Bicycle Co-Op

I have an old hand-me-down bike that has served me rather well over the years.  The problem was, it was not much of a pleasure to ride.  It was used by me on a begrudgingly, as need basis only.  The seat hurt my seat to say the least and the classic "lean to the handle bar" position has never been pleasant on my aching back.

Would a new bike help?  I had to wonder.  My New England summers offer many glorious biking occasions that I long to take advantage of, in a more pleasurable way.  In my own town, for instance, I enjoying walking to do my errands, but how dreamy to bike and do the same.  My little men are always more interested if it's a bike trip.

I started looking at bikes, the sit-straight-up-beach-comber bikes that Martha's Vineyard tourist brochures are iconic for is what I had in mind.  Most I found were far too expensive for my budget or desire.  All I had found left me with an undeniable "not a chance".

Then I went to Target.  Oh my.  There it was, the perfect-for-me-bike at a much better price (and I know much less quality but 'tis not really part of my "need"), still I was having a hard time justifying the splurge.

Talked to my friend Kerrie who was about to go on vacation and found out how much bike rental would be on the Vineyard for a week - guess what - it was exactly 1/2 the cost of buying the Target bike.  Our master minds decided to buy the bike together and each of us (luckily with no travel overlap) would take it on our summer excursions.  Genius!

Could you die?  Vintage inspired, white walls and all.  When I peddled down our street the first time my 8-year old claimed: "You look like an old-timey lady mommy".  "Great", I responded, "That is just what I am going for".  I can only hope his minds eye was seeing Gidget or That Girl and not the old mean lady from the Wizard of Oz.

My bicycle sharing friend has enjoyed a week of peddling around Martha's Vineyard already and told me how she decorated it for the 4th of July.  She sent me this photo:

I can see how the Inn behind her is decked out in all of it's glory, the bike I am not so sure is living up to it's potential.  I rather had something more like this in mind:

Se la vie, next year I'll make sure I get the bike for the 4th! 

We did add the sassy Nantucket Bike Basket - it removes easily, and has a handle for your hydrangea picking needs or farmers market shopping, oh the joy!

Aside from the huge spring loaded seat and white wall tires I think I might just like the handlebars the most with their gushy, handstiched-esque, leather-esque details.  Coulda fooled me, they feel like the real deal.

Did you want to see the basket again?

Comments

[Barefoot Liz]

I love that bike! I need a bike... Haven't had one in years. Physical therapist told me to get one. Not only would it be good exercise, but it would help my knee and foot.

Plus, once my son learns to ride, we can go on bike ride's together!

[Leah]

So cute. I begged for a cruiser bike for years--one that I could ride wearing a skirt, in an upright position. Preferably with a cushy seat and a basket in front. My bike-snob husband refused. He blamed it on lack of storage (he has 4 bikes at any given time) but really, he's just not hip enough for me. Brat. Now that we're no longer living in bike-obsessed Portland, my riding has plummeted so I quit begging about a year ago.

[Auntie Rita]

Maybe if Davis saw me on your bike,Laurie, he be able to put "Old Timey Lady" in perspective.