So a year or so ago, I was presented with a Hercules bicycle. It’s a really reliable cycle and stood me in good stead over quite a few long trips that I made. Of course, by the end of the trip, every muscle of mine would be strained, but at least I was getting some good exercise in the bargain (and burning more calories too).
But I figured that it was time to upgrade. Especially seeing folks talk lovingly about their Treks and Meridas made me also think of taking a step up in the cycling world. Of course, it’s always difficult to make that decision. Which bike to buy?
~ Road or MTB or hybrid?
~ How much should I spend on a bike?
~ Which brand? Trek/Merida/Cannondale/Bianchi/Hero/Firefox?
So as you can see, it wasn’t easy reaching a decision. I had ridden a borrowed hybrid bike once on a long trip and found it really smooth and comfortable. As the Duathlon event came closer, I thought it was high time I finally got myself a bike. So I mailed the nice boys at Bums and Saddle to check if they could procure one for me. After a few mail exchanges, it seems they were getting a consignment of the Trek 7100.
Rohan Kini of BOTS fame (a very nice young man, I must add!) even sent me the link of his review of the 7100 so I was already convinced. It is always easier to make up one’s mind when someone else has already done the homework.
Then a few days later he said he might not have the bike in my frame size after all. Rather dejected, I decided that I would give the Duathlon a miss.
And then on the Wednesday before the event, I get a mail saying the bike was ready and in the size I needed!
I was thrilled to bits.
I went to the store and checked out the bike. Sleek, sexy and very smooth.
And then on Saturday, the day before the Duathlon, I was at the BOTS store at 11 am to pick up my brand new bike. Looking at the queue there, it seemed like there were many more people waiting for their bikes too.
Siddharth and Vasu tinkered with the bike and fixed the height and other cool devices like a tail-light :-) I got myself a helmet and a lock and I was all ready to take on the world. Or the road, to start with.
The traffic is pretty scary out there but I am hoping I get used to it after a while. I am going to make a brave attempt to cycle to work once in a while. And ride longer distances at least once a month. And cycle to Cubbon Park on one day of the weekend.
So here I am — the proud owner of a Trek 7100. Yippee! And here’s to much more cycling :-)
Useful Links
Wheelsports
Bums and Saddle
Bangalore Bikers Club
Ride a Cycle Foundation
Congratulations!!! Its indeed a tuff task, to look out for the cycle which suits, its easy getting a bike or car.… It took me 2 months and lots of search work to finalize on my cycle. Happy riding :)
Posted by DJ | June 23, 2009, 2:13 amI was at BOTS on the Saturday before the duathlon and saw the bunch of 7100s all fixed up! You are right on about Rohan and Nikhil — and they don’t forget you after you buy the bike! I bought a Target from them, 7100 was not available but I would have gone for the cheapest one anyway:)
Posted by Jayadeep Purushothaman | June 23, 2009, 5:01 am@ DJ: yes, it took me quite a few months too. plus, they don’t come cheap!
@ jayadeep: yup, they just got a big consignment delivered :-) i hope they don’t forget. i am sure i’ll need a lot of help!
Posted by anita | June 23, 2009, 10:12 amhehe :) thank you.
Im glad we got you the bike just before the duathlon !
Posted by ROhan Kini | June 24, 2009, 12:50 amhey anita, its good to see that you’re still bloging… i’d come across your blog some 3/4 yrs back, and just typed your name in and voila!
i want to buy a bike too, could u give some more details about this one when u have the time?
thanks!
Posted by natasha zarine | June 24, 2009, 3:15 pmoh great! Looking forward for more riding bike stories & pics!
Posted by Paavani | June 25, 2009, 8:31 amCongratulations for your new bike. I have been following your blog for about 4 years now. First time dropping a comment. Way to go with your photographing, running, biking, eating out, catty,books and blogging. (Hope din miss anything)!!!
Since you kind of like eating out and trying cuisines, you might find my blog on cocktails an intersting one. Do check it out!!
Posted by Shank | June 25, 2009, 12:28 pmgreat! congrats!
my desire to cycle around has not been fulfilled since 17 yrs now! (before that I used to cycle around)
city dwelling has some really big disvadantages. but i need to get myself a bicycle too! can you suggest some parameters based on which you shortlisted your bike?
Posted by Twilight fairy | June 25, 2009, 2:31 pmCongratulations :)
Posted by Prasoon | June 27, 2009, 7:19 amCongratulations :)
Posted by Divs | June 30, 2009, 11:38 pmoops, i just realized my comment xeroxed the Prasoon one!
Posted by Divs | June 30, 2009, 11:40 pm@ rohan: thank you, thank you!
@ natasha: hey great to see you back! mine is a trek 7100. you can drop into the BOTS website (links below the post) to check out options. most stores also allow you to test them out.
@ Paavani: yeah, looks like there will be more of those!
@ Shank: thanks! 4 years and first comment. wow :0) will definitely try out your blog. i got a cocktail shaker on my bday and want to try cocktail recipes now :0)
@ Twilight fairy: it’s never too late! the city is not the ideal place so the best thing is to escape from here. the good thing about bangalore is that there are many places like that. you need to cycle a few kms and you’re out of the main city area! i wanted a good bike for the roads and some off road. so i went in for a hybrid. alternatively, there are mountain bikes and road bikes (these go really fast and are also very expensive!). after looking at different brands, i settled for trek, mainly because the hybrid version was available in trek.
@ Prasoon: thanks!
@ Divs: it did! but no worries. thanks :0)
Posted by Anita | July 1, 2009, 1:27 pmCongrats. So when are we going for a ride?
Posted by Thejesh GN | July 3, 2009, 2:27 pm@ thej: tomorrow? ;-p
Posted by Anita | July 4, 2009, 4:39 pmcheck this out all u cycling freaks
http://www.google.com/notebook/public/04347993769160112690/BDRkjSwoQ6Zbam80h
Posted by cs | July 9, 2009, 6:11 pmHey, it’s nice to read about your cycling trips.
John
Posted by John P. Matthew | March 23, 2011, 2:41 pm