.
In November, 2004, Everette had elective left knee replacement surgery due to damage caused by years of wear and abuse and as a result of rheumatoid arthritis. The knee operation, in of itself, was a success but, complications caused the knee to be stiff and Everette experienced a limited range of motion which resulted in a limp and the need to use a cane. But, this did not interfere with bike-riding, at least not for long. Everette manages to ride all of his bikes on the few warm-sunny days we have had thus far this spring. Everette can't wait for more warm, sunny weather.
It has been decided that Everette will undergo total knee replacement revisionary surgery to correct the problem on his left knee. The surgery is scheduled for June 14, 2005. This will put a damper on things for a little while, but don't be surprised to see him out there on his bike sooner than you might expect.
In addition to his love of cycling, Everette is an avide reader, a student of the Civil War, an amateur historian, and an amateur genealogist. His is computer literate and delights in creating web sites. He maintains a number of genealogical web sites in the Mississippi county (Attala county), where his ancestors settled in the mid-1850's. He also has several whimsical sites that he created for his own amusement. Everette enjoys photography and takes his digital camera every where he goes. He is also a model railroad enthusiast and is in the process of constructing several small HO moduler layouts that can fit under his bed. Before moving into an apartment, he operated a full-size model railroad layout based on the Lehigh Valley Railroad which ceased operation in 1976.
He is an active member of the National Canal Museum and a member of the Union-West End Cemetery Association, Allentwon, Pennsylvania. He is the Editor of the 'View Inside', a quarterly newsletter for the residents of Cedar View Apartments, an elderly high-rise in South Whitehall Township. Everette is a past president of the Emmaus Lions Club, and was until recently, active with the Emmaus Masonic Temple, Lodge #792 and a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason.
"Stockpile little,
sing while you can
and know that your time is short"
Yes, it's a 1976 model University
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