I Want to Ride My Bicycle

January 12, 2009 /

On Friday, we took my bike in for new tires and inner tubes, and while the kind people at the bike shop were fixing up my bike, I drooled over the new, comfy, touring bikes that they had. All shiny and new and pretty. And I’ll admit it, I want one. There are two that I keep going back and forth on, and I’m not sure which one I would buy if I had the money. They’re both by the same company, Electra, and they’re both touring bikes, which means that you sit pretty much upright when you ride, and they have a nice comfy seat. Check them out.  At first I was leaning toward the Blanc et Noir, but now I’m leaning more toward Gypsy.

Electra Gypsy Bike

Electra, Gypsy ~ photo found at Suus Bike Shop ~ check the groovy red spokes!

Electra Blanc et Noir

Electra, Blanc et Noir ~ photo found at Suus Bike Shop ~ check the green tires!

See how prettyful they are? No, they’re not going to win any races. There’s no way I could keep up with Ted when he rides. But then again, I can’t keep up with Ted now. Ted and I are different types of riders. Ted has a road bike, a pretty nice one. He likes to ride on the bike trail, go fast and get his heart rate up, that kind of thing. He has the bike shorts to make the seat more comfortable, and the bike jersey to wick away the sweat. He has the special shoes that clip on to the pedals, because they improve efficiency when you ride. I consider him a serious rider, even though he probably doesn’t, since he doesn’t race or go out as often as that term might suggest.

Me? I’m a casual rider. I don’t really want to wear the biking shorts and jersey, and I don’t really want to go very fast.  I want to ride around on the quiet streets, enjoy the flowers in peoples’ yards, that kind of thing. So I don’t need a serious bike, just one that I enjoy, and gets me where I want to go, if I decide that I want to go anywhere at all.

My Schwinn

This is my current bike.  Look at those lovely new tires!  The guy at the bike shop said it was probably made in the mid 80s. I bought it on Craigslist a few years ago. I like it, but it’s not my ideal. I like that it wasn’t expensive, so I don’t worry too much about it getting stolen. I like having a decent bike (it’s a Schwinn). I wish the seat were wider, and that it had a chain guard to protect my jeans, and a kick stand, all of that stuff. I wish it changed gears more easily than it does. These are all things that can be fixed, but I don’t want to spend the money on them if I’m going to get a new bike. Just getting new tires and tubes was about $80. I wish it didn’t make me lean forward as much as I do, that I was more upright, like a ‘cruiser’ type bike. I don’t think I can fix that on the bike, though perhaps new handlebars might be a step towards that.  But the shape of the frame itself is a bit different…see how the peddles are a bit further forward on the Electras?  Yeah, that changes your posture.

So, the question is, do I really want a new bike or not?  I mean, I’m pretty spoiled, and most things I want, I eventually get.  I wanted an iPod, I got an iPod.  I wanted a dock for my iPod, got it. Wanted a new car, got a new car (though I drove a dying Volvo for almost 10 years first…I’m not saying I get what I want right when I want it…). Wanted a new washer/dryer, got them (again, eventually, after the other one died a long and painful death). Wanted a fancy knife and dutch oven, I got them. You get the idea. If I really, truly want something, I usually get it, whether it’s the kindness of my generous husband, brother, father, or someone else, or if it’s me saving the money myself and buying it.  So, if I really, truly want one of these beautiful bikes, I can get one eventually. I’m thinking the best way would be to put some money aside every pay period, ride the bike I have for now, and see how I feel when I have enough saved for a new bike. If I still want one a lot, then I can buy it.  And look, payday is coming up soon.  I’ll put some away for a bike, and put some towards that huge vet bill for Gen’s eye.  Sigh.

Update:  Amuirin’s comment made me think that perhaps if I got the Gypsy bike, I might want to learn faux French!  Like Bret and Jamaine!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVagbFcSUU[/youtube]

18 Comments

  • amuirin

    January 12, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    I know what you mean about not being a serious rider and enjoying a more leisurely ride.

    I like the look of the top one, though I’m not sure how different they are, functionally. They look similar in shape. I think I like the color, and the old fashioned basket. It’s a shamelessly feminine bike, and you could ride along with your hair in plaits, bouquets of flowers in the basket, waving at the adorable, silly boys who are playing so hard and riding so efficiently.

    Silly boys.

  • J

    January 12, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    Now I have to grow my hair long so I can plait it!

    And you’re right…they’re basically the same bike. And the basket is very easily removable, so I could use it when and if I wanted flowers or a baguette or something like that. 😉

  • joan

    January 12, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    I got a bike from REI for Mother’s Day a few years ago. I admit my husband wanted me to have it more than I wanted it. We average using it twice a year. That’s sad. I did want an iPod and got one right after Christmas. I posted on my blog about my lust for it. Now I want a KitchenAid stand mixer. I bake something on average every other day and feel I deserve better than my hand mixer. I’m holding off for right now.

  • J

    January 12, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    Joan,

    Oh, a stand mixer! I lust for one of those, but in an abstract sort of way, because I have no place for it, and I bake maybe 2x a year. So no, I’ll save my money for a bike. 🙂 But they always look so wonderful on the cooking shows…

  • Ted

    January 12, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    You forgot to mention that you test drove the bike — and you LOVED it! Just like your pony (Sienfeld reference). I think the green bike is the better of the two (in style points).

  • clickmom

    January 12, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    I’m digging the Gypsy. I think you’ll tire of the pattern on the other one. Go for classic, it has longevity. I should know, I live in split level!

  • Anvilcloud

    January 13, 2009 at 5:11 am

    Have you tried those bikes. I tried something similar once and thought I was too upright. With back problems, I found a little lean to be preferable. I’m still fairly upright, not leaned way over.

  • J

    January 13, 2009 at 7:30 am

    Anvilcloud, I did try it on a quick spin, but not long. I wonder how long it takes for the problems to show themselves? For some reason, I would have thought upright would be easier on the back, not harder. Hmmm.

  • Lalapunci

    January 13, 2009 at 8:09 am

    You can raise the “gooseneck” by loosening up the nut on top of the center of handle bar. That will let you sit more upright. You can also buy an adjustable head stock, as they call it, same as a gooseneck, and that will raise the handle bar up above the seat height. I had to buy one for my bike. My neck hurts from bending forward and looking up on my mountain bike. It cost $27. I have a few old Schwinn bikes and restored two of them. They are good bikes. Adjusted right I found they will out perform the cruisers. However, if you have your heart set on a cruiser, go for it.

  • Donna

    January 13, 2009 at 9:04 am

    Yay for you J!!! You got your bike fixed. It’s an awesome bike and Schwinns are very good bikes.

    I love my Trek Comfort Bike. LIke you, it’s more of a ride around town doing things and enjoying life sort of bike more than a race around one. Def won’t win any races – esp with all that metal I’ve got on mine. 🙂 I spotted the Electra on someone elses blog and did go to the bike store thinking I’d want one of those, but they are longer than my Trek and so might not fit on the bike racks at the front of the buses. Since the bike and bus are my only forms of transit, they have to play well together. 🙂

    And I do plait my hair and I have a removable metal basket on the front of mine. Perfect to carry round the farmers market toting all my fresh veggies and bread. Altho i have yet to do it, I SOOOOO want to…it does seem very European, no?

    See you on the trails J!!!!!

  • Auntie Kate

    January 13, 2009 at 10:05 am

    I want one of those touring bikes too! I’d love to be able to ride a bike, but can’t if it involves sitting any way but straight up (blasted hinky back, anyway!). Now I’ll be jonesing for one of those, and the Bike Fairy isn’t coming to my house any time soon!

  • lalunas

    January 14, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    Well, J you have the right attitude to save up and see if you really want a new bike when you have all the $$$$ available. I ride Chee’s bike just like you, in a casual style.
    The french short, the guy with the glasses has some big hands…