Embracing Spring & My New Bicycling Ways

 

It's official, I'm now a bike commuting girl. I have happily been a bus commuting girl for the past three years. I rarely miss my faithful old Honda (emphasis on old) because I'm fortunate enough to live in a city with a great bus system (check out Long Beach Transit). I will certainly still ride the bus, but I have been longing for a bike for about a year now. That's me above during the holiday season on a vintage bike provided so generously by Bernard of Cyclone Coasters. After that vintage inspired holiday bike ride I was more convinced than ever, I was ready for a bike.

So the research began. What kind of bike did I want? Opinions came fast and furious, and then the perfect option became available while I pondered. About a month ago my sister in law Beth loaned me a vintage inspired cruiser given to her by a friend who just doesn't feel cycling fits into her life right now. The weekend before last our city's "Mobility Coordinator" Charlie Gandy was kind enough to give me some coaching on the proper seat and handle bar height depending on your own height (note: pedals that are too short cause early fatigue) and off we went to check out the Fixie challenge at Bixby Park.

Last week I rode my new turquoise cruiser down to Jones Bicycles (celebrating 100 years of serving Long Beach - imagine, the company is about as old as popular cycling itself) and got it all properly decked out. The staff was great, very helpful, full of advice I needed, and in about 1/2 an hour my bike was properly outfitted to a) cart a bunch of stuff around like groceries and b) safe to ride at night (note: good tail light even more important than front light).

Here it is complete with matching water cannister from Border's and my new back rack and collapsible folding baskets!