| I remember when I went with my dad to the local | | | | I think that for a lot of people, bicycles hold some |
| bike shop to pick out my first bike. I was so excited. | | | | sort of sentimental value, which is why it usually |
| I remember looking up at walls and walls of bicycles | | | | takes some time and deliberation to choose one out. |
| in all shapes, sizes and colors. When you walked in | | | | Once you get old enough to purchase your bicycle, |
| the door, there were tall ceilings line forever with | | | | things can become a lot more technical, especially if |
| neat rows of bicycles and the smell of new rubber | | | | you're planning on using your bicycle for more than |
| permeated throughout the entire building. I walked | | | | the leisurely ride in the backyard or around the |
| around with my father for a while and he allowed me | | | | neighborhood. Bikes can range in size as well as in |
| to gravitate towards certain bicycles. It was neat | | | | price. For instance, some people will actually spend |
| because, unlike, other stores, you were actually | | | | upwards of $1,000 to purchase a lightweight "road |
| allowed to touch the stuff in here. I felt the | | | | bicycle". If you're planning on buying a new bicycle, |
| handlebars and ran my hands along the banana seats | | | | know what you are going to plan on using it for. If |
| and through the streamers. Eventually, I found a | | | | you are planning on becoming a cyclist who races |
| bicycle that I liked and my dad exchanged a few | | | | road bikes, you'll be looking for a different bicycle |
| words with the sales guy in the store. Before you | | | | than someone who is planning on going mountain |
| knew it, the bicycle had been taken down and we | | | | biking or taking their kids out for a ride on the |
| were being led to the back of the store to the | | | | boardwalk. Usually, you can purchase bikes that are |
| parking lot where there were other people riding | | | | already assembled, but it's always a good idea to |
| around on bicycles. I was actually going to get a | | | | double check and make sure that this is the case. A |
| chance at test riding this bicycle! At the time, it had | | | | lot of the times, you'll end up having to assemble the |
| training wheels on it, but I remember it clear as day. | | | | bike, so be ready for it if that's the case. If you can |
| It was a purple, banana seat bicycle with streamers | | | | afford it, buy your bicycle from a "bike shop" versus |
| coming out of the handles. It rode really smoothly; I | | | | a discount store or some other store that happens |
| loved it. A few minutes later, my father was at the | | | | to sell bikes (ex: Target, Kmart) because the people |
| register paying for my first bicycle. I remember riding | | | | at a bike shop are generally qualified to deal with |
| my bicycle up and down the sidewalk with neighbors | | | | specific issues as it relates to bikes versus people in |
| as well as in my backyard on the patio. There were | | | | other stores who are more likely to give you their |
| so many good memories, including the day the | | | | opinion but not really know what they are talking |
| training wheels came off and I was able to balance | | | | about. |
| well enough on my own to finally ride solo. | | | | |