Python
09-17-2006, 08:18 AM
Hello. I'm new to this forum.
After not being on a bike for well over 25 years, I've just bought one:D
We have a local market and hubby and I went up there today. There is a stall that sells second-hand bikes and I spotted a ladies racer. It had a fairly small frame which suited my short legs and was only £25:eek: It is a Raleigh. It is very lightweight, needs a bit of a clean-up and the gears aren't working (Derailleur) but is probably the cable needing adjustment. Everything else on the bike is fine. I was undecided so the chap selling it said £20. Still undecided. Meanwhile hubby is looking on in amusement. Although I used to ride a bike in my younger day I'd never ridden a racer before. Eventually, the chap says £18. Well, that's an offer I couldn't refuse, so I am now the proud owner of the racer:D
The only way to get it home (just under 3 miles) was to ride it as it wouldn't fit in the car - so I did. Hubby arrived home 5 minutes before I did.
I was very surprised at how well it went - and how easy it is to ride. I rode my son's bike (a mountain bike) last week and only went round the block, less than half a mile and was completely shattered when I came back, out of breath and legs like jelly. With this bike, I wasn't even out of breath and barely warm. It's probably the nicest bike I've ever ridden - and I've ridden a few in my time:D
Hubby changed his job recently and now uses the family car more than I do. I didn't want to get another car because of the ever increasing costs of running a car so the bike is an ideal solution. I'm quite lucky where we live as we have quite a few cycle routes and a lot of cycle paths plus use of the bus lanes.
The only snag is, where I live, if I go into town it's downhill all the way...and uphill all the way back:rolleyes:
Anyway, I'm feeling really pleased with myself and my bike and think bike and me are going to have a long and happy relationship:cool:
After not being on a bike for well over 25 years, I've just bought one:D
We have a local market and hubby and I went up there today. There is a stall that sells second-hand bikes and I spotted a ladies racer. It had a fairly small frame which suited my short legs and was only £25:eek: It is a Raleigh. It is very lightweight, needs a bit of a clean-up and the gears aren't working (Derailleur) but is probably the cable needing adjustment. Everything else on the bike is fine. I was undecided so the chap selling it said £20. Still undecided. Meanwhile hubby is looking on in amusement. Although I used to ride a bike in my younger day I'd never ridden a racer before. Eventually, the chap says £18. Well, that's an offer I couldn't refuse, so I am now the proud owner of the racer:D
The only way to get it home (just under 3 miles) was to ride it as it wouldn't fit in the car - so I did. Hubby arrived home 5 minutes before I did.
I was very surprised at how well it went - and how easy it is to ride. I rode my son's bike (a mountain bike) last week and only went round the block, less than half a mile and was completely shattered when I came back, out of breath and legs like jelly. With this bike, I wasn't even out of breath and barely warm. It's probably the nicest bike I've ever ridden - and I've ridden a few in my time:D
Hubby changed his job recently and now uses the family car more than I do. I didn't want to get another car because of the ever increasing costs of running a car so the bike is an ideal solution. I'm quite lucky where we live as we have quite a few cycle routes and a lot of cycle paths plus use of the bus lanes.
The only snag is, where I live, if I go into town it's downhill all the way...and uphill all the way back:rolleyes:
Anyway, I'm feeling really pleased with myself and my bike and think bike and me are going to have a long and happy relationship:cool: