Five years by bike

[emeraldsedai]

It's been five years since I got the sudden wild idea to buy a bike. Since then I've lost 65 pounds, sold my car, reduced my transportation expenses to $75 a month, let my driver's license lapse, and, in a not-entirely-unrelated development, retired1.

Comments

[harrigan]

Brava!

[emeraldsedai]

::bows::

[roxymissrose]

I remember Clyde!

Look at you! Such changes! You are still my hero. ♥

[emeraldsedai]

Aww, naw. But thanks. And I adore your Sam and Dean on a tandem icon. <3

[helenajust]

How interesting! What started you thinking about getting a bike in the first place, do you remember? And what is it about a Dutch bike which makes it special?

I'm so impressed with all you've achieved over five years.

[emeraldsedai]

My younger sister has been an avid cyclist (of the touring, racing, and group-riding type) for many years. With her support and encouragement, I eventually took the leap. Riding for transportation in the city required some skills that tooling around the neighborhood as a kid didn't impart. She helped with all that

[helenajust]

Wow! I had no idea; I thought it was just an upright frame. Would I be right in thinking it's a bit heavy for hills?

[emeraldsedai]

It's a heavy bike, to be sure. The gearing is excellent, and I can get up the hills in low, but it's probably not the bike for a truly hilly environment. If I lived in a really hilly place, I'd opt for a similar bike but with electric assist. The utility features that are important to me add weight, and I'm not likely to find everything I need in a fast, lightweight bike.

[decemberleaf]

Love this story!!

[emeraldsedai]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[layne67]

I was going to say that I'd LOVE to start biking but our weather - blazing hot, up to 40 to 45C midday with more than 80% humidity and random thunderstorms any time of the day - but then you had rode in rain, sleet, snow, ice and heat so no excuse there, yeah? :)

Go you and go Eleanor!!

[emeraldsedai]

I certainly couldn't ride in your climate--not without a long period of adjustment! Riding a bike makes its own breeze, but there's a point where the "wind chill factor" just isn't enough. That said, people do ride in tropical and equatorial zones. I've seen pictures. :D I admire them.

My favorite weather for riding is when it's super cold and not too windy. Because riding a bike also generates its own heat.