I LOVE my new bike!!! If you remember, I hadn't actually seen it or tried it out in person -- the shop had to special-order it. So I still had an image of my husband's old Schwinn with the high performance tires on it that made me wobble and feel like I'd break them.
Not this puppy! Big, thick tires. Shock-absorbing seat. Gel-padded saddle. Oh-my-god 21 gears!!! (Who in the WORLD uses 21 gears??)
I felt so silly in my brand-new bike helmet, looking at the bike, knowing I was gonna have to swing my fat old leg up over behind. But it was much easier than I expected. Once on the bike, I took a moment to settle myself.
Then I was off!
What a difference!!! Like night and day. When I tried that old Schwinn a few months ago, I couldn't make it up the gentle hill on our block. I had to stop haflway up, feeling like my heart would burst. But with this baby in low gear I could do it! Slowly, still struggling a bit. But I didn't have to stop. And I sailed around the rest of the block without a problem at all.
So I decided to venture out of my one-block circle and into the neighborhood at large. I vaguely remembered my bike hand signals from my far-distant youth (they DID have bikes in the Jurassic Period, didn't they?), and headed out of my comfort zone.
Wow...
I rode down to the elementary school about five blocks away, and was feeling good. This was as far as I'd walked in the five years we've lived here. I figured now was as good a time as any to explore the road beside it. It curved around, suburban houses and townhouses dotting along the street, cul-de-sacs and other streets branching off it. I FLEW down one long street (liberally applying the hand brakes the whole way). It seemed like everywhere I looked was another little hidden street and mini-neighborhood that I had had NO idea was even there! Amazing!
Then I realized that I needed to head back. I was all over sweat, and my heart was pounding strongly, but not overly so. But of course, since I did so much flying to get there... I had to peddle MUCH harder to return. I ended up checking out almost every one of those 21 gears.
I never did find the gear that would turn the motor on and drive me home effortlessly. *laughs* But even though I had to stop a couple times on the way home -- once for a good five minutes until my heart was going at a normal rate -- I made it home safe and sound, and completely, utterly exhilerated.
I biked for 45 minutes. I had NO idea I would be out so long. I had expected maybe 20 minutes tops. But it was so much fun, even with my big ol' belly in the way at times. I got home, drank down a glass of water, then sat for a few minutes watching the news while I drank half of another. When I started feeling fairly normal again, I stretched my legs and arms out, then jumped in the shower. Boy, did THAT feel good!
And today, I'm barely saddle sore. That fancy gel-saddle is a lot easier on the bottom than those old seats I used to use.
Anyway, on to specifics. It's a Trek "comfort" bike -- the Navigator 50 http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/...avigator50.jsp
The tires are nice and thick and supportive. It's a "sit up" bike rather than a "lean forward and race" bike. It's a woman's bike, so the frame was actually small enough for me (we had to get the 14.5 size. I'm 5'3")
Things I didn't think about: It didn't come with a kickstand, but my husband was thoughtful enough to buy one for me before bringing it home. Because he brought it home rather than me being there, the shop didn't get a chance to adjust the seat specifically for me. I need to make the seat a bit higher (easily done on this baby) so my legs can extend almost fully. By MD law, I need a bell on it, and a light if I'm going to be out after dark. I'd like some sort of carrying thing -- I wore a backpack-style purse for my wallet and keys, but it would be nice to have a basket or something. And I'm definitely wanting a water bottle carrier. I may also look into a rear-view mirror and an odometer so I know how far I've gone. But those aren't as important.
I am SO glad I didn't wait until I got down to 250 pounds, which is what I had originally considered. I want to be able to use it now, with my family, and enjoy the lovely fall weather.