A bicycle? The pedal-driven, human-powered, single-track vehicle that has two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other? That bicycle?

Never heard of such a thing

ParanoidAndroid said:

heartbeatocean said:

I have a bike in my garage.

I need to get the tire fixed and ride more this year.

I do think it's great exercise-- something I definitely need.

[img:$uid]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/JohnnyCharger1968/Smileys/BicycleRider.gif[/img:$uid]

For years, I subscribed to P.J. O'Rourke's view of women on bicycles...

It is impossible for an adult to sit on a bicycle without looking the fool. There is a type of woman, in particular, who should never assume the bicycling posture. This is the woman of ample proportions. Standing on her own feet she is a figure to admire - classical in her beauty and a symbol, throughout history, of sensuality, maternal virtue, and plenty. Mounted on a bicycle, she is a laughingstock.

But about seven years ago, I bought a bike because I wanted another outdoor form of exercise. Last summer, after years of mostly riding on weekend mornings because I thought the heat would bother me if I rode after work, I discovered that heat isn't really an issue - as long as I pick the right ride. So after some experimentation, I have the perfect 8-mile ride that I can do in 45 minutes whenever I want. North/south rather than east/west (so the sun isn't my eyes either way), on a trail/path that's shaded for a good part of the way, and fairly flat.

I also discovered that I enjoy the ride more if I don't use my bike computer. When I do, I'm constantly checking my speed and feeling bad if I ride too slowly. I'm just too competitive (even with myself). Now, I use a GPS-based app on my phone to track the ride. The phone stays in a little storage thingy that I can't reach while riding, so I can only look at my stats at the end.

I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can get back out there again.

I live in Amsterdam. I would not know what to do without my bike. It's my only means of transportation.

I am grateful that I do not need to own a car.

ParanoidAndroid said:

heartbeatocean said:

Yikes. I imagine that I will be okay, even riding in city streets. I do not wear a helmet.

If I wore a helmet, I'd break my neck because. Never wear a helmet Just kidding

I was sure you (or someone) was going to yell at me about that.

[Edited 3/7/11 17:54pm]

Genesia said:

For years, I subscribed to P.J. O'Rourke's view of women on bicycles...

It is impossible for an adult to sit on a bicycle without looking the fool. There is a type of woman, in particular, who should never assume the bicycling posture. This is the woman of ample proportions. Standing on her own feet she is a figure to admire - classical in her beauty and a symbol, throughout history, of sensuality, maternal virtue, and plenty. Mounted on a bicycle, she is a laughingstock.

But about seven years ago, I bought a bike because I wanted another outdoor form of exercise. Last summer, after years of mostly riding on weekend mornings because I thought the heat would bother me if I rode after work, I discovered that heat isn't really an issue - as long as I pick the right ride. So after some experimentation, I have the perfect 8-mile ride that I can do in 45 minutes whenever I want. North/south rather than east/west (so the sun isn't my eyes either way), on a trail/path that's shaded for a good part of the way, and fairly flat.

I also discovered that I enjoy the ride more if I don't use my bike computer. When I do, I'm constantly checking my speed and feeling bad if I ride too slowly. I'm just too competitive (even with myself). Now, I use a GPS-based app on my phone to track the ride. The phone stays in a little storage thingy that I can't reach while riding, so I can only look at my stats at the end.

I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can get back out there again.

I have not reached that advanced level of biking. I only recently fitted my bike with a rack and taillight.

I bought a really cool bike two years ago and made time to ride it only at the end of this past Autumn. I got just two good rides in before the weather turned cold.

I can't wait to get it back out there this Spring. I need to buy a helmet and a lock, though.

Lammastide said:

i only like riding bikes in bike tracks.... i do have one but have hot used it in years....

i need to get a bike rack and take the kids cause it's so much fun

Timely thread!!!

A buddy of mine suggested that I buy a mountain bike so that I can hit some trails upstate with him over the summer.

I saw some Mongoose brand mountain bikes online, that were reasonably-priced.

I drooled over the $3,000 FERRARI bike for about 30 minutes, but I'm more likely going to get something on the lower end of $200.

Any suggestions for a newbie?

PurpleJedi said:

Timely thread!!!

A buddy of mine suggested that I buy a mountain bike so that I can hit some trails upstate with him over the summer.

I saw some Mongoose brand mountain bikes online, that were reasonably-priced.

I drooled over the $3,000 FERRARI bike for about 30 minutes, but I'm more likely going to get something on the lower end of $200.

Any suggestions for a newbie?

Make sure you ride before you buy.

When I bought my bike, I spent a good couple hours at the Trek store, just riding different models. I thought I'd want something that had a "softer" ride (easier on my old bones), but discovered that I didn't care for the bikes with cushioned suspensions.

In the end, I bought a hybrid bike that was designed more for fitness than "comfort." It's lighter and more nimble, yet works great on both pavement and trails.

It was funny - the salesguy who assisted me in my purchase just kept pulling bikes from the rack for me to ride. As they got more expensive, they kept feeling better. Finally, I stopped him and said, "That's enough. This one feels great - and I'm at the top of my budget. I have to stop now."

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

Timely thread!!!

A buddy of mine suggested that I buy a mountain bike so that I can hit some trails upstate with him over the summer.

I saw some Mongoose brand mountain bikes online, that were reasonably-priced.

I drooled over the $3,000 FERRARI bike for about 30 minutes, but I'm more likely going to get something on the lower end of $200.

Any suggestions for a newbie?

Make sure you ride before you buy.

When I bought my bike, I spent a good couple hours at the Trek store, just riding different models. I thought I'd want something that had a "softer" ride (easier on my old bones), but discovered that I didn't care for the bikes with cushioned suspensions.

In the end, I bought a hybrid bike that was designed more for fitness than "comfort." It's lighter and more nimble, yet works great on both pavement and trails.

It was funny - the salesguy who assisted me in my purchase just kept pulling bikes from the rack for me to ride. As they got more expensive, they kept feeling better. Finally, I stopped him and said, "That's enough. This one feels great - and I'm at the top of my budget. I have to stop now."

So then picking the "coolest-looking" one from the internet is not a good idea?

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

Make sure you ride before you buy.

When I bought my bike, I spent a good couple hours at the Trek store, just riding different models. I thought I'd want something that had a "softer" ride (easier on my old bones), but discovered that I didn't care for the bikes with cushioned suspensions.

In the end, I bought a hybrid bike that was designed more for fitness than "comfort." It's lighter and more nimble, yet works great on both pavement and trails.

It was funny - the salesguy who assisted me in my purchase just kept pulling bikes from the rack for me to ride. As they got more expensive, they kept feeling better. Finally, I stopped him and said, "That's enough. This one feels great - and I'm at the top of my budget. I have to stop now."

So then picking the "coolest-looking" one from the internet is not a good idea?

I wouldn't think so - especially for something like a mountain bike. Those get ridden hard - so it's even more important to be sure it's the right bike for the way you ride.

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

So then picking the "coolest-looking" one from the internet is not a good idea?

I wouldn't think so - especially for something like a mountain bike. Those get ridden hard - so it's even more important to be sure it's the right bike for the way you ride.

OK, thanks!

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

I wouldn't think so - especially for something like a mountain bike. Those get ridden hard - so it's even more important to be sure it's the right bike for the way you ride.

OK, thanks!

Oh - and a word of warning: $200 for a bike (especially something techy like a mountain bike) is very low end. I mean...dangerously low (literally).

I'm not saying you need something super expensive, but don't skimp when it comes to safety. Make sure the frame is made of something that will stand up to the kind of riding you want to do.

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

OK, thanks!

Oh - and a word of warning: $200 for a bike (especially something techy like a mountain bike) is very low end. I mean...dangerously low (literally).

I'm not saying you need something super expensive, but don't skimp when it comes to safety. Make sure the frame is made of something that will stand up to the kind of riding you want to do.

really?

Well...consider that I haven't been on a bicycle since I was in High School (23 years ago)...I don't know what kind of riding I'll actually be doing. I imagined a dirt trail or something (as opposed to an actual rugged mountainside).

Perhaps I need to clarify that with my buddy beforehand, huh?

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

Oh - and a word of warning: $200 for a bike (especially something techy like a mountain bike) is very low end. I mean...dangerously low (literally).

I'm not saying you need something super expensive, but don't skimp when it comes to safety. Make sure the frame is made of something that will stand up to the kind of riding you want to do.

really?

Well...consider that I haven't been on a bicycle since I was in High School (23 years ago)...I don't know what kind of riding I'll actually be doing. I imagined a dirt trail or something (as opposed to an actual rugged mountainside).

Perhaps I need to clarify that with my buddy beforehand, huh?

Yeah...that'd be good.

If you're just doing bike trail/path/street riding, a hybrid bike would be great. Or...you could do what a friend of mine has done in the past and buy a used bike. You can usually get a pretty good deal - and you won't have spent a lot of money before you know whether you actually enjoy cycling - or not.

I like going on long bike rides with my family when the weather is nice. The only downside is that my husband is so fucking competitive when he gets on a bike.. he likes to try to make me race and I can't be bothered with all that crap - i'm getting old!

I have a Dahon Espresso. It folds in half.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v412/funkyfiddler/dahon-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

heartbeatocean said:

I have a Dahon Espresso. It folds in half.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v412/funkyfiddler/dahon-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

I've got a folding bike, too.

Mine is a BMW/Montague, circa 1996 Olympics, and I got it nearly new for a great price on eBay a couple years back.

Mine is a lot like this. But it's all black, with no handlebar extensions, saddlebag or colorful decals...

Genesia said:

For years, I subscribed to P.J. O'Rourke's view of women on bicycles...

It is impossible for an adult to sit on a bicycle without looking the fool. There is a type of woman, in particular, who should never assume the bicycling posture. This is the woman of ample proportions. Standing on her own feet she is a figure to admire - classical in her beauty and a symbol, throughout history, of sensuality, maternal virtue, and plenty. Mounted on a bicycle, she is a laughingstock.

I've loved PJ O'Rourke at times, but when it comes down to it the guy is a dickhead in his thinking. It was funny in the 80s. Now not so much.

Lammastide said:

heartbeatocean said:

I have a Dahon Espresso. It folds in half.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v412/funkyfiddler/dahon-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

I've got a folding bike, too.

Mine is a BMW/Montague, circa 1996 Olympics, and I got it nearly new for a great price on eBay a couple years back.

Mine is a lot like this. But it's all black, with no handlebar extensions, saddlebag or colorful decals...

Far out! The folding aspect comes in handy constantly. Love it.

They annoy me on the road. They want and receive all the right of way a car gets...until they get to a stop light. Then they keep going.

Other than that, they're cool. I liked mountain biking the couple of times I went.