In 1966, my parents promised me a Schwinn Stingray if I advanced to the smart kids reading group in my first grade class. I did, and I got the bike. It was my pride and joy. One night, I forgot to bring it inside, left it out on the lawn. It was stolen. I have missed that bike ever since. I had to go back to riding an old one speed that had a removable top bar so it could be a boys or girls bike. I had had a wreck with that bike, and bent the frame, so the top bar wouldn’t go back in place It was thus a girls bike. I learned a valuable lesson about human nature from that theft.
They made a movie about that, it was called Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Have you checked the Alamo, in the basement?
My story is similar but different I had a full size boys bike (way too big) from sears, my grandparents gave me and my brother identical bikes one year for Christmas. I was probably 8 at the time (1966). After a time mine was stolen and since I needed a replacement I lobbied hard and heavy for a String Ray style bike. I ended up with a Ross Barracuda. This was a 3 speed bike, Maroon in color, very cool. I was 11 then.
After a time I broke the 3 speed hub, my parents had it converted to a single speed coaster brake. I rode that thing when I got my paper route a few years later but saved up my paper money and bought a Raleigh 3 speed, a regular style full size bicycle. I rod that thing to death until I got my first 10 speed bike, also from paper route money this was at the height of the 10 speed popularity I was 15 or 16 then. I put many thousands of miles on the Raleigh 3 speed but learned to love bikes on the 10 speed.
I just within the past month took my 1986 Nishiki Olympic 2x6 out of mothballs. Took it down to the frame and did a few minor upgrades, about $150.00 in total. Classic steel. Been a non-rider for about 15 years but have decided to ride in a metric century this July that is 65 miles. Got a gut to lose.