Choosing a new bike
Posted under parenting, Witterings
This is not a post I ever thought I would write. But necessity means I must buy a new bike. When I say ‘new’ I mean I must replace the bike I bought when I was 18 (bought with the profits of selling my scooter, weep) which I rode about twice (both times clad head to foot in Laura Ashley) before giving it away in 2003 when I moved in with MrSpud. It was a Raleigh. It was pink. It had white wall tyres. It had a white wire basket on the front. MrSpud was embarrassed by it, but his ‘cool’ Shorditch mates thought it was ironic. How little they knew me, ho ho. It wasn’t an ironic statement…it was just totally uncool.
I think we can safely say I am not a passionate bike rider. I blame my parents. Well of COURSE I blame my parents, that’s what parents are for surely? My Dad ‘taught’ me to ride my bike when I was 3 by taking off my stabilisers and repeatedly pushing me down the hill in our garden until I ‘got it’. Harumph.
So, I don’t own a bike. But needs must. I have two bike riding pre-schoolers and I can no longer keep up with them in the forest by ‘jogging’ (think: shambling along and gasping for breath like a committed smoker). I need a bike so I can keep up. Although I’m not sure what I do when one or other refuses to cycle anymore since, currently, that involves me carrying either a child or a bike (and frequently both) miles back to the car. Woe is me.
MrSpud, a very keen cyclist, has all manner of ideas of some kind of ‘hybrid’ bike for me (d’ya see how I’m getting the lingo?). He’s thinking this, a Trek Allant. Kind of cool? Apparently I needn’t limit myself to girls’ bikes. There’s no reason why I can’t ride a ‘male’ bike as long as I’m prepared to get my leg over further, as it were ….ahem.
This is EXCELLENT news. As what I really want is a Pashley bike. Oh swoon…vintage styling…handmade loveliness thou shalt be mine. Pretty much all of their ‘contemporary’ bikes should be in my garage, but I’m quite taken with the Tube Rider – Double Scoop. Add a Leather Handle Bar Bag at a cost of £195.00 (getting on for half the price of the bike) and I’m all set.
Kind of dreamy huh? Although possibly the charm of its pastel loveliness might wear off. It’s a pity of terrified of traffic otherwise I’d be ordering it tomorrow. But, alas, the Pashley loveliness isn’t going to cut it in the forest. That’s only an out an about on the road kind of bike. Hmm. So what I need is TWO bikes. All of a sudden I’ve gone from zero bikes to needing TWO bikes. One for the forest and one for the road (although, sshhh, isn’t that what cars are for?).
But it’s OK. MrSpud (currently owner of 3 bikes, one about to be sold to be replace by …er…another bike apparently) has admitted he’s a FIVE bike bloke. Erm, racing bike, road bike, mountain bike….and two other bikes that I can’t remember since I’d glazed over at that point. He definitely wants yay NEEDS a Pashley too. Apparently we will dress up in vintage clothing, smoke gigantic pipes and grow vast moustaches (even me) and then potter around Suffolk on our his ‘n’ her Pashleys.
Who cares what bikes he wants though. The point is this: his five bikes equals my TINY two bikes plus pricey camera equipment. Plus, bonus, my camera kit actually EARNS money through client work. Score! I win, as ever, I win.
I’m a bit cross about spoiling the look of the lovely Pashley with a helmet though. It will detract rather from its ‘Brideshead’ elegance, no? Although possibly my big, fat, gurning, sweaty face will detract more…
I haven’t actually ridden a bike since 1990 but I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’ll be like, er, riding a bike. Won’t it?
Dying laughing here. Really. I have to leave and go pee. I’ll be back in a minute.
OK… I’m back. I have a question. Just one and it’s a serious one.
How on Earth did you marry a cyclist, birth two boys, and wait this long to need a bike?? Just wondering.
I can’t imagine a life without my bike and I love it.
Since you don’t have these tender feelings, why don’t you sent mr. Spud on the biketour with the kids. I’m pretty sure you can find another, more pleasureable way to spend your time.
Oh, I know why!!!! You are afraid you will end up with three bike-maniacs!!!! (SMILE)
I bought a bike last year…..rode it once since. I go out into the garage periodically and look longingly at it as if that would be enough for me to benefit from her pedals and tires…..I keep saying I’m going to ride her….I even blogged about her when I bought her. Poor little bike, so ignored.
[...] blogged about wanting a bike a few weeks back and I thought a sensible first step would be to check that I can, in fact, still [...]
You are going to have a great time with the bike, serioulsy, i bought one last year by some pressure of some friends that ride every saturday.
I was kinda skeptical, but after a while I feel like always waiting for the saturday morning to arrive.
You´re going to love it, at least ido, hehe