I did it. I am officially part of the bike movement in Glasgow. I am new to the biking world and I wanted to share my newbie experiences with all my peeps. Here's the scoop....
It all started several months ago when my neighbors Billy Ray and Dr. Travis could be seen riding around Glasgow to and from work and taking Sunday morning rides. I became curious, as I am always looking for a new adventure, the gears started to turn in my head. Would biking be something I might enjoy?
I used to ride a bike all the time as a kid, but after several major accidents,which involved blood and stitches, I kinda gave up the sport. Did I really want to pick it back up? After all, I'm not really into fast moving vehicles and I'm certainly opposed to blood and stitches. But my sense of adventure would not be quieted. Not to mention the fact that gas is currently $3.57 a gallon and I'm about sixty pounds overweight ....so, I did my Mary math(not to be used in accounting or any other class for that matter) and that equalled I should indeed buy a bike to ride for fitness, to save money on gas, to protest foreign oil, to ride to work, save the planet AND lose sixty pounds in the process! (also known as Mary Logic, which has been known to get me into trouble on occasion)
Being the savvy consumer that I am, I did all the appropriate research on bicycles via the Internet and consumers report. Then I promptly went to Howard's Cycle Shop in Bowling Green(thanks for the referral, Billy Ray) and let them know exactly what I wanted. The young man was very helpful and showed me several possible matches for my needs.
I knew what I didn't want. I did not want a "Corvette" bike. I'm old. I'm not into sports cars or sports bikes. I wanted something along the lines of a "Lexus"bike. Comfort, not speed, was a requirement. I will not be racing anyone. I will not ride a bike that has my center of gravity somewhere in the clouds, with my back all hunched over, not for me, thanks.(no offence road guys)
Then the nice young man at Howard's brought out a beautiful, retro-style, baby blue honey of a darling bike appropriately named "Jenny". It was love at first sight!
It had all the things I wanted;Low center of gravity, handle bars I could reach, a seat that fit and my feet could touch the ground(very important when you are five feet tall) and to top it all it is a Schwinn MADE IN THE USA! How cool is that? Goes along completely with my logic...what's a girl to do?
I proceeded to make a dent in the old checkbook(don't want the nursing home to get it, right?). Completed the transaction with a new helmet and bike lock.(with gas at almost $4 a gallon bikes will be a hot commodity...just a prediction)Tossed "Jenny" in the mini van and set off for Glasgow.
My knees were literally shaking when I pulled "Jenny" out of the mini van. Could I even remember HOW to ride a bike? I, however am not easily subdued. I strapped on my helmet, jumped on ol' "Jenny" and away we went....and it was...well, you know, just like riding a bike :)
