Another Day Another Bike

I know I keep posting pictures of my new bikes on here but I can't seem to find the right one since my old one was stolen.  It was so hard because I fixed that one up just the way I like it and I was used to it and then some jerk just helped themselves.  So, anyway, since then I have had 4 bikes, lol.  The first one I got right afterwards and it was a nice bike but too heavy for me so I sold that and got a different bike.  I really like that bike a lot but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for so I found a bike I had seen in the store and really wanted but it was too expensive.  I found one on Craigslist for half the price, nearly new so I got that.  Nice bike, too, but single speed and I really want one with more speeds to climb hills so I sold that one, too.

I have always wanted an Electra bike but they are way too expensive for me.  New they are at least $500 and even used it is hard to find one under $200 so that is out of my price range.  Well, the other day I was in a second hand store looking at their bikes and there it was, an older, beat up looking Electra Townie.  I asked how much and she said $50.  $50 is a steal for even a beat up Electra so I asked if I could take it for a ride.  I took it outside and it rode beautifully.  I noticed that the brake handle on it was broken, no big deal since it also has coaster brakes, so I asked her if I could get a discount.  She asked how much and I decided to low ball her and said $30 and she said $35 and I grabbed it before she knew what she was doing.  For me it was like getting a Mercedes Benz for $500 because it had bad brakes.  I took it to my bike shop and for $17 he fixed the brake handle and replaced the hand grips and reflectors and I took it home and cleaned it up and now I have a terrific bike for a little over $50.  I have been riding it all over.  The funny thing is, I hate exercise.  That is not anything new.  I have hated to exercise since grade school when I made up every excuse in the book to get out of PE.  I've tried to like it, God knows I have tried, but no matter what I could never even force myself to tolerate it.  I always felt like I was punishing myself.  After my first WLS I swore I would exercise regularly and I joined Curves and paid for a year up front.  I went religiously three days a week, never missed a day, until the year was up and I never went back.  It never got easier and I never like a second of it.  For me exercise seemed like too much work for too little reward.

Anyway, I don't look at bike riding as exercise.  It is just a fun activity I like to do.  I hardly was able to ride at all in the last year because of my headaches and neck problems so now that I am healthy again I look forward to getting out there and riding.  The funny thing is even after riding for hours I don't feel tired afterwards.  I'm no expert and I really don't know much about bikes or biking but I like riding around, especially when the weather is nice.  The only thing I don't care for is hills and I am trying to get used to them.  That is why I like a bike with speeds.  The Electra is 3 speed, which really isn't enough for me.  The third gear is too hard to pedal and the second gear is too easy.  That is why I like having the other bike, because it is a 7 speed and I like riding that when there are a lot of hills.  I am thinking of joining a biking group and learning bicycle maintenance.  There is one for women that sound interesting.  I have been doing some things with my bikes but it would be nice to know what I was doing.  I also have been going on Ebay and getting all kinds of accessories for my bikes for practically nothing, like bike computers and locks and lights, all from China for very little money compared to the bike shops.  So now the Electra is outfitted the way I like.  It as baskets so I can shop and carry things in it, a nice gel seat and a mirror, horn, lights and all kinds of goodies.  I always get a lot of comments when I am riding because it is such a cute bike.  

I feel fortunate because I am 55 years old and I see a lot of women my age who can hardly walk and have a lot of health problems and here I am riding all over town on my pink bike.  I couldn't be doing this if I weighed 135 lbs more, that is for sure.  I am not riding to lose weight or even to tone up since that ship has pretty much sailed.  I enjoy the activity because it is good for my mental health and really helps me with my depression.  It is the best antidepressant I have found.

I can't say I am done getting bikes because I would really love a bike like this one but with 7 speeds but unless I really luck out I doubt that will happen for a while but I am happy for now with what I have.  Here is a picture of my new bike.

***LIKE***

It IS a cute bike and I bet you need the gel seat with your bony butt.  I'm so happy you found an activities that works for you and is helping to keep you healthy.  That's what it is all about. 

That is a cute bike - totally loaded with all the accessories a gal needs.

I've always read to find activities like dancing or some type of sport that you really like to do, because it will be the only exercise that you stick with.  Good to be reminded of that. 

I ride my bike a lot also. I use it to exercise my dog.  It's the only way I can get her in a full run for miles and keep up with her.  And I do feel happier when I ride around town for a while.

Great bike. I have a beautiful and really expensive bike from my sister. I'm leaving it behind when I move back to NY. But, I didn't really spend enough time riding anyway. 

Enjoy your rides this summer.

Love the bike, Tazz...

I can absolutely totally relate to the loath of exercise. I'll walk the dogs cause it's good for them and a chance for me to get moving, I do house renovations cause I see progress. And yes, we have bikes but the house we are in now is not condusive to riding and a bike rake wasn't in the cards. Where we are moving to tho is gonna be great. Now if I can just get dh back on it too.

Tazz, I love your new bike.  It is neat that you can carry anything you want on it with all those baskets!! 

Enjoy it.  Glad you found something you like to do.

Linda

Pretty Bike...I hope this one works out for you!!  I always enjoyed riding bikes.  Maybe I'll get DH to dig my old one out of storage.

She's a beaut! Good for you for finding something that doesn't feel like work. I think that is key to a long term successful program.

I always enjoy your posts about the bikes  After surgery I rented a bike at the Biltmore House to see if I could still ride a bike and I loved it!!  I then bought a used cruiser off of craigslist.  I need to put air in the tires and get it out this summer.  I really enjoyed it but like you hate HILLS.  I have gotten burnt out again on exercise and have been so tired due to anemia but am hoping to be on the mend soon so you have inspired me to try to get my bike to the park this weekend,  You also have me thinking maybe I need one with speeds.

Enjoy the riding!!!

~~Jennifer