23 August 2007

EZ Rider

I bought my first bike today. Well, the first bike that I have ever bought for myself. I did, of course, have a Schwinn Stingray with a banana seat, a hand-me-down. Though not with the shifter as shown in this picture. What were the Schwinn people THINKING? "Oh, we can have a cool-looking bike and damage children's gender-specific parts in the process?:


But after my pre-teen years, for some reason, I never got a bike. I was more of the walking type, and I was also very afraid of being crushed by cars.

In my 20s, I was deeply involved in cycling, if by "deeply involved" you mean "fantasizing about giving Andy Hampsten massages after Tour de France stages."

How could I not? Look at the gorgeous skinniness of this man:

AND he didn't take part in doping, apparently - another reason to love him. So talented, so cute...ah, Andy, I haven't forgotten...sigh.

In my 30's, my BF Phil built bikes. He also had a gorgeous, lightweight, handmade-by-a-friend tandem that we tried to ride together:

If you have any hidden issues in your relationship, riding a tandem will flush them right out. Power, control, intimacy, how you feel about sticking your nose in someone's sweaty buttcrack for hours at a time...it ain't pretty, my friends.

The other thing that wasn't pretty was that I apparently have the World's Most Sensitive Lady Parts, and I don't mean sensitive in a good way.

A couple hours of riding would leave me literally sobbing, feeling like the Little Mermaid when she was walking on knives. Except I was sitting on them.

So when I bought a bike, I decided to buy one of these:

It looks a bit dorky to ride, but it feels wonderful. I will be sitting on my well-padded butt, not hanging from my super-sensitive chickular area.

I bought it used from an 80-year-old man - who was selling it because he got a new bike. That is a good sign, isn't it?

I can't wait to get out there and ride it this weekend! Woo hoo.

19 comments:

super des said...

Wow. That's possibly the most awesome bike I ever saw. I envy you.

dobbs said...

Cool bike Sue. Enjoy your ride!

Anonymous said...

That is The Awesome. I want one.

Anonymous said...

I love riding bikes, makes me feel eight years old again!

My tires need air. This is the lame reason I haven't ridden all summer.

QT said...

Hanging from the chickular area was always the reason I never liked riding bikes.

That new-fangled one of yours looks AWESOME!!!

Anonymous said...

Cool! Is yours red, too?

I've never been on a tandem bike, but I know what you mean - G and I did 7 hours in a tendem kayak, and I vowed to NEVER DO THAT AGAIN.

Suzanne said...

I'm with Mir. Have a great time tooling around this weekend.

And chickular area? Ha ha ha. I love it.

SUEB0B said...

Jessica - yes, mine is red!

LittlePea said...

Looks fun! And comfortable-not dorky at all. I love my wimpy beach cruiser. I'm not the racing sort so it suits me just fine. I had a Schwinn hand me down too but I don't remember what kind.

Watch out for those cars.

Dawn said...

Points for using the correct Hans Christian Anderson version of Little Mermaid reference....

Points for developing the word "Chickular"

And Points for riding your cool ass red bike.

Count Mockula said...

Yay for recumbent bikes! I always look to see who's on them, like "What do recumbent bike people look like as a whole?"

Anonymous said...

My love affair with the bike (and biker) started with Breaking Away. Except I went for the Dennis Quaid character - the macho guy who was a crappy biker but looked much better in cut-offs.

I've suffered for 30 years on a normal seat. I finally started riding my mom's old cruiser bike with the big squishy seat and now my 'gina is doing a happy dance. TMI. Sorry.

LoriHC said...

I have that sensitive-and-not-in-a-good-way ladyparts problem, too. I got a seat that I think is called "chubby cheeks", and it helps a lot. It basically puts two cushy lumps right under your sit bones, and leaves a gap where a banana seat would apply undue pressure. I hadn't thought much about the recumbent option, though; I should look into that!

ByJane said...

do report on how and where you're riding...

Average Jane said...

I'm am going to immediately add the term "chickular area" to my vocabulary.

One Scrappy Gal said...

Refresh my memory...when did Ariel walk on knives? I must have missed that part of the movie!!

Love the new bike!! I have sensitive lady parts too so I can relate! :)

SUEB0B said...

One Scrappy Gal - the real Little Mermaid story is far uglier than the Disney version. Complete with cutting out of tongue, walking on knives, marriage to another woman and an offer to murder the prince! Check it out on Wikipedia.

BetteJo said...

Chickular area! LOL! Still laughing!

For some reason looking at that bike I'm thinking I would have more trouble balancing that kind. Don't know, but - I'm just sayin'.

VenturaMom from said...

Huh huh huh...she said chickular area. See ya on the road Suebob.

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