Aug 28, 2012

A new ride

I haven't owned or ridden a bike since I was maybe 13 years old. On Sunday, I test-rode a bike that was far too big on me on the streets of Soho. Where there are no bike lanes. Where there are hordes of people. Where the side streets are super narrow. Yeah, it was harrowing. When I told the bike shop people I hadn't ridden a bike in over a decade, someone was sent to accompany me on my test ride. Poor guy had to deal with me nearly falling off the bike every time I had to stop. Towards the end, I was like, "Erm, can we just walk the bikes back?"

I ended up getting a smaller bike than the one I test-rode. And even still, I am on tiptoes when sitting down with the seat at its lowest. Cursing my short legs. While I don't think I'll be dodging street traffic any time soon, I will be riding up and down the east and west side when I can. Because riding on the streets still kinda scares me shitless. And then I'll slowly try to ease my way into the calmer streets with bike lanes. We'll see.



But really, how cute is she!

(I've got myself a hideous helmet - don't worry.)

23 comments :

  1. i love your bike! it is cute. (:

    ReplyDelete
  2. What about "Sabrina" :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. She is darling. I was just telling Cory the other day that I am in need of a new bike. There are so many great trails around us, I want to properly take advantage of them. The bikers in Portland are CRAZY. Like, seriously diehard about biking. Like you, I'm a bit too timid for city biking. Knowing my luck I would run over a puppy or get hit by a cement truck...

    ReplyDelete
  4. i like her and i love the basket in the front. it will definitely come in handy. have fun and be careful!

    leyla.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an adorable bike, I love it! And I can't wait to hear her name. =) Bikes are fun, no?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I test rode that very same bike, also after not having ridden a bike in a decade. Also harrowing. I lost a flip-flop in the middle of an intersection. :) It's super cute; have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. haha! that's a hilarious story! you'll get really good at riding bike in no time. i went to a college that was predominantly a biking town. i ended up learning how to ride without my hands in a couple of months and i was so proud :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, she is soooo adorable! Congrats on the new bike! And being on your tiptoes is actually kind of a good thing. You don't want your bike to be too small or else you'll ruin your knees -- your legs should fully extend when you down-pedal.

    I gotta say, though... You have WAY more guts than me. I won't even ride my bike in downtown Portland!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aww...I love white coloured bikes and it has a basket? Perfect to store a cute bag! =)

    http://tseparfait.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Linus bikes in general seem like a pretty great sort of entry-level bike for daily use, and they are very nice looking. I hope it works out great for you! I started off in 2008 getting a bike assuming I'd just ride it around on weekends here and there, and it's led to my wife and I both getting bikes and selling our car. Of course, that doesn't mean that everyone has to ride their bike everywhere, and Portland is a lot different than NYC, but it can really be a great way to get around for certain things. Just enough faster than walking to be more convenient, without being so fast that it's stressful (I find driving a bit stressful). Just take it easy to begin with, and don't give yourself expectations of being a 'hardcore' cyclist - do what you're comfortable with. Get off and walk if you need to. It's just a tool to get you somewhere, and if it's not the best tool all the time, that's fine :)

    Happy riding!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amazing! I hear you about biking in NYC though. I fear for my life.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Haha congrats on the new ride, Alice! I like the style of it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh gosh...I'm not so sure I'd be brave enough to try riding a bike in manhattan, even with some practise. But your bike is so wonderfully cute. It must be fun deciding what to put in the basket.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations :) I'm a big coward when it comes to cycling, but so far it's the best way of commuting. At first I think I was cycling slower than some pedestrians walk, but now I'm decent enough. So I'm sure very soon you will be queen of the NY streets.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is the prettiest bike I have ever seen! I haven't been on one in years - pretty sure I would be falling off too :) I love your blog by the way!
    Jennelise

    ReplyDelete
  16. the bike is lovely. good luck with getting more confident with it!
    I'm not sure I even learned to ride properly but it seems like fun.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The hubs is mad about cycling whereas I'm always a nervous wreck when I'm on top of one. Same reason as yours. My legs are too short and I'm pedaling on my tippy toes.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful bicycle!!! I know what you mean ... I rode a bike last summer for the first time since I don't know when. I felt so uncoordinated and awkward. But I got the hang of it quickly. It was at the beach before it got crowded, so riding in the street wasn't an issue. And we rode without helmets! So daring, am I.
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love love love. I've had a bike on my wishlist all year. A goal for 2013! I'm in the same boat as you. Rode a bike ONCE in the past decade. West Side Highway it is :) And hideous helmets all the way.

    ReplyDelete