Bicycle gave the gift of freedom, and really good fishing, too

The story recounts a boy’s 1962 trout-fishing trip that began with an unexpected gift: Fay Shores, a repairman in Oakland, gave the author a restored Schwinn Deluxe Hornet—converted to a three-speed—free of charge. After pedaling 11 miles to reach Belgrade Lakes tributaries, the two boys worked a shaded, narrow stream pool, aiming for a five-trout limit during June’s hottest days. The narrative details their gear, lunch, and creek approach, including Turner Brook flowing into Great Pond. It also notes Shores’ slogan, “If you can haul it here, I can fix it,” and his broad repair capabilities.