What got you into biking?

I had a 10 speed when I was a kid but barely rode it, my neighborhood was very hilly and even then didn't want to expend energy ;P.

However, when my dream of moving to Australia came true in February 2010, I wanted a way to get back and forth to work without walking long distances (and not having a car/not knowing public transit), so I bought a bike in the States and brought it with me. That really got me into cycling, although I only did short distances there.

I moved back to the US in August 2010 and have been craving a bike ever since (sold my old bike in Oz), so finally got one at the beginning of last month. And the continuous rain has done nothing to motivate me to get out there. Maybe if there's some sun in August? ;)

I was the last of 5 much older siblings and I wanted a bike for a long time. But we were poor. One day in the 5th grade I came home and my parent had purchased a "boys" used bike which was dark purple with a black banana seat and a lot of big silver handle bars and a rear "slick" racing tire. I LOVED it! It was my excape, my freedom, my entertainment, my adventure to neighborhoods far away from where I was from. At age 13 my older sister had purchased a brand new Schwinn Le Tour 10 speed road bike and didn't like it, so my mother bought it from her for me to have. I rode it to and from school every day for about 6 years! No lights, no fenders, no helmet or waterproof clothes (this was in 1977). I rode that bike until my early 20's when it was stolen. I then bought a used 1960's era Schwinn that weighed a ton and only one speed with coaster brakes. I rode that until I was 25 or so. I got a car so riding was no longer needed for transportation. Three inappropriate (for me) bikes later I now have a 6 month old Trek FX 7.3 WSD and I LOVE it! I've ridden my current bike more in the past 6 months than I rode my last 3 bikes all together. I'm already hankering for a road bike. Riding makes me feel free and alive. It takes me away from everything and I can breathe...and smell...and see with a different clarity. Hard to explain. It's my fun and my adventure.

Heh, this is funny. I thought cycling would be cheaper than joining a gym. I thought I'd buy a $500 used bike and be set forever. :D I know, it can be done, but not by me! I had no idea I'd end up with a bike for every occasion. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

Heh, this is funny. I thought cycling would be cheaper than joining a gym.

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I had the same thought. Oops.:D

My Dad. He immigrated to the US from Italy in 1948.
He was PASSIONATE about bicycling and participated in amateur races at Bell Isle park in Detroit as I was growing up. One of our favorite things to do together was to go bike riding.

Here he is on his beloved racing bike, in 1956.

http://tinyurl.com/6azpqnq

Ciao

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Originally Posted by ciao_bella

My Dad. He immigrated to the US from Italy in 1948.
He was PASSIONATE about bicycling and participated in amateur races at Bell Isle park in Detroit as I was growing up. One of our favorite things to do together was to go bike riding.

Here he is on his beloved racing bike, in 1956.

http://tinyurl.com/6azpqnq

Ciao

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Wow, that's a great picture! And your story brought a tear to my eye.

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

Riding makes me feel free and alive. It takes me away from everything and I can breathe...and smell...and see with a different clarity. Hard to explain. It's my fun and my adventure.

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This is exactly why I keep riding, but why I started is because I needed something physical to do to replace things like waterskiing and excessive golf when I began to have knee problems. I used to be a rider years ago and as a kid, so I knew it would be ok with my knee issues.

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Originally Posted by ciao_bella

My Dad. He immigrated to the US from Italy in 1948.
He was PASSIONATE about bicycling and participated in amateur races at Bell Isle park in Detroit as I was growing up. One of our favorite things to do together was to go bike riding.

Here he is on his beloved racing bike, in 1956.

http://tinyurl.com/6azpqnq

Ciao

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This is so touching, that you got to share such pleasurable outings with your dad. It also struck a nerve because I grew up in Detroit (we moved when I was young) and my mom used to take me to drives around Belle Isle on warm summer evenings. I have very fond and warm memories of that park.