Goodbye January and February, hello spring and bike riding season
I splurged and bought a new bicycle last weekend, for myself.
I didn’t need a new bike but I wanted a new one nonetheless.
It was time for a change. I’m a man with no hobbies and few toys. My old bike was only about five years old. I wanted an upgrade because I figured an investment in a new bike will keep me motivated to ride often this spring, summer and fall.
Bicycling is painless exercise. At age 60, running hurts my knees, feet and back. I get bored walking. Plus, I feel weird walking fast in my neighborhood, swiveling my hands, hips and arms so everyone knows I’m either a serious walker or I’m on an emergency path to the bathroom. You know that walk. Just get out of my way!
I like riding on the paved bike trails in St. Clair County and Madison County. I don’t have to worry about distracted drivers. Or rednecks in their trucks on a country road who swerve to see an old guy on a new bike jump into the ditch.
Like everything else in life, bike shopping isn’t as simple as it once was.
You have to do your homework. There are many brands, styles, prices, sizes and options. You can invest as much money on a new bike as you would on a used car. Yes, I spent more cash on my new bike than I spent on that 1968 Ford Galaxy in the late 1970s. That car was a piece of junk. In hindsight, I would have been safer, and warmer, on a bike.
Buying a new bike made me remember some of my favorite, all-time bikes.
My favorite was a Raleigh Chopper I got for Christmas when I was in fourth grade. It had the long, rectangular soft seat with about 6 inches of padding. I felt cool on that bike. Except the day I wrecked going down Suicide Hill. Bad news was I cut up my arms and broke my thumb. Good news was the Chopper had only a few scratches and no dents.
That blue Chopper was stolen right out from under me at the old Burger Chef on State Street in East St. Louis. A big kid named Marvin pushed me off the bike and took off on it down State Street. I called home and told my parents. I knew the kid’s name. My dad went to the police station immediately. He came home with my unharmed bike a few hours later. I was thankful and didn’t ask questions.
I outgrew the Chopper and bought a yellow, Schwinn 10-speed. That bike lasted me until I got my driver’s license at age 16. That first 10-speed bike took me everywhere in an era when kids rode bikes and parents didn’t chauffeur us around town.
I have bought a handful of bikes for myself as an adult. I have adjusted to all the advancements and changes in the bicycle world. Most bikes have only hand brakes and not pedal brakes. The nostalgic pedal brakes were cool for skid marks in your driveway or school parking lot. At my age, I’m not concerned about skid marks as I am with the bike stopping when I need stopped.
Obstacles with present-day bikes, ready to hit the trails
One of the biggest challenges with today’s bikes are the small, narrow seats that can cause some discomfort or an occasional rash. I am not an advocate of aging male adults wearing tight Spandex bike pants.
But that pad in the behind is a lifesaver. However, do your family a favor and wear gym shorts over them in public. And wear them only when bike riding and not cutting the grass, washing the car, or walking the dog. It’s creepy. And not a good look.
I’m looking forward to the return to Daylight Saving Time and more sunlight in the evening.
Gladly, I will give up the extra hour of sleep for an extra hour of daylight.
Rejoice — January and February are over!
I’ll be the old guy on the new Trek bike on the bike trails.
I won’t be winning any races but I will always finish the ride I started.
