Yesterday I took the bike I'd gotten for free off of freecycle about six-years ago to a bike shop to get tuned up. For the past 3 1/2 years it had been locked up on the balcony outside my apartment, and exposed to all the elements. The bike guy took a look at it, and told me that it needed a lot more than just a tune up, and that he'd suggest starting over with a different bike. (rusted chain, rotted/dried out tires/tubes, etc.)
So, this morning while I was at Wal-mart getting a new tire on my car, I checked out the bikes. I ended up getting an 18-speed trail bike for about the same cost as revamping my old bike (10 speed cruiser.) (I also purchased a helmet and a little carry all bag that attaches to the handlebars.)
I took it out for a short spin this morning, and started to get my bike balance back, but not quite all the way yet.
I will definitely need to get a better bike seat soon, if I want to do anything more than a short bike ride.
*I am planning on looking for a place/someone to teach me basic bike care and maintenance. Now that I have a new/nice bike, I'd like to know how to keep it nice for as long as possible.
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This move is benefiting me financially, emotionally (related to not having to worry so much about stretching min wage dollars + going to school), and also physically since I have two good excuses to be active every single day.
At my new home I have been taking the landlady's two dogs out for a walk everyday. One of the dogs is quite overweight, and only goes for a short bit. The other one though, I can't seem to tire her out!
So, once I get a bit more steady/confident on my bike, I'll take her out on a short bike ride and see if I can manage to finally tire her out.
In fact, the dogs have come to expect it. Tonight I got caught up watching a television program on TLC that my landlady was watching. Both of the dogs kept paying attention to me - wagging tails, etc. Finally, when the program was over, I stood there talking with* (not really with, more like nodding head and being polite) the landlady.
The larger dog kept staring up at me with her big Beagle eyes, and the hyper one started jumping up on me while wagging her tail. Finally, I managed to get away to the restroom. When I came out, both dogs were laying in front of the door waiting for me. LOL!
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*In case I don't have a chance to read and comment on others blogs until this weekend - I'm working two long days in a row, so may not be able to catch up on blog reading till Saturday afternoon.
I made an impulse purchase today
October 1st, 2009 at 03:42 am
October 1st, 2009 at 08:07 am 1254384457
October 1st, 2009 at 02:03 pm 1254405795
October 1st, 2009 at 02:14 pm 1254406499
Can the guy at the bike shop tell you where a 'lady know your bike' type class is being held? Maybe even there at his shop?
There's always the library - maybe there's a book?
October 1st, 2009 at 03:18 pm 1254410326
Ohhh and I bet there is an online how-to tutorial with vids & everything that you could watch over and over as you go thru the steps...
a google project for sure. I just kept thinking about this so had to come back and post again!
October 1st, 2009 at 03:38 pm 1254411505
I agree with LuxLiving. I know my dad needs to give me some lessons, but in the interim I found a $10 guide on amazon everything about bicycles AND I Was thinking of looking up some how to videos on YouTube as well.
I am not very mechanical at all and often write off this stuff as, "I can't do it." Which is a TERRIBLE attitude. Though it is true - LOL. No, but really, I realize very clearly with recent events that my dad won't be around forever and I can figure some of this stuff out on my own.
The local bike club here also teaches various bike maintenance to new club members. I Was thinking about that too.
October 1st, 2009 at 04:30 pm 1254414625
I'll have to see if the library has a book like that
thanks for the seat rec
October 1st, 2009 at 05:15 pm 1254417329
oooh that first one at bicycletutor.com looks interesting.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 am 1254444461