I have been wanting to be able to ride bike, and so I had decided I would start checking garage sales or thrift shops to see if I could find a bike. My hubby said he had one up in the barn and would get it down and fix it up for me. I thought "great!". I even put a "yellow stickie" on the kitchen table with the word "bike" and drew a picture of me riding it. (All of this because he often needs a visual reminder to get something done).
FINALLY, Thursday evening he got the bike down and showed it to me. Let's just say, it was not exactly like one of the new mountain or road bikes in the stores. But He assured me it will work fine. Friday evening he oiled all the gears, etc. on the bike. As you can see from the picture, it is still going to need a little work. But we both tried it out, and it actually rides just fine. Now when I get a really nice day, I'm going to clean it up and see if I can get some of the rust off of it. Any ideas of something that works well to remove rust without a lot of work? Or maybe I'll just try Coke--I think someone told me it takes off rust. (Imagine what it does to our insides!)
So now--no more excuses. Even though it's only about 40 degrees today, it is sunny. So I believe I will take the bike for a premier spin and just hope that I'm not too old to stay upright on a bike. I canceled my fitness center membership for the summer, so I'm hoping this will be a way to keep up with my exercise goals. Walking around my country mile by myself is just plain boring.
[Post-Script]: I just got back from my premier ride, and I learned something. Apparently riding bike does not use the same muscles as walking on the treadmill. I only rode 2 miles (part of it riding into the wind) and my legs are like jelly. When I got back, Lynn looked at my hand grips and said, "No wonder you were working so hard--you had it set on ;high'! Duh! Maybe next time I'll start out in 'low'.
12 comments:
Good for you! I like the older bikes without all the gears and stuff. Looking forward to seeing how it looks all cleaned up.
Glad to see you blogging again. I missed you.
Way to go Donna, we still have snow but I am looking forward to riding my bike again. Hope you recover soon.....:-) Hugs
Donna, it seems several of my blogging friends are returning to bike riding. There's Bernie, Diana, Jackie and Rebecca. I have one too that I ride mostly just here on the property. Haven't gotten it out of storage yet though. But will!
Hmm. Good for you. Just wondering . . . Do you have a helmet? I went down last summer one time and was very glad for my helmet.
Looks like we're both going to be riding this summer! Navel jelly will take the rust off, but it takes awhile. My first ride was surprising too, it's been forty plus years since I rode! I'll be thinking about you when I'm riding Donna! Be careful!
Love Di ♥
Wow... that's an old bike. Here you are getting one out of storage to ride; I just got mine out of the garage and gave it away to a precious man in our church who came over to mow our lawn--a nice bike I haven't ridden in YEARS! I probably could have gotten some $ for it, but don't have the energy for such endeavors today.
I'm proud of you for taking the opportunity. If I had a place to ride, I would probably do so. But then again, that sounds like more of an excuse than reality. Keep to it, and BE CAREFUL! K?
Blessed Easter week to you and yours.
peace~elaine
Riding a bike is a great way to get out and exercise but I have felt those jelly legs too. You have inspired me I should get my bike out and moving when I am off. Spring break is this week and I graduate the end of May so I will have the summer to ride till it gets too hot.
Glad to see you blogging again...I think your bike is cute. I miss being able to ride my bike but do not miss the jelly legs and a sore bottom. Isn't it fun that the weather is nice enough to be out doors
Good for you!!!! First time ever that I have looked forward to moving that clock forward so there is more light to exercise when I get home instead of rising early before the birds! LOL!!! I even asked my oldest to start jogging with me in order to give myself a challenge. For his legs are much longer than mine and it will take some moving, on my part to keep up!! Keep going girl!!!
As an avid cyclist... I too LOVE old bikes. We have 2 - but we don't ride them very often. And it's usually around the block. Our longer rides are left to our road and mountain bikes.
As far as the rust... contact a bike shop. I would hate to see you ruin a great old bike! Some bike shops will even tune up and old bike. Tightening the brake cables, making sure the chain isn't stretched out etc.
Good for you getting out on the bike... it's great exercise and I think takes us back to our childhood!
Have fun... I look forward to hearing about your cycling adventures this summer!
Donna, welcome to the "old bike" club! And it sounds like you're doing really good with your climb. Better than me!
Kudos to Lynn. I'll have to ask Gary what he did to the rust on my bike. It was a mess. I think he sanded it really well(took it all apart) and then primed it before painting....
I can't wait for the warmth to be able to ride and walk and hike, once again too! Thanks for sharing, love your blog! come join me at mine if you have the time! love to have you along! blessings, Lisa
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