Electra Townie, my new bike, Roscoe Village, Chicago

Over a year ago, before I started at FeedBurner, I decided I wanted to get a bike. Then I began working at FeedBurner and my first week Chris and John were building a bike from scratch: First sign that these guys were serious about bikes. Then I started getting worried about what bike to get, which was the right bike for me? And would it be cool enough for the guys at work. I resolved that if I ever got a bike I wouldn’t tell anyone. And then I decided I didn’t care, I was just going to get a bike. And then Jessica got a bike from a nice guy on Craigslist who restores old bikes. I decided I wanted a vintage cruiser bike and started emailling him but he didn’t have the right bike for me. Then I worried about how much I’d spend. And then. And then. And then. And then this weekend I decided that was it! That I was going to go to a bike store and I was going to get a bike!

On The Route, Lake View, Chicago

Justin and his wife recently got new bikes at On The Route bike shop on Belmont & Lincoln. Justin said that they just walked in and said they were newbies and asked to have someone help them figure out what they needed and that they had a great experience. So, that was where I decided to go. I did also consider going to Roscoe Village Bikes (love their logo!), but it seemed like On The Route had a larger selection.

I walked over this morning, met Dan the bike sales guy, and just basically told him everything written above. He showed me a couple Electra bikes and a Trek that was more of a cruiser style. After taking each of them out for a spin, I realized that the Electra bikes were definitely what I was looking for. They sat upright and the pressure wasn’t on my shoulders or wrists, which I was concerned about since I already have issues with my back, shoulder and hands. The ride was smooth and and comfortable. The Electra Amsterdam was kind of a classic, old style 3-speed. The Electra Townie had 7 gears and some shocks. One of these was the bike I wanted. But the price! It was about double what I thought I’d be spending. I told Dan I’d have to think about it and left.

Then I called Dallas 3 times, texted Matt , and wandered around the streets going back and forth about why I should or should not get one of the bikes. On the one hand I’m frugal and have a hard time spending money on myself, a bike would help with my exercise program and help with transportation problems, my free lunches at Google would pay for the bike in no time (by not going out for lunch), it’s equal to a few rounds of Dallas’ golf, biking is fun, I haven’t had a car or car payments or insurance payments for about 6 years, and dangit I just deserve it. On the other hand I’ve been trying my hardest to pinch pennies to save up to buy a condo and pay off credit and loans. So what to do?

I went back to the store. I asked Dan if I could please ride each one more time. I went on for about 20 minutes on each on the same route so I could really compare. I liked the Electra Townie better because it had shocks and more speeds. The only thing I was sort of on the fence about was that “Hazy Lilac” wouldn’t have been my first choice for color, but it would have taken four weeks to order another color and by then I was so psyched I couldn’t wait. Plus I was afraid that if I didn’t walk out of there with a bike today that somehow another year would go by without having a bike. Outside the shop, though, there was a couple that was literally just waiting for me to not want to buy the bike. Dan said they’d been looking at it and came back but he told them they’d have to wait because I was test riding and had first dibs. Yay, Dan. So, then I just went for it. I got the Electra Townie. And I’m so happy! On the way home I was honestly so excited and having so much fun that I didn’t realize I rode right past my street until I was to Western.

Somewhere in the day my phone totally died and my charger was at work… something I’ve done a few times in the month that I’ve had my new phone and charger. Time to get a new charger and, more importantly, time to run an errand on my new bike! The closest TMobile retailer was on Wellington/Ashland which would normally be a long walk or a walk to the train and a walk. What a pain. With my new bike, though, this was just a short ride. And fun! And exercise! I quickly got a glimpse into the new freedom my bike would provide. And when I left the store I was unlocking my bike and someone walking by was like “Great bike!” and I was so happy! Everyone loves my bike

And now I need to get Dallas to get a bike, which he’s been thinking of doing, too. And I guess it means that I should finally let him spend that money he wants to on an flat-screen TV.

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