A rusty old ride

I recently discovered an old bike in the back of our garden shed. Covered in cobwebs and rusted almost beyond repair. Almost... but not quite ;)

Bikes have never ever been my thing, it took me years to learn to ride and after a number of accidents on both regular bikes and motorbikes on my cousin's farm I'm super cautious of anything that requires balancing on two wheels.

However, those who know me well know just how much I love a challenge. In fact I'm generally the girl who chooses the hard road (rather than than the easy one) time and time again. Mid 2007 I camped for three months through Europe in rather rustic conditions. We fit two people into a one man tent! A few years later I again travelled, solo this time, on Euroline buses and packed in as much quality sightseeing as possible on a shoestring budget. On my visit to New York a friend gave me a book filled with cheap and FREE things to do in New York City. Still remember how outrageously excited I was. Must be one of the only girls in the world who wanted to go to New York and NOT spend money... hahaha.

Reading back through this I realise I sound like a total cheap-skate. But I honestly believe there's more to it than that. I like the challenge of conquering things on a budget. I like believing when there's a will, there's a way. I like the feeling of actually earning the right to enjoy an experience. Monetarily, physically, mentally and emotionally earning it.

In a nutshell I like a challenge I guess!

The point is, when I found this rusted up old bike I was excited. I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself. With a little help from my dad we got the brakes oiled up, scraped off a little rust and I took her for a spin. The seat's a little low and the chain clunks on and off regularly, but all in all the bike works. Will take longer to cycle to the train station than take the bus each way, but I am on a 'finding fitness' challenge after all.

So the plan is to buy myself a bike lock (hey, a girl's gotta spend SOME money!) ;) and cycle to the train station when I can. Due to my rather irrational bike riding phobia I will set the initial bike to train station goal as once a fortnight... As we push on towards the hot summer months I may feel the urge to substitute bike riding for something less sweltering. But keep posted for my cycling progress and updates. Wish me luck!