Get a bike and start bike riding

One massive step for me: I have a bike!

Would you be at all surprised to hear that I based my choice of bike in wanting a red one? Seriously there were way too many options in the store and I know zero about bikes to make an otherwise informed decision.

The guys at the shop were very patient and helpful, and didn’t make me feel like a ditz. Even today when I called them saying I can’t move the front gear up. Speaking of which, I better go test out their suggestions just to make sure it is user error and not something wrong with the bike!

Here’s where I went for my first ride yesterday (8km). Such a gorgeous track with great views.

I’m going to keep this goal open until I am into the riding groove. After about 15 rides I need to take the bike back to the shop for a free service. And I want to get a front basket so I can go shopping with it.

I’m excited!!!

And this still hasn’t happened. I’m going bike shopping on Thurs night!!!

I want to do this even more. Bike riding is so much easier (and safer!) down here!!

Got rid of my last car in 93.Been riding a bike regularly since 1990 when my first cars started breaking down.I had to get to work to pay the rent. I rode my bike as a teen all over the city,got spoiled and lazy when I got my drivers license.I wanted to get back in to bike riding but had no motivation until I had to get to work when the cars broke down.I found I could ride in the winter as long as I dress warm,the body heat from pedaling takes care of the rest.My work site is only 2 miles from home but have rode as far as 12 miles to a work site in good weather.It has saved me an extra expense in car payments,insurance and maintenance plus the added benefit of getting regular exercise I can stick with,having to get to work to pay bills is motivation enough.

For a long time now I have wanted to become more active, and implement an exercise routine into my everyday life. I thought about joining a gym, but there isn’t one near me, and I don’t have the time or money to do so. So, I think buying a bike would be a good investment towards better fitness. I’ve always enjoyed biking and it would be much more motivating than dragging myself to a gym, plus I’ll have a riding partner. I am not quite sure how to pick out the right bike for me at a decent price; any pointers are encouraged. I’m 5’3” and 120lbs.

My short term goal is making the purchase and beginning a routine. Long term is to STICK WITH IT!!

To the gym the other morning (not far, only a 5 min ride) and today out to the tennis courts (30 mins there, 20 mins back).

Boy it felt good to be outside on such a gorgeous day!!!

Last night Shaz been enthusing about how much he wants to get a bike as well. So this morning when we were heading out to play tennis I suddenly thought why don’t we get the bikes out of the shed and ride them? So we turned the car around and got the bikes instead.

Great move! It was so much fun.

I know Coles is only 10 mins walk away, but by bike its so much faster. Now if I can just work out the bike lock combo I could use the bike for shopping!!

So there are 2 bikes in the shed out here that we can borrow. I’ve been here a week and haven’t tried them out yet. I will though!

Problem is that everything here is so close that its easy to walk: hospital across the road, kmart and coles is 10 mins away, Woolies and Harris Farm (mmmm) only 15-20min away.

The gym I joined last week is 15-20min away as well, and not a very scenic walk. Riding there could be the go I reckon!!

I already have a bike. Bought it at a yard sale for 20 bucks and only rode it once. As soon as I discovered the amazing bike trails in Gainesville, FL, I had to move to a new city. That one time when I rode my bike I realized I LOVE biking. That was almost a year ago..Why do we procrastinate even the things we like??!

Here in Broken Hill there’s pushbikes we can borrow. Rode out to Woolies and back the other day in 37 degree heat and survived. It was awesome on the wide roads here without much traffic, I even managed to carry back 2 supermarket bags on the handlebars without stacking it!!

Looking forward to being able to do this in Orange next year too hopefully! If they don’t supply them I will definately buy my own there. I’d love to have one with a basket at the front!!!