Once Upon a Time...

we lived in Colorado Springs, CO.  We enjoyed life there in the shadow of Pikes Peak.  It was there that I first experienced mountain biking.  I bought a mountain bike (one of the originals, it's probably an antique by now!) and started cycling with a friend in the cold, dark, early morning hours on streets that were like mountain roads (because we lived in the mountains, duh!).  But our lives abruptly changed one spring with a move to Houston, TX.   While I loved the heat and the humidity of the South, it did not foster an active lifestyle!  I got lazy - choosing instead to soak in the sun at the swimming pool or retreating into the cool, air-conditioned house when not at the pool.  Fast forward several years and we found ourselves relocating to Utah.  The altitude and extreme cold (remember, we had spent 12 years in southern Texas!) proved too much for me.  I did try skiing for a couple of years, but it wasn't the same as when I was in college.  

Fast forward again, September 2009.  Dave and I took a much needed vacation to Coronado Island. We had a fabulous time.  Our days were filled with sunshine, ferry rides, ocean breezes and each other!  One of the most fun activities was renting bikes and cycling around the island.  These were single speed cruiser bikes and I loved them! 
I dreamed about having a simple bike like that ever since. I did not want to hunch over handlebars anymore. I did not want to have to figure out what gear I was in.  I just wanted a bike to ride for the fun of it.  However, we live in the foothills and a single speed bike is very impractical, since the only place I really could ride it would be in my driveway!  Thoughts about My Bike increased in direct proportion to the thermometer outside - as the days became warmer, my desire for a bike got stronger.   We went looking "in earnest" on Saturday.  I even took some on test rides.  I came home and researched more.  And today, after careful consideration, I went and bought My Bike!  

Gary Fisher Simple City 8

Isn't it pretty?  The picture doesn't really show it, but the basket and the fenders are a soft, minty green.  I love it!  Everything about it is easy.  I am not technically savvy, so I can't write in detail about all of the cool features the Simple City has, like internal hubs and rapid trigger shifters, and stuff like that. But, I do know it is easy to ride and easy to shift.  It has eight gears so I can climb moderate hills - hopefully, that will get easier with practice!

Oh, and in my research I have discovered several paved bike trails relatively close by.  I'm looking forward to many fun times on my new bike!  I feel like a little kid, and it feels great!