I Like to Ride my Bicycle

Yes, I have taken a bit of a break from writing my blog. I started this blog during COVID as a way to share recipes, keep my writing skills sharp and communicate with people! Since then I consider myself kind of retired. I teach water exercise class three days a week. During my free time I enjoy biking, reading and basically discovering new things I never knew I enjoyed. I started sewing again and am in the midst of making a quilt. Geoffrey got me started on doing Lego Flower kits. I never have been one for puzzles but I love Legos.

So today I am writing about my biking journey. Yes, I have an E Bike. Please don't hate me! It's a Peach Electra Townie. I am a safe rider and make sure to look out for cars and go a safe speed. After all I am 39 and I can't take chances like that! I also don't move if I don't pedal on my bike. What I am saying is that I get a very good work out on my groovy bike. It's my Georgia Peach. Of course the basket is yellow...what other color would it be?

If you follow me on Facebook you know that in a little over a year I have gone 1000 plus miles. I am officially at 1052 miles on my bike. Yes, I keep track of my daily miles as it motivates me to bike each day. I like to bike by myself-sometimes with friends and especially Vic but mostly by myself. Sometimes I bike after spending almost two hours in the swimming pool walking and teaching water exercise. I have most my energy in the morning hours and the temps and wind are most agreeable at that time as well. As you most likely figured I am in bed by 9PM most nights.

Why an E Bike?

I was previously very overweight. I was trying to exercise and lifting my leg over a "boy" bike was not easy at all. I even fell getting on and off my "boy" bike. I wanted to exercise and the wind and my immobility were not working with the bike I had previously owned. I tried an E bike and it gave me the ability to exercise and not worry about how strong the wind was and in Fargo most days the wind is strong. We purchased a step through model for me as it was the easiest way for me to get going.

Where did you get your bike?

In the past we had purchased all of our family bikes at Tom and Kari Smith's Bike Shop. They are family friends and they sell great bikes. But if you know me I am all about the color of a bike and for this bike I did purchase it at Paramount Sports. Another great shop.

How far will my bike go? The farthest I have biked in a single ride is 29 miles. I think my bike could go around 75 miles if I could go that long. Some variables that affect how long the battery lasts include weight and the wind and of course, the setting of the pedal assist.

Where do I bike? I have a couple of set routes but I change it up.

Route 1: we call the Larry Route as it goes by Larry's house. It can be 7 miles or 21 miles depending how far I decide to go on a given day.

Route 2: Sanford Wellness Route: This is where I teach water exercise class. I will bike out to Wellness and lift weights and bike home. This is 18 miles round trip.

Route 3: Oak Grove Route: We go across the bridge at Lindenwood and head north through Moorhead and cross back over to Fargo at...you guessed it...Oak Grove and head back home. This trip is 10 miles.

Route 4: The YMCA Route: this route takes me to the downtown Y and back for a total of 4 miles. I swim at the Y.

Yes, I have taken a fall. I don't recommend biking after it rains. Especially don't bike in the "Love Tunnel" (sans Lincoln Tunnel) after a rain. It's wet and slightly slippery. Mud is not your friend.

Why do I bike?

I bike because it clears my head. I like listening to the sounds of Fargo and the sounds of Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton, Barry Manilow and other hits from the 70's as I bike. No headphones-did I mention what a safe biker I am? I also bike because it helps me stay healthy. I have lost over 105 pounds since purchasing my bike. My favorite bike rides are the ones I take with Vic. We both have the same type of E bikes. It makes sense. I also bike because it gives me something to do. Retirement is great but you do need to keep busy and have activities scheduled as one can not watch HGTV all the time.

That's it!