Lana and I bought bikes today. I like to describe them as old people bikes. They're "Huffy's," with big, cushiony seats, high handlebars, and no gear shifts. We also bought some accessories.
We first went to a specialty bike store to look at bikes. They had them, but they didn't have one to fit Lana, and even the old folks bikes ran between 330 and 550 bucks each. Their specialty bikes generally ran over 2 grand. We'd not planned on spending that much so we broke down and went to one of those discount stores where we got our two Huffys, an air pump, two locks, a basket for Lana's cameras, and an all in one tool set for less than 300 total. I like to support independent stores, but we probably saved 700 dollars and that's not exactly chump change to me.
Anyway, we're looking forward to our first ride this evening, and the weather is perfect for it here today.
In reading news, I'm reading and enjoying three of the Chuck Norris "fact" books by Ian Spector. I've seen this stuff around but when Borders had their going out of business sale I picked 'em up fairly cheaply and they are pretty funny.
I'm also reading two fine works by blog colleagues, "Resonance" by Avery Debow, and "The Ravening" by Stewart Sternberg. I'll have reviews of those up when I'm finished. I'm certainly enjoying so far.
Nuff said. Let's go ride.
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Are you going to be able to keep up with Lana as you ride that three wheeled bike? Ya know they are a little heavier. But one benefit unless you get really crazed and try to corner at 25 miles an hour you will never tip yours over.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the embarrassment of falling over on a tricycle? Don't forget to wear Aloha shirts and shorts that come up to your chest when riding. That is the old guys uniform for feeling the wind in your face. hahahahahahahaaha
Avery is making it awful hard for me not to get a Kindle...is there any place to buy one except over the internet?
My first bike was a pre-owned Huffy. I loved that damn thing. It had this seat on it that was easily five inches thick. Huffy is the master of cushiony rides.
ReplyDeleteI need to get my copy of The Ravening. I deeply respect Stewart's talent as a writer.
Walking Man -- I exist only in the technological ether, so that is also my novel's current dwelling place. Maybe someday I'll get some hard copies printed. If so, you'll have book #1, just for your determination. Love it!
I admire your gumption. I'm good if I even get on my stationary bike. Back in the day, I had a VHS tape of biking around one of the Hawaiian islands while I watched and pedaled along. Problem is, biking takes away from my reading time. Guess I should look into audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say i am scared of ridng a bike. In my teen days my parents keeped talking about accidents and.. well, the rest is history. islike be afraid of high places.
ReplyDeleteI know if you behave with precaution and all that... But still i'm afraid.
Oh, about facts, i know one:
"They say Mr. Gramlich is so awesome, when he wrote the talera books he was in fact writing his own biography"
Happy riding to you both.
ReplyDeleteCharles, tell Mark to f the f off! Those bikes are perfect for your needs unless you are planning a Lance Armstrong any time soon. Did you know that the boogeyman checks under HIS bed for Chuck Norris? Dude is baaaaaaadd!
ReplyDeleteMark, I honestly considered a "trike," but eventually gave in to my vanity and got a two-wheeler. From what I understand, Best buy will soon be selling Kindles, if they aren't already. I bought mine through the net though and didn't have any problems.
ReplyDeleteAvDB, I took my first long distance ride today, about half a mile maybe, and the seat was nice, although my legs are hurting and I find myself uncomfortably damp with some wetness that worked it's way out of my pores. Not sure what you call the stuff.
Ron, hey, that's an idea. Maybe I can hook my kindle up on my bike somehow and let it read to me.
Deka, I don't plan to get on any busy roads for sure. I learned that lesson riding motorcycles and bicycles would be even worse. That thing you heard about the Talera books is absolutely true. I promise. :)
Travis, thankee, man.
Jodi, I was going to tell Mark that I decided to get a two-wheeler after I realized I wasn't as old as him! But you know how sensitive those old guys can be! yes, I just read that about Chuck Norris. Seriously, read that one today!
wunderbra!
ReplyDeletehelmets are mandatory here, so i have one... just no time to go biking... yet... nor do i feel like it in cold/snow :(
it's a raleigh, mb... el cheapo, like me!
Then i have to thank my source! About busy roads... "Busy Roads" can be a good title. Hmmm i got a idea!
ReplyDeleteI can picture your Huffys. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to riding with you, baby. Once I remember how to ride a bike again, of course. *L*
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for fun. I never learned how to ride a bike and my balance is notoriously bad, but I like the idea for others.
ReplyDeleteLaughingwolf, I don't believe helmets are mandatory here. I'll have to check it out to see.
ReplyDeleteDeka Black, sounds good.
Travis Cody, I'm sure we'll be cute together.
Lana Gramlich, it came back to me pretty quickly. but I bet my legs are sore tomorrow.
Carole, my balance is certainly not what it used to be.
What fun! Wish I could still ride a bike--too old, weak, fat and lazy. :) Hey, we want pictures!
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious for your review of The Ravening-I still wanna get a copy.
ReplyDeleteOoooo, I used to have Huffy mountain bike and I loved it. Wrapped it around a deer while barreling down a hill and that was the end of the bike, and almost of me. Still wish I had that bike.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the deer was fine. She blinked at me while I sat up from 10 feet away and pulled off my helmet.
Jess, I'm sure Lana will be taking some pics as we get them broken in. I'll post them then.
ReplyDeleteDavid J. West, I'm about 5 pages from the end. Will be finishing it tonight I imagine.
Ty Johnston, I take it the bike the deer was riding was OK? :)
I love those Huffy bikes. And in Michigan, there are no hills so they are perfect. Although there is also no good place to ride a bike.
ReplyDeleteToo hilly around here, and by that I mean 3-degree grades to negotiate. I bought roller blades about 10 years ago and lasted about five minutes.
ReplyDeleteBe careful getting accustomed to biking again. Falling off ain't the same as when you were thirteen. :)
ReplyDeleteHey nifty-fifty -- enjoy the ride!
ReplyDeletePattinase, no hills here either so that is good. And we have a great bike trail only a couple of miles away from us.
ReplyDeleteCap, where I grew up in Arkansas is was hilly too and not much chance to really ride. Here we've got it right though.
Bernardl, one reason I gave up on motorcycles. Each time I got hit it got harder and harder to recover.
Erik, we're looking forward to this weekend.
I spent so much time on a bicycle during my childhood. Those were good times. The bad times were when I fell off. I have a speck of gravel in my knee to this day from a particularly bad wreck. The good far outweighed the bad since I wasn't very clumsy on my bike.
ReplyDeleteY'all just be careful!! (says Momma Jen)
Even if you do say its old ppl bikes still sounds blissful to be, plus you saved....whoohoo:)
ReplyDeleteI havent read anything in ages....or write for that matter. Enjoy reading....and ill come check the rewievs, love Steward's work. Anyways keep those bums on the bikes:)
I love going out and about on my bike. It's not quite the weather for it here at the moment, so I'm making do with my exercise bike to keep me fit until the nicer bike-riding days arrive...shouldn't be too long now, fingers crossed. Enjoy yours.
ReplyDeleteCharles,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the bikes! hope y'all have fun.
The Borders down here in my neck of the woods isn't closing...at least not yet.
jennifer, I actually didn't have a bike when I was a kid. There was one that was handed down through several of my older siblings but by the time it got to me it wasn't really rideable.
ReplyDeleteetain_lavena, I'm still doing quite a lot of reading and writing and enjoying it. maybe now I'll get some exercise too.
Akasha Savage, I'm hoping to get out a lot this weekend.
Scott, good to hear. We still have Barnes & Noble at the moment, though I don't know if that will last.
Bikes are pretty pricey here in NZ too-- one consequence of living on an island where most things are imported. I got mine cheap from a campervan (that's an RV for you Yanks) rental company when they updated their bike fleet... :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Avery's book certainly is fun-- I've got an interview with her up on my blog today!!
Rubber side down, you two!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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In warmer weather, I'll often ride to my office (3.5 miles one way, with two nice hills). Enjoy the bikes. Right now, there is still too much ice aroud here to ride.
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with a comfortable bike Charles? You don't want to feel like you're sitting on a fence, enjoy the ride both of you.
ReplyDeleteSteve Malley, I enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDeleteCloudia, good advice. we will try!
sage, weather is already mostly warm enough to ride. Later it'll be too hot.
Richard Godwin, I found out today after a nice long ride that the padding was very very important. :)
Riding is always better than walking.
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