Most Empty Nester's try to take vacations. My youngest son is in college. He has been away for a few months now. I always said that I'd go back to college and enjoy it the second time around. I'm not at that point yet.
I figured, with our income tax return why not buy a bike? We have bills to pay, a tuition, and all the additional expenses that go with it. Let's do something for fun but close to home.
As life goes, I've managed to hold a second income in the household, eat well, and stay fit. We get older, busier, and good old visiting the gym gets harder and harder on a daily basis.
In light of the expectation of getting new bike, I've been conditioning my legs to prepare for the journey whenever I do hit the gym.
This weekend we invested in two pairs of "Public" Bikes. They are city bikes, popular in the Bay Area. I didn't even try it out at the store. I was too embarrassed. Thoughts of a middle aged woman on the bike and falling in the city was just mortifying. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time though. I sold my 12 speed racing bike a few years ago in a garage sale. Raising kids, being a team mom, and the neighborhood mom I just never got back into riding. I did regret selling that bike.
My first ride was in the dark in front of my house where no one could see me. Compared to my light weight bike, this one is a sturdy 7-speed. As I thought, the first pedal was wobbly. The old saying that once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget. I can honestly say, I didn't fall off.
My second adventure, was to explore the neighborhood, the gears, and handling. Assuming that I lived on flat street surface I thought it would be easy. It wasn't. My neighborhood has hills. When we walk the hills, it's a different feel than riding the streets. I thought my muscles would be sore. Instead, I just nauseous for hours. I hadn't realized all the "other" physical parts of my body that was involved. It was only a 25 minute ride. No pun, when we read articles about how we need more physical exercise.
This evening, I just finished the ride. My thoughts were of the first day in high school track. I remembered all the girls running past me, my body was unconditioned, and I came running in with another girl last. It took me all semester to catch up with the other girls. Fortunately for me, my classmates were positive. I got to a steep hill, remembering last night and nausea. I decided to walk the hill, and slowly get used to pumping up the slope later.
I'm at the computer, thinking about this "Public" Bike. It's going to take me a couple of weeks to get my body in gear. Instead taking a vacation this year, I'm riding through the country and in the city. Sweat dripping from cheeks from 30 minute ride. I have to admit, it was nice to feel the breeze run through my hair once again. I'm not riding with a purpose. I'm just riding because I'm an Empty Nester and this is what I want to do. Sometimes we just need to remember what it was like to be a kid and play.
Public Bikes run from $400-$1200
Step through to Hybrid Bikes
The staff is young, bright and friendly
Public Bikes & Gear
Juliet Vercelli is a travel professional. Who loves to get out and do things. If you would like to keep up and find out what's new in the world visit her webpage www.byebyebirdees.com or email: info@byebyebirdees.com
I figured, with our income tax return why not buy a bike? We have bills to pay, a tuition, and all the additional expenses that go with it. Let's do something for fun but close to home.
As life goes, I've managed to hold a second income in the household, eat well, and stay fit. We get older, busier, and good old visiting the gym gets harder and harder on a daily basis.
In light of the expectation of getting new bike, I've been conditioning my legs to prepare for the journey whenever I do hit the gym.
This weekend we invested in two pairs of "Public" Bikes. They are city bikes, popular in the Bay Area. I didn't even try it out at the store. I was too embarrassed. Thoughts of a middle aged woman on the bike and falling in the city was just mortifying. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time though. I sold my 12 speed racing bike a few years ago in a garage sale. Raising kids, being a team mom, and the neighborhood mom I just never got back into riding. I did regret selling that bike.
My first ride was in the dark in front of my house where no one could see me. Compared to my light weight bike, this one is a sturdy 7-speed. As I thought, the first pedal was wobbly. The old saying that once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget. I can honestly say, I didn't fall off.
My second adventure, was to explore the neighborhood, the gears, and handling. Assuming that I lived on flat street surface I thought it would be easy. It wasn't. My neighborhood has hills. When we walk the hills, it's a different feel than riding the streets. I thought my muscles would be sore. Instead, I just nauseous for hours. I hadn't realized all the "other" physical parts of my body that was involved. It was only a 25 minute ride. No pun, when we read articles about how we need more physical exercise.
This evening, I just finished the ride. My thoughts were of the first day in high school track. I remembered all the girls running past me, my body was unconditioned, and I came running in with another girl last. It took me all semester to catch up with the other girls. Fortunately for me, my classmates were positive. I got to a steep hill, remembering last night and nausea. I decided to walk the hill, and slowly get used to pumping up the slope later.
I'm at the computer, thinking about this "Public" Bike. It's going to take me a couple of weeks to get my body in gear. Instead taking a vacation this year, I'm riding through the country and in the city. Sweat dripping from cheeks from 30 minute ride. I have to admit, it was nice to feel the breeze run through my hair once again. I'm not riding with a purpose. I'm just riding because I'm an Empty Nester and this is what I want to do. Sometimes we just need to remember what it was like to be a kid and play.
Public Bikes run from $400-$1200
Step through to Hybrid Bikes
The staff is young, bright and friendly
Public Bikes & Gear
Address: 549 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Juliet Vercelli is a travel professional. Who loves to get out and do things. If you would like to keep up and find out what's new in the world visit her webpage www.byebyebirdees.com or email: info@byebyebirdees.com
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