Buying a Bike

Because of doing the spin class I have met many people who ride on the road. They all talk of the great rides and the comradely  with fellow riders. I have a bike, it's what is called a "hybrid", it's not best for the road and not good as a trail bike. My bike would not work anywhere, with its big giant pink basket on the front and colorful streamers coming from the handle bar grips. So I finally made the decision to purchase a road bike to see what all the hub bub was about.

Last  week I headed down to Maine Sports to purchase a proper road bike. I brought along my old bike and hoped I could trade it in on the new one. They did take my old bike in trade.  They called my bike "the little girls bike".

I did not want to spend loads of money on a new bike as I, in the past, have gone whole hog on a whim and ended up using my 4 thousand dollar treadmill as a clothes hanger.  So I bought a the cheapest Trek road bike, a 1.1.  They gave me 150.00 for my "little girls bike" and I thought that was it, I've got it all now..........but no.

"What if you get a flat."

"I'll call AAA."

"You will need a extra tube and a fix-it kit."..............KERCHING$

"And you'll need a air pump to blow up those tires.".........KERCHING$

"How about a rear view mirror."...............KERCHING$

"How about bike shoes and pedals...........KERCHING$

So yea, the bill is starting to grow.  The shoes I could use in spin class as well and I have been told over the years that it's the way to go. So I got the shoes and I was set.  But nooooooooo

"Do you wan't a a water bottle holder?".............KERCHING$

"Do the seat and wheels come with the bike?"

"Your so funny..... ah let me check."

As I am checking out I ask if the are going to install the pedals to use with the bike shoes.You clip into the pedals with a device on the bottom of the bike shoe so you don't have to use the straps.  The women who is checking me out said that I should get use to shifting the gears for a while before I use the new pedals and shoes.

I have heard stories of riders who have come to a stop and could not get their bike shoes unhinged from the pedals and have fallen over.  And the clerk even told me that it will happen to me along the way.  Great something to look forward to.  So I will stick with the straps on the pedals for a while.

I ride the bike home with out a problem.  This road bike is so much better than the "little girls bike" that I had.  It's easier to pedal it really light and shifts like a dream.

I could not really ride the bike after I got it home as the weather has not been co-operating. But two days ago I decided to go for a little ride. So off I go for a couple of miles on a great bright and sunny day. I'm feeling good on my new ride and everything is working great. I finished in front of our garage and was slowing down to get off when all of a sudden I was on the ground with the bike on top of me.  I had forgotten to take my feet out of the pedal straps and just fell over,Laugh In style (Only people of a certain age will get the Laugh In reference) .

(Note to self think about getting out of pedals before you stop. Also try to stop close to soft things....grass....hey bales.......mattresses....boxes of cotton balls)

This bike thing could be fun or it could really hurt me, stay tuned.