Yes, I'm buying a bike

Now for those of you not on Facebook (why?) you may not know that my announcement to buy a bike has met with some ridicule. Some of these people are in no position to be throwing stones if you ask me, but you didn't, so I won't go on.

I went to the Cataluyna Bike Show today. Geneally speaking I find anything with 'Cataluyna' in the title quite annoying because it means everything will be in Catalan, which is not helpful for my ability to learn Spanish. But, today was fun! I got totally into it and now I'm really excited about it all. I am going to ride to class every day and Meri and I are even going to go riding in the Pyrenees for her birthday weekend. OK, apart from my test drive today, I haven't riden a bike in about five years, and that wasn't exactly the best experience, but it really wasn't my fault. Let me explain.

When Mum came to visit me when I lived in New York, we went to Martha's Vineyard for a couple of days. Mum had this great idea to hire bikes and ride around the island. Great! So we picked up our bikes, I grabbed my hat, and we set off. About half way in the 25 minute journey from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown, Mum demanded my hat.

"But you didn't want a hat because you just blow dried your hair this morning," I replied.
"Yes, but I didn't realise it was so hot and my head is getting sunburnt. Let's share," she smiled.

I didn't get it back.

After lunch Janet and I wanted to carry on riding, but Mum had decided she'd had enough and set off to find a taxi that would carry her bike so she could make it to the Oak Bluffs dress shop before it closed. She couldn't find a willing driver, unbeknown to Janet and I, who had a lovely time checking out Chappaquiddick (of Ted Kennedy fame) and rode back to town, sun on our face, wind in our hair, enjoying the lovely ride and me fantasising about buying a bike back in NYC. But Mum hadn't been seen at the bike hire shop. Nor at the dress shop. After about three hours we rock up to the police station freaking out and telling them that Mum has a heart condition and we need to send out a search party. They told us to go back to our hotel and wait calmly. But even they seemed a little worried and got on those walkie-talkie thingys quick smart, giving descriptions, including the shoes she was wearing (presumably they were also picturing her head down in a ditch with just her feet in view, sticking up by the roadside!).

A little while later Mum appeared (in my hat), stormed in, grabbed her wallet to pay for the taxi that eventually agreed to take her and her bike, and I won't repeat the exchange of words that then took place. It seems she'd eventually found a taxi but only after riding to the other side of the island (through the centre rather than along the coast, which is the way we went) and being helped by a 70-year-old fellow bike enthusiast. When Mum had calmed down, I asked her if she'd noticed, on her three-hour journey inland, that there was no longer ocean beside the path she was on. After all, we'd only riden from one coastal town to the next...along it! She replied that she'd "smelled a rat" after about half an hour, but by that time she was well and truly lost.

Needless to say, we didn't hire bikes again, and my fantasy about buying a bike died. Let's face it, I couldn't even afford the metro. I walked everywhere anyway so it's not like I needed the exercise.

Anyway, I don't think that experience need determine my next one. I was fine on the bike. I loved it. And I am pretty damn sure I'll love it again! All my other memories of riding bikes are great! I used to hoon around to Helen's place on my BMX. I was a BMX bandit Goddamnit and I will be again (not a BMX one though).

I'm slightly worried about riding in the mountains though, and on the roads, but how hard can it be? I'm sure it's just a case of getting used to it, and since Meri is also a novice, we can learn together! It's always fun when you're learning with someone. So watch this space for further news of my biking endeavours.

The picture is of the bike I want to buy, minus the basket I will put on it for convenience.