Bicycling

... the bike you bought is an attractive bike from an eclectic, retro vintage, pretty paint job point of view; but I have to ask... Is there a reason that you didn't opt for a bike with a few more gears? Is one speed really going to be enough for you?... (It is a one speed, isn't it?)

I live in a rural farming community and use my mountain bike almost daily; winters included. I use it to ride to the post office, to the local little store, to friends' houses in the neighborhood, to the cemetery at sunset... to the canal in the summer months for irrigation purposes, the canyon foothills for arrow head hunting or plinking cans on the outskirts of town...

I have two bikes that I bought brand new; an old 1984 Fuji Del Rey Special Edition road bike with Shimano components, and a 1990 Shogun Prairie Breaker mountain bike with Shimano Deore XT throughout. The mountain bike is my main source of transportation outside of my car. It's like an extension of my body and it provides me with a feeling of freedom that I can't imagine living without. I wouldn't mind owning a newer bike with more gears but my 21 speed mountain bike is still in great shape and gets me where I need to go. The 18 speed Fuji touring bike remains, for the most part, in storage.

The point of this meandering soliloquy is that I rely heavily on the ability to shift gears, up or down, while getting around on my bike. I'm just wondering if trading in your new cruiser and replacing it with an 18, 21 or 27 speed bike with fat tires and a comfortable touring seat might not be a better idea for you, and one to consider.

I have a bike helmet and always wear it in an urban setting but rarely in the country. No mirror but not a bad idea. Lights for night riding are also a very good idea but for now, I don't have them.

I'm actually a fan of helmets. I laid down one of my motorcycles (Kawasaki Ninja) while wearing a helmet and lived to tell about it. There was a big chunk of the helmet missing where the helmet hit the asphalt. Safety gear is always a good idea.

I think your bike purchase is a wonderful idea and I'm happy for you. I just think that you might not stick with riding once you begin to realize the limitations of a one speed bicycle.

Please understand that I'm not trying to discourage you about your new bike. I'm actually very happy for you. The best bike to own is the one you're riding.

TYY