YeeHah! Got a Road Bike! (long...)

[latelatebloomer]

Just gotta share with everyone that the Bike Goddess (or rather, her sidekick, Second-Hand Bike Goddess) smiled on me this past week. I've been working hard at spinning & weight work at the gym, and my favorite spin instructor has allowed me to do some training sessions at a private gym where he trains better cyclists - racers, other trainers, etc. (I can imagine their thoughts when I walked in, a penguin amidst gazelles, but I HUNG IN THERE JUST FINE. It took all my courage to show up, though.)
I had carpooled with some riders from my area - I know they really wondered what I was doing there, too - but on the ride home, after seeing that I didn't blow up during this tough session, and hearing how far I've come and how hard I'm working to attain my century goal - a woman offered me a road bike she had outgrown, for a song. A lot of you know that my DH and I are in the arts - ie: scraping by - so I've been praying for a good second hand bike to come forward.
She even brought the bike to the gym the next night for the trainer to look at, and he went over it very carefully and put me on it to check the fit. We were in the lobby of the gym and by that point, all the other riders were gathered around. Finally, he whispered in my ear, "I don't think you can go wrong with this one." SOLD!
So I'm now the owner of a Giant OCR3, already equipped with SPD pedals and a computer. It doesn't even need a tune-up. She's throwing in better tires for me to start on, and some different saddles for me to try. For $200. I couldn't believe it. It's a lovely pearly blue, so I think I will call her The Swallow - after the terrific flyers that come live in my barn every spring. A friend said it was the Universe rewarding me for declaring myself an athlete and pushing past my fears and self-limitations. I think she must be right, because today, a woman at the gym walked up to me and GAVE me a Polar heart-rate monitor. My hub and I have been sharing one for months.
What's next?
Who knows? All I know is I'm doing things I never dreamed of - and you all help me do it. Thanks - and ONWARD!

[tprevost]

WOW, what a great couple of days! I'm so happy for you, please post pictures if you can so we can see "The Swallow"!

Wow... that's all I can say... wow - can't wait to read about your rides!

Tracy

[SadieKate]

That's terrific. I'm so happy for you. The two of you will be flying!

[Running Mommy]

Thats so cool! I love to see people being generous like that!
My first bike was an OCR. I can't remember if it was a two or a three, but it was yellow like a bumble bee. Like this girl, I passed mine on to a good home as well. It was to a girl that was teaching swim lessons at the Y. She really wanted a road bike so she could get into triathlon, so I gave her the OCR. She was SHOCKED! The bike was in near new condition. But I figured I would only get a couple hundred bucks out of her anyway, so why not pay it forward. Good bike Karma in my eyes.
Anyway, ENJOY! And keep your eyes out.. If I ever get around to it I have a bunch of clothes (cycling of course) that I'm going to list on here to send to new homes. I cleaned out my closet and have some brand new stuff that I know I'll never wear. Might as well send it to someone who will. So maybe some of it will work for you. Ya never know!
Ciao!
Denise

[Lise]

What a great story! Thanks for telling us. That kind of hard work--->generosity really lifts my heart. Looking forward to tales of adventure with the Swallow! L.

[Nanci]

Congratulations! It's so nice when bikes go to new homes where they will be loved again.

Nanci

[Trekhawk]

You know my thoughts on your new bike mate - you totally deserve it.

Love the name.

That century dream is getting closer.

Yipee and happy riding from your cyber training partner.

[Brandi]

That is such a cool story! it sounds like everything was ment to be. And being a fellow artist (as well as my dh www.sandscapes.com) i know what you mean by scrapeing by.I needed a new bike and my dh built mine for a really good price. So any place you can save is good. What kind of art do you guys do. I would love to see what it is. You have a barn! I am so jelouse!
You know wat is funny? The swallows have just returned this week. How ironic is that?

[Selkie]

That's terrific about your new bike and I loved reading your story. I know you'll have plenty of memorable rides on the Swallow. ENJOY

[Dianyla]

Wow, this is awesome!! I think the bike donor definitely deserves 5 years without a single flat tire now!

[kaybee]

How cool! Congratulations, and enjoy!