Bike!

[redfox]

Today I bought a very cute vintage Schwinn with new components. It is quite similar to the one I rode in high school... Except the brakes are better! A local non-profit rehabs bikes as a student training program, and retails them as an income stream.

I haven't been on a bike in 20 years... So I rode to the library & back. Tomorrow, to a local bike/walk/run loop in a park, which is 2.5 miles and F.L.A.T. I am really looking forward to this form of exercise... Next year, I may do something more adventurous than the local loop.

Woo hoo, must be spring...

[ctg492]

You go! Soon you will be rolling along farther then you thought. I started riding about 11 years ago and hope I am stil riding at 90 :)

[redfox]

You go! Soon you will be rolling along farther then you thought. I started riding about 11 years ago and hope I am stil riding at 90 :)

Wow. Thank you! Best encouragement ever. And... You're really 90?!? That is so fantastic! I would love to hear more about your life.

[ctg492]

OH NO I am not 90! I hope I am still riding at 90.....A long ways to go yet :)

[HumboldtGurl]

Wooo hoo! Today the library, tomorrow cross-country! Congratulations. Now, don't forget your helmet!

[redfox]

OH NO I am not 90! I hope I am still riding at 90.....A long ways to go yet :)

Oh, haha! Me too... and yes, HumboldtGurl, a helmet is non-negotiable.

[Gardenarian]

That's great Redfox! I remember how much I loved my Schwinn Stingray when I was a kid - I lived on that thing.

One thing about San Francisco - too many dang hills!

[ctg492]

The helmet law was repealed in MI for Motorcycles a few weeks ago. I swear that morning, it was like the motorcycle people ripped the helmets off. That morning I rode to the cleaners on my bike with my helmet of course. The man jokingly said You know there is no hemet law now. I said Yes but my hair would get messy. I always wear one. On my Moped too. I am going to guess it is about 1/4 of those I pass on the bike lanes that have helmets. The racers always do. The ones that never wear ones seem to be the weekend "townie" types. They are the ones that do not know bike laws and courtesy either. I want to tell them to read the bike laws for the state.
I am just shy of 1,000 miles this year so far. I really hope to hit 3,600 this year...4,000 would be super...3,000 would be ok.

[pcooley]

Way to go! I have a $5000 custom made touring bike, but the bike I ride every day, everywhere is a 1978 Schwinn Super Le Tour that someone had converted to a single speed before we found it at a garage sale.

I was riding uphill to work today when a person all kitted up in lycra passed me on a fancy racing bike standing on the pedals and pumping away. I was able to pick up my pace just a little bit and stayed right behind him. I thought it must be a funny sight -- me in my work clothes on an old single speed with swept-back bars and a big front basket cruising along behind someone in glowy spandex standing on the pedals of his racing bike. I shouted "have a nice day" when we reached the top of the hill, and I turned into the drive to the college where I work.

Nah, I'm not competitive. Not a bit.

[redfox]

Just did a 4.8 mile loop -flat, of course! But I sure do feel awesome.

[Kestrel]

I hadn't ridden a bike in about 25 years and decided I wanted/needed one, so after careful deliberation we decided an adult tricycle (3-speed) would be better for me in this "urban" area which I'm still not totally used to. We did a fair amount of riding right away because the weather was nice, but then it got cold/warm/cold/colder/warm ... and you never knew what it was going to be, so haven't gone for a ride in about two weeks. But our last ride was 7.3 miles (round-trip) and I'm so surprised (and proud :cool: )! Not a bit tired or sore! A three-wheeler does take some getting used to -- surprisingly, doesn't feel quite as stable as a bike. I do ride on sidewalks a lot, and when I come to the driveways they're often "steeply" sloped out to the street, and I feel as tho I could tip over. We ride the Greenbelts a lot, which for a totally out-of-shape old lady can be somewhat challenging, but I've done just fine so far. DH is plotting out the easiest/quickest route to/from the grocery store with the best prices and I'll probably want to do that in the mornings or evenings and after rush-hour. DH bikes a lot so he does have to slow down his pace for me, and I tell him to go ahead, which he does a little, and then comes back to check on me. Bless his heart :).

[Tiam]

Way to go! I have a $5000 custom made touring bike, but the bike I ride every day, everywhere is a 1978 Schwinn Super Le Tour that someone had converted to a single speed before we found it at a garage sale.

I was riding uphill to work today when a person all kitted up in lycra passed me on a fancy racing bike standing on the pedals and pumping away. I was able to pick up my pace just a little bit and stayed right behind him. I thought it must be a funny sight -- me in my work clothes on an old single speed with swept-back bars and a big front basket cruising along behind someone in glowy spandex standing on the pedals of his racing bike. I shouted "have a nice day" when we reached the top of the hill, and I turned into the drive to the college where I work.

Nah, I'm not competitive. Not a bit.


So, it's not just me? I remember great one speed bikes that were fast and easy to pedal. Now I have some fancy mountain bike, (I bought used) but feel like it's a lot of work. I wondered if my memory was off.

[redfox]

So, it's not just me? I remember great one speed bikes that were fast and easy to pedal. Now I have some fancy mountain bike, (I bought used) but feel like it's a lot of work. I wondered if my memory was off.

One speeds are now called fixies (fixed gear). All the hipsters have them... :) I love the hipsters.

[Tiam]

One speeds are now called fixies (fixed gear). All the hipsters have them... :) I love the hipsters.


New models? Or the old models I'm thinking of?

[redfox]

New models? Or the old models I'm thinking of?
New, of course!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed-gear_bicycle

[pcooley]

I have a good old fashioned single speed I can coast on. I tried a fixie. It was too much work to have the pedals going around all the time. The hipsters are welcome to them.

[KayLR]

I got a Trek 21-speed a couple years ago and have gradually worked my way up to being a fairly good biker. When I began (I had never had a bike of my own--my parents were fearful, or cheap) --and I am in my mid-50s-- I had a couple spills. So, YES, wear a helmet! Now I ride most every day either commuting or for exercise. It's become something I feel like I need to do. The other night I was very frustrated with DH, and not knowing what else to do, I hopped on trusty bike and went out for 3 miles.

I think I'd feel like pcooley about the fixies. Sounds like a good way to bung up your ankles and shins!

[HappyHiker]

Love hearing about other happy bicyclists. When we moved to our town, we chose a house within walking/biking distance to most everything we need. We sold our second car and now use our two-wheels for most errands. With my roomy bike basket, I can do lighter grocery shopping--the basket holds two-three lightly packed grocery bags..

Thinking about this, I realize I've never been without a bicycle since I was a kid...just never outgrew my love of bicycling--and the freedom.

Now I own three bikes-- a funky fold-up, a vintage 5-speed Schwinn World Tourist, with 27 inch wheels and skinny tires, and a Trek hybrid. Bought all three used for $50-$150. I found mountain bikes were too clunky and heavy for my daily riding as it's on paved streets. The hybrid works on trails just fine.

Our upcoming vacation will take us to some rails to trails rides along rivers which we're excited about.

[krystal]

I am a cyclist and I love to ride the bike.I appreciate that you are turning to biking and I say that it is a very good and adventurous hobby.I want you to select a good track and get going with it.And always keep your bike clean and ready for adventure.I hope that you are going to enjoy biking very much.Thanks.:cool:

[Spartana]

Congrats on the new bike Redfox! I can't imagine a better place to ride than Seattle - well.. when it's not raining that is. I've been riding bicycles most of my life and , like Paul Cooley, had a road bike I use to race that cost more than my car. I've also had a Mt Bike since the late 1980's and that is my true passion. I sold my road biking a few years ago and now stick to riding my Mt bike - both off road on dirt trails and on paved off road bike trails (would love to ride the many rail-trails that are out there someday). Can't stand dealing with crazy auto drivers anymore.

[awakenedsoul]

I love my bike, too. I got it for $79.00 at Walmart. I used it to commute to work when I had my business. Now I use it to run my dogs and for errands. It's flat where I live, too. That makes it so much easier to ride. Sometimes I'll ride 13 miles to the Farmers Market and then take the bus home. We can put our bikes on the bus here. It's really helped me to get my heart in better shape! Enjoy your riding...do you have bike paths where you live? We have 30 miles of them here. They make it really pleasant.

[redfox]

I love my bike, too. I got it for $79.00 at Walmart. I used it to commute to work when I had my business. Now I use it to run my dogs and for errands. It's flat where I live, too. That makes it so much easier to ride. Sometimes I'll ride 13 miles to the Farmers Market and then take the bus home. We can put our bikes on the bus here. It's really helped me to get my heart in better shape! Enjoy your riding...do you have bike paths where you live? We have 30 miles of them here. They make it really pleasant.

We do have bike paths! I live next to one. I ride it to the library too... I am loving this bike thing...

[awakenedsoul]

That's great redfox! I rode my bike everywhere as a kid. I also have a bar that attaches to my bike that's called a Walkydog. This way I can run my dogs alongside me. (I do it one at a time.) They love it! They are both German Shepherds so they need a lot of exercise. They do the work, and I just sit there!

I see a lot more adults using bicycles around here for transportation and errands. I prefer it. Driving can be kind of stressful.

[artist]

Enjoy your bike. My husband I just rode 16 miles on a local rail trail. I like them for recreational riding because they are flat, well maintained and there are a ton of bikers on them. Local businesses that are nearby cater to bikers as well and have plenty of bike racks.

[awakenedsoul]

We are allowed to take our bikes on the trains here. It's really cool. I plan to take the train to the beach this summer. Weekend train passes are only $10.00! (Good Friday through Sunday.) I also put my bike on the bus bike racks sometimes. It's so convenient.