The other day I took “Betsy” out for a spin. Who is Betsy you ask? She is my lovely bike that I bought last summer on a whim. I was meeting up with my friend one day and while waiting for her to get off of work I stopped into a nearby bicycle shop to kill time. I had no plans to buy anything but ended up walking out with a bike. I loved biking as a child. My childhood friends and I would get on our bikes and just go everywhere. Our parents had no clue where we went.
I had been planning to purchase a bike a while back but you know how you plan to do something and never get around to it. I rarely make huge purchases (she wasn’t cheap) without doing a little research beforehand. I saw her and instantly fell in love with her. I also think she was the only bike on sale. I would have went the Craig List route, but I’m small and needed a bike with a small frame. Your girl needs to be able to reach the pedals.
Some of the “Bike Crew”
I must say that I don’t regret my purchase one bit. I definitely got my moneys worth. I rode that bike all last summer with my bike crew. I discovered places that I would have never known existed without Betsy. My favorites are the Greenway and Summer Streets.
I often ride my bike to street fairs and the farmers market. I even ride my bike to work when the weather is nice. Shopping is easy thanks to the basket I had installed when I purchased my bike.
I even bought this lovely iPhone holder for my bike from Overstock for $6.99. I often use a bike app to get directions or find out where the bike lanes are located. I love this contraption.
The Greenway view from Riverside Park in Harlem
I bought my bike from Metro Bicycles in NYC. I always take my bike there when I think it needs a little adjusting and they perform a tune up for free. The other day I went to have my handle bars lifted. My back feels so much better now.
View from the East Side
Bike theft in NYC is crazy. Thieves steal bikes left and right. I had to by two locks for my bike. One is a U-Lock and the other I had installed to prevent thieves from taking my wheels and seat.
View from under the 66th St. Pavilion
Biking ensemble
I see the bike thieves in Harlem all the time. I don’t see them in the act but when I see them I know they have just stolen a bike. It will be an older gentlemen who probably hasn’t been on a bike since 1977 walking two, not one, professional grade bikes back to the chop shop. It’s so obvious.
It’s terrible. I just shake my head in discuss and hope that no one gets mine. I’m hoping my Ft. Knox locks, girly color and basket will deter them from stealing. *fingers crossed*.
I said all that to say that I took my bike over to the East Side of the island the other day. I’m a West Side girl and never venture over to that side. I cringe when I see a party invite with an east side location.
But I decided to try something new and experience another side of Manhattan. It was all good until I had to carry my bike up three flights of stairs. Good lord!! That was tough. But I did it. I really enjoyed myself and plan to ride around the whole island of Manhattan one day. It’s such great exercise.
4 comments
Your bike is soooooo cute & the pictures are lovely. I think I’m going to purchase my first bike this summer as I’m trying to stop driving my car completely. I’ve been in Metro Bikes & the ppl are so friendly & informative. Gonna finally take that leap & purchase. Btw, that iPhone contraption is amazing. I will be making that purchase as well in the near future!
L.
@PartyOverHair
Thank you!! Do it. Buy a bike. I don’t have any regrets about mine. It’s my mode of transportation. NYC is a great riding city!!
This is one of the reasons I’m looking forward to moving to a bigger place. I’ll space to store a bike. I lived on my bike when I was a kid and miss it as an adult.
@Yum: Get a bike! Don’t worry about space. My friend has a small apartment and she has her bike hanging from a ceiling. There are always ways to store it.