Chronicles of a rookie bicycle rider

Ever since I arrived in America I have been dying to get my hands on a bicycle for more reasons than one. I guess it's partly due to the fact that my bicycle riding childhood was partially non-existent due to South Africa's unsafe roads, and also partly because I am currently car-less and have been starved of freedom for longer than I can bare.

This afternoon my South African friend and I made it our mission of the day to find ourselves bicycles, and Walmart did not disappoint. After a few laps around the store and many sideways glances from shoppers, we made them our own. 

Shoving 2 large bikes into one smallish car caused me to go limp from laughing. Never a dull moment. Never. 

This evening at sunset I took that puppy for it's first spin in the hood, and it rides like a charm. Most excited for the adventures that await Janice and I as we explore Redding on two-wheels. I predict laughs, grazes and many trips to the Starbucks "drive-through." 

So here's to sore bums, legs of steel, and saving the world one environmentally friendly mode of transportation at a time.

I want to ride my bicycle

While in the Midlands this week, I visited many antique shops and came across some absolutely gorgeous vintage bicycles, and in my opinion, the more rust and the more chipped paint they had, the more character they oozed.
I've always been a lover of bicycles, especially those from a different era that seem to have their own story to tell; of people, of places and of distant journeys.
I have so many memories of my own that involve bicycles. Learning to ride, getting my first bicycle and cycling aroung the city of Adelaide in Australia with good friends in the pouring rain.
I am on the hunt now for two bicycles. I want to find one that is dilapidated, yet an antique so that I can use it as a display piece in my home or garden. The other I want to find is a genuine, old school, fully functional vintage bicycle with a bell and a basket that I can use to cycle around the neighbourhood, ride to the beach with my surfboard under my arm, and carry flowers in its basket.
If anyone knows where I could find any pretty bicycles like this, don't be shy to leave your comments.

(click on images for source)