New Bike!

[ZennaBug]

I have been using the same old mountain bike (a 1993 Trek Antelope) since I started middle school in 1999.  It was my very first "grown-up" bike and came from a yard sale in Indiana while I was visiting my grandma.  It had a men's frame and was way too big, but it was time to move away from my first bike, a little purple Schwinn cruiser with pink streamers, banana seat with pink and purple hearts, and flower-adorned basket.  I was just getting made fun of too much and decided to get a less-girly and more grown up bike.  I stayed pretty small, so that bike was always a little too big for me.  I rode it to school almost daily in middle school and used it for bike rides through high school.  When I went to college, it was my main mode of transportation.  For campus, it was perfect.  Sturdy and decent quality, but so ugly that nobody would ever steal it while I was in class and not nice enough to worry when it was out in the rain and snow.  But over the last 3 years, it's had some problems.  It stopped shifting the way it was supposed to and the breaks weren't responsive (and squealed with even a little humidity, causing people to always think I was about to crash into them).  It served me well, but I have always wanted a nice cruiser instead.  Something cute and practical.

I am applying for jobs like crazy and one that I have an interview for tomorrow (I have a good feeling about it too) is really close to me.  I was thinking how great it would be to have a bike that I could commute to work in and save gas.  One with a basket for my purse or for getting groceries.  A little commuter with smaller tires than my clunky mountain bike.  So I hopped on Craigslist last night and immediately found a beauty.  A bright blue 1985 Schwinn 3-speed Collegiate with a little metal basket.  An older model, but it looked like it was in great shape.  $100.  I called the seller this morning and he still had it, so I called my dad and asked if he was interested in getting me an early Christmas present.  Plus, he's a bike enthusiast (he raced competitively when he was in his 20's and 30's), so I wouldn't want to get a used bike without him inspecting it and making sure it was a good buy.  He agreed and I called the seller to set a time to see it.

When we arrived, I just fell in love.  There are some cosmetic issues, a few scratches and scuffs and a bit of staining, but structurally it was perfect.  The seller was a guy who buys bikes at yard sales and thrift stores and then flips them.  That's 3 years older than I am!  I hopped on and took a little spin and the bike felt great.  After my dad had a chance to ride it too, he fiddled with the parts to be sure it was ok.  The guy offered to sell it to us for $90 instead, since the paint wasn't perfect.  With Dad's blessing, we handed over the money and loaded the bike into his truck!


I am so excited, I haven't had a new bike in 12 years and this one is exactly what I was looking for!

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Isn't she a beauty?!    I need to think of a good name for her.

[kaoskat]

It's lovely Zen! Huge congrats!

[kittybethy]

Awesome bike! Congrats!

[ZennaBug]

Thanks, I'm so excited! 

[partypony566]

Wow congrats!!! ( although I would love your old bike with pink streamers and flowery basket  too  )

Anyway you should call this new bike Penelope

[lovesbabysquirmy]

How cool!  Congrats!

[ZennaBug]

Thanks!  And in other good news, I finally got a job!!!!!!!!!!

Wow congrats!!! ( although I would love your old bike with pink streamers and flowery basket  too  )

Anyway you should call this new bike Penelope

I loved the old cruiser too.  This is the grown-up version of my old bike!

And lol, Penelope? 

[ashes]

Love it!  Congrats. 

[melodys_angel]

Pretty colour!  Congrats on the bike hun <3

[teresat]

Congrats! I love that shade of blue.

[kiwimlp]

Nice ride, Zen!  This will really help with exercise post-op.  Congrats

[partypony566]

Thanks!  And in other good news, I finally got a job!!!!!!!!!!

Wow congrats!!! ( although I would love your old bike with pink streamers and flowery basket  too  )

Anyway you should call this new bike Penelope

I loved the old cruiser too.  This is the grown-up version of my old bike!

And lol, Penelope? 

Yeah, she looks like a Penelope

[SourdoughStomper]

Bluebell? Give her a pony name, maybe. Congrats on the bike!

[ZennaBug]

Thanks, guys!  I am totally in love with the bike, especially the color.

Nice ride, Zen!  This will really help with exercise post-op.  Congrats

Thanks, that's what I hope!  I took her for a spin to get to my yoga class at the gym and it was a wonderful ride.  The seat is super comfy and she rides really smooth.  I had a blast and was actually disappointed how quickly I got to the gym!

Thanks!  And in other good news, I finally got a job!!!!!!!!!!

Wow congrats!!! ( although I would love your old bike with pink streamers and flowery basket  too  )

Anyway you should call this new bike Penelope

I loved the old cruiser too.  This is the grown-up version of my old bike!

And lol, Penelope? 

Yeah, she looks like a Penelope

Love it! 

Bluebell? Give her a pony name, maybe. Congrats on the bike!

A pony name... Blueberry Baskets? 

[Eviecorn]

Blueberry Baskets!  DO EET!  Yay for your new bike!