A Bike Is A Beautiful Thing

I bought a bike, about seven years ago. Back in the days of the college ministry house, when International students ruled the scene and Evie and I spent many late nights deep in the throes of Guitar Hero. Ahh... sometimes I long for those days again.

However, upon graduating from college and moving to Texas, I lent the bike to my dear, dear Japanese friend Eriko. Now honestly, I realized upon giving it to her and moving to a different state that it was probably the last time I'd ever see that bike again. Eriko later returned to Japan and gave the bike back to the Ministry House, in whose garage the bike dwelt long after I had completely forgotten about its existence.

Then sometime not too long ago, I heard there had been a giant garage sale at the Ministry House; I remembered the bike but also saw there was little chance of recovery; and thus, decided against attempting to hunt down my former wheels. So, true to my womanly intuition, since that day I have seen neither head nor tails of the little blue bike.

Enter the present day: Something suddenly motivated me, two weeks ago Saturday, to ask my Dad to take me and his bike rack to Wal-Mart to buy a bike. (I think it was realizing that moving out meant I could no longer borrow Ashlie's bike.) Anyway, we spent about thirty minutes looking and finally decided on one, the color of which I was not really all that thrilled about: Purple. Ugh. Anyway... most of the bikes were on sale but when we got up to the counter, the lady rang it up and I realized this was like, the only bike in Wal-Mart NOT on sale that day. So, we went all the way back to the back of the store to look again.

Suddenly, waaaaaaaay up on the top rack I noticed another 26" bike (all the girly ones were 24"- too short). An orange bike, no less. That had not really crossed my mind but when we got it down, I was really starting to warm up to its sanguine nature. (Anything is better than purple, right?) A few minutes later and we were back at the counter, ringing it up: $88! Yep, it was also one of the cheapest mountain bikes in store. And, I am convinced, the coolest as well. Not too shabby...

After getting this bike home, I started going on rides and realized, I love this bike. I love to bike. Basically, if you have been a runner for any length of time and then switch to biking, you will be hooked because biking is so inherently easier for the distance you can cover. (Not that I'm switching, mind you...) If it were not 95 degrees all summer and I did not work 14 miles away on a highway, I would bike everywhere.

I.
Love.
Biking.

So, long post but: The Orange Bike Rules. I think I see a duathalon in the future. More about that line of thought to come.