Diving Into Cycling Without Hitting Your Head

Buying a bicycle and using it for a form of locomotion or a method of exercise is good for the environment and for your health. But bikes can be freaking expensive. And there is an ecological impact on manufacturing new bikes (though much less than cars).

About a year ago we decided we wanted to get back into cycling, at first for exercise and eventually for transport to local places. We looked at our local sporting goods store and had to have help getting our jaws up off of the floor. All of the bikes were super expensive! And there were a ton of different types. And since we were at a chain sporting goods store the employees were of absolutely no help.

Our next stop was at a local bike shop, Montgomery Cyclery. Since the store specialized in bikes we thought it might be a better place to start. The sticker shock was just as hard but the salespeople were much more useful. We told the man at the counter, I didn't catch his name, what we were up to. After he laughed a bit he told us to find some cheap used bikes and get used to riding first. Once we had that down we could come back and he would help us get the bikes we needed for what we planned on using them for. I asked him what kind we should get and he said it didn't really matter. He told us to get cheap bikes that fit us and get used to riding.

After spending a few weeks going through craigslit we found bikes for both of us for less than $150. The saying, "it's just like riding a bike," doesn't seem to apply to riding a bike. After buying a couple of helmets (something they never used when I was a child) we went to the local public works, where we drop our recycling, and tried to ride. I had quite a bit of trouble figuring out how to start moving. After calling my brother (a police officer that also does some bike copping) I was set to start. I quickly realized that I may have been "in shape" but I was not in biking shape. The salesman as Montgomery Cyclery was absolutely right in buying something cheap to get used to first.

Our inexpensive bikes on their way to be used

If you want to get back into cycling I highly recommend starting off with something used. You can use craigslist or freecycle to find a bike and start practicing. Don’t' forget to get a helmet and check with your doctor if you have any type of health problem. Try to find a shop that specializes in bikes to bring your questions to as well as your bike when you need repairs.

So after a year am I biking anywhere yet? The short answer is no. I have had some problems with my knee throughout the year and I'm trying to get that healed up. But I am trying to find good places to safely take the bike to work or to the store.