You Get What You Pay For

I have learnt that you get what you pay for.  I currently have two bikes.  One is my "errand" bike and the other is my "going for long rides" bike.  I consider my "errand" bike "junky".  It really isn't.  It's just I'm not too concerned about leaving it out for an extended period of time.  When I get on to ride it, it feels like a chore in a way.  It's heavy and bigger than my other bike but it gets the job done.  Five to ten years ago, my first and second bikes were too big for me too, but they also got the "job" done and allowed me some sense of freedom which I was truly grateful for.

Then there's my dream bike.  The bike I get on and it feels effortless to ride.  It just glides easily as soon as I hit the pedal.  It's a single speed, no gears at all and it rides like a dream.  Going around the reservoir is fun.  Sure sometimes it's hard going up hills because I need to work at it, but it's still easier than my other bike.  I love passing people who are pushing their bike uphill that are half my age while I'm going up a hill on a single speed, slowly but surely.

I just absolutely love riding that bike but I wouldn't leave it locked up somewhere for extended periods of time.  It's just too darn pretty and tempting for someone to want to take.  I would truly miss this bike.  So let's not even go there. 

Taking a break at the halfway point around the reservoir.

My precious bicycle.  I love it.  It rides like a dream.

This bike is my homage to the Japanese/Asian culture.  My girlfriend called it my "princess bike" which suits me fine.  I guess I probably was royalty in a past life so that makes sense.  Rick picked the perfect bike for me.  He saw it and he knew it had to be mine.

Eight or nine years ago, I went to Sport Swap to buy my first bike in years.  It was only $100 but it got me around and I felt free.  I have since let that bike go.  I have learnt after riding cheaper and clunkier bikes, that riding a bike that costs a little more is well worth the money invested.  Especially if you are going to go for longer rides.  It definitely makes riding a lot more fun if you have the right bike and the right bike that "fits" you. 

If a bike is too big, it's awkward to ride.  And if it's heavy, it's not that fun to ride either.  It makes riding laboursome.  It is well worth the investment for a decent bike and it doesn't necessarily have to cost a fortune.  It's like anything in life.  You pay for a cheap bike, it isn't going to last and it isn't as fun to ride.  I'm going to have this bike for a long time. 

What drives me crazy is people will spend a minimum of $400 and more a month to have a car. They will pay for a car payment, insurance, gas, maintenance and parking and yet they will balk at spending a $1000 on a bike.  Are you kidding me??  I don't have a car payment, don't need insurance or gas (except my own energy), it's very low maintenance and there are no parking costs.  Who is coming out ahead here? 

If I want a car, I go rent one every now and again.  There is freedom in not having a car.  When I say we don't have a car, people just won't get it.  It's like it doesn't compute.  Living in the inner city has its perks.  If we were in suburbia, perhaps it would be a different story.  I would rather ride out to suburbia to visit.  I like the convenience of living in an area where everything you need is right there.

Sure sometimes it sucks when it's freezing out.  But hey, I'm not spending $700 or $800 on a vehicle and I can save that money and put it somewhere else.  Ahh, cycling is freedom in more ways than one.