NotBlueAtAll

I'm just a fat gal with a blog and an opinion. Well, lots of opinions.

I Bought A Bike!

December16

I found it on ye olde Craigslist and just couldn’t pass it up! It’s a SCHWINN “Jaguar” Ladies!!! I love it and got it for a steal and it’s a solid, steel frame thing. The guy repairs bikes all of the time and sells them, even offered additional services if I needed. Super cool!

PhotobucketI have wanted a bike for about four years, but always talked myself out of it. First, the money was always tight, still it but like I said the price was right as well as the timing. Next was the visibility of it, I mean, you’re like just out there! And the thing I still haven’t gotten over and perhaps won’t for some time: Fear of injury! I am still dealing with pain and stiffness in my knees. One is more stiff/sore while the other is a pulled hamstring. Neither seem to heal and I personally think that living upstairs only exacerbates them daily. I remember just a couple of months ago running around with my Puggyman in the morning or being able to sprint out to the front lawn for our walk. Ugh!

But you know what? All of that still isn’t enough to keep me from getting a bike! Because I have stopped giving a damn what other people think, I want to do what makes me happy and it has been twenty…Yes, you read that right…TWENTY YEARS since I’d been on a bike! And I fully intend to Glam-up my bike, too! I want to paint it to match this helmet…which I must have:

Nutcase Swirl Bike Helmet
When I showed it to my husband he said it looked like a jawbreaker…so now I have to have it! It’s just so fun and seriously? It would totes go with any damned thing I could possibly wear! And if I love the helmet I will want to wear it and use it and the bike itself. The bike even fits in the backseat of my car with some minor finagling. I can’t believe it though…I HAVE A BIKE!!!
I was mega nervous when the guy brought the bike out and said I should take it for a spin. Twenty years?! *DeepBreath* I did it and asked him to lower the seat, then again, then raise the handlebars…he did this all with no question or issue what so ever. Really nice dude. And then it felt better. Not quite right, I mean how could it on the first go, but it fit/was comfy enough that I felt confident buying it on the spot. Well, I asked that he help me get it in my car, which again he did without hesitation. Then he showed me how to take off the front tire and quick-release brakes. So cool! The step-through frame makes all of the difference, especially with my knee.
I will start out in the parking lot of my apartment building and hopefully soon get the courage to venture out into our neighborhood. I’m to going to pressure myself. I recall playing tennis with my husband years ago and getting so upset with myself for not being as good as when I was on the Jr. USTA. Which is silly, I realize that now. Your brain remembers your body being able to do things, but your body without practice easily forgets. I will be patient and just try to enjoy the ride.
This is such a dream come true! I can’t truly explain it just yet. I don’t want to use the word liberating. I just…I dunno! Ha-ha! I’m giddy, that much is certain! I practically lived on my bike as a kid. I rode all over town and even to neighboring ones. It was my faithful steed no matter how I felt or where I wanted to go. I never named a bike before, but this one feels so special and the feelings I’m having about it, too.
Have you been holding yourself back from something for years? Why? What’s holding you back? Let’s talk about it!
17 Comments to

“I Bought A Bike!”

  1. On December 16th, 2011 at 10:23 am Lori Says:

    Well done you. Roller skates/blades have been my temptation, I really, really want a set but I am afraid I will lose interest and they wont be worth the money or that I will fall as although i lived on my skates and taught all the kids in the street I lived how to skate an explosion at a work place has left me kind of unbalanced. But skating what a workout, that would get the blood pumping and I am kind of looking for some kind of enjoyable aerobic exercise to do, I really need to improve my lung capacity.

  2. On December 16th, 2011 at 11:02 am Not Blue at All Says:

    Lori: Why not look for some used equipment? Locally I have a “Play It Again Sports” that sells that sort of thing. Or just check craigslist, you never know. And go for baby steps. Balance is an issue for me as well, I used to love roller skating, but my knees can’t handle that anymore. As for lung capacity? I don’t know how to increase that…Singing? Ha-ha, I dunno…but do a bit of googling and see what you find. I bet it’s easier than you think. And let me know. I’ve longed to increase my lung capacity FOR singing purposes. I mean, how does Adele do it? Whew. Ha-ha, take care.

  3. On December 16th, 2011 at 12:36 pm Twistie Says:

    All my life, I’ve wanted to be able to ice skate. Alas! my sense of balance has other ideas. Sigh. No matter how hard I’ve tried, I’ve never managed to stay upright on the damn things for more than one glide.

    Now I just enjoy watching other people ice skate. Oh, and I really enjoyed selling books to Scott Hamilton once! He was the nicest guy ever!

    As soon as I can ditch this bloody cold, I’m definitely going to be doing some singing. When my lung capacity is at its peak, I’m a hell of a torch singer.

  4. On December 16th, 2011 at 12:39 pm Not Blue at All Says:

    Twistie: Yes, I love the idea of ice skating, but after enough spills I’m done for life! I’ll happily watch others as I sip my cocoa and smile.

  5. On December 16th, 2011 at 1:17 pm E. Ai B. Says:

    That is freaking awesome! And pretty inspirational if I do say so myself.

    I never rode bikes as a kid. (I STILL don’t really know how to ride one!) But my older brother took up skateboarding, which meant I got to get into his stuff. I was never good at doing any tricks, (and broke several fingers, bones in my foot, and my tailbone a few times) but skateboarding was fun, and it was a fun way to get from point A to point B as a kid. I was on one up until I started college, then never again after.

    I recently got on my BIL’s. And it felt so unnatural. 🙁 Idk if I will ever be able to do what I used to on one (which wasn’t much, but I could RIDE the damn thing). I’m kind of dying to buy a decent one again though. And a helmet.

    Sports like biking and boarding are some of those things that people try and keep you out of if you are fat. And it feels good to participate in stuff like that to reclaim your space in it. I totally miss that feeling…

  6. On December 16th, 2011 at 3:36 pm Not Blue at All Says:

    E.Ai B.: Oh man, I used to skateboard, too! My little brother was given a board for x-mas one year and it was way too big for him, so I taught myself to ride it. Same here on the tricks thing. But I could ride it pretty damn well. I did try a ramp once…bit the dust and scraped myself up pretty badly. Ahh…I am now recalling all of the skater bois! Perhaps I wasn’t so much of a tom boy as I was just boy crazy, come to think of it. Ha-ha! Yes, I love how radical and out there it seems to be fat and active. Pushing against those stereotypes and all. LOVE IT!

  7. On December 16th, 2011 at 3:35 pm RoRo Says:

    I love doing things that I haven’t done before/in a long time too. I really wanted a bike 3 years ago and Jason was so sweet he bought me one for my birthday. I am so slow and don’t like hills much but I do have fun when I do get out there! I also wanted skates and so we got me some skates but I royally SUCK at skating and Jason does not like me riding! So they are here if anyone want to use them! Size 7. 😉
    RoRo

  8. On December 16th, 2011 at 3:38 pm Not Blue at All Says:

    RoRo: So cool! But yeah, I want to start out pretty slow, that’s why I went with a cruiser style. I’m not looking for any sort of tricks or rugged terrain…just chillin’ and cruisin’! You don’t want to keep trying on the skates? Have you gone to the rink or just on your street? I remember trying to skate in my neighborhood growing up and it was a nightmare, at the rink there are no rocks or cracks in the sidewalk! Ha-ha!

  9. On December 16th, 2011 at 7:03 pm Ted Says:

    That’s a kickass ride!!!! I actually broke the frame on the last bike I owned. (Fatguy problems….) I miss cruising around. 🙂

  10. On December 17th, 2011 at 10:06 am maggiemunkee Says:

    that is so great! and i love love love the helmet. you’re making me want to save my pennies for a bicycle. 😀

  11. On December 17th, 2011 at 10:30 am Not Blue at All Says:

    maggiemunkee: Scour your local craigslist, too. Mine was 120 bucks, but I’ve seen them for free if you’re willing to clean/tune them up yourself. Never hurts to look. The helmet was a splurge, but I know it will motivate me with it’s beauty. Thanks so much!

  12. On December 19th, 2011 at 9:57 am Alena Says:

    YAY!!!! Beautiful bike! And with so many great places to bike here in the southbay, it’s a worthwhile investment. I recommend installing self-sealing tubes. I used to get flats all the time until I did that on my bike.

    So, when are we going riding?

  13. On December 19th, 2011 at 11:51 am Not Blue at All Says:

    Alena: Thanks, but did ya read the part about taking it slow? I’m terrified, still…but I want to take my time and get comfortable with cycling first. And I’m waiting on my gorgeous helmet to arrive. And I may order a new seat. Thanks for the self-sealing tires recommendation. I was going to buy that slime stuff, but if the tires aren’t very spendy then that sounds awesome.

  14. On December 22nd, 2011 at 8:16 pm sabrina Says:

    ummm, i want to LICK that helmet! is that bad? 🙂 your new bike ain’t too shabby either! if you ever want to ride together, let me know, i’d love to join you for a fatty bicycle fest!

  15. On December 23rd, 2011 at 10:42 am Not Blue at All Says:

    Sabrina: I know, it’s so shiny and candy-like! Hmm…fatty bikefest? That does sound tempting. Let me get the hang of actually riding the thing and perhaps we could plan a big thing in the spring! Fabulous idea!

  16. On December 25th, 2011 at 5:32 pm annabananapants Says:

    Yea! Bikes! I have also recently rediscovered the fun of biking. I would second the recommendation of looking on Craigslist for a deal. Not sure if I would be able to do much biking I bought a 5 speed that’s turned out to be a great commuter bike for under $100.00.

    Practice and you’ll have your pedaling legs back sooner than you might think. I’m back to the sheer fun of getting out under my own steam, even if it is just to run errands or go to work. This has also helped with my plantar facitis (sp?), that made my daily walk quite painful.

    Here’s to simple childhood joys rediscovered! Love the helmet too 🙂

  17. On December 26th, 2011 at 11:24 am Not Blue at All Says:

    AnnaBananaPants: Yay to fatties on bikes! And fuck yeah to engaging your inner child, I say! We’ll have to start a new Tuesday series when the winter starts to thaw, fats on bikes!

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