Getting a new bicycle.

Most people want gadgets, such as iPhones, iPads, laptops, gaming consoles, etc. I just wanted a bicycle.

Growing up in the 80's, I was one of those kids who spent lots of time playing outdoors instead of being cooped up inside the house. Before discovering the existence of Nintendo, my brother and I spent afternoons riding our bicycles up and down the street. I learned how to bike with training wheels, until my brother purposely took them out, forcing me to learn how to ride without them. Then I graduated to one of the bigger bikes, and never got tired of riding. Eventually I stopped riding bikes after 5th grade, and for the life of me, I still can't remember why.

The last time I rode a bike was 8 years ago, when a few friends and I went to CCP and spent the afternoon riding rented bikes until it got dark for us to see.

I've wanted a bike for the longest time. But not like the big, tall mountain bike that my brother last owned. It was tough to straddle, and even harder to sit on. I wanted a nice, simple ladies' bike where you don't have to raise your leg to high to mount it, plus you can wear a skirt while riding it.

This year, I finally decided to get one.

Because I work part-time in the mornings in Makati, I started my bike search in the places near where I work. Obviously, the bikes there are pretty expensive. But I didn't really want to go to Cartimar even though the bikes there are pretty cheap. I had almost decided on purchasing one in Park Square despite the steep price (plus delivery charge), until I remembered I saw the same kind of bikes in Toy Kingdom. Who knows, it might be cheaper there. It was, but there was still the hassle of bring it home to Las Pinas.

So I checked out Southmall. But while I was on the road, I was still on the lookout for little bike shops. I saw a couple of them along the way, but I was still thinking of the sports shops in the mall, plus Toy Kingdom as well. No such luck. No ladies' bicycles in sight.

After shift today, I finally decided to check out the Eleventh Bike Store, this tiny store (that looks like a hole in the wall, but crammed full of bicycles and accessories) along Alabang-Zapote road that I noticed the last couple of times I was on the bus ride home. They had a small kiddie ladies' bike on display, but sure enough, they have the bigger one as well, and it still had to be assembled. They only had it in pink, but by then, I didn't care what color it was anymore (I was initially aiming for a blue bike), as long as it's a ladies' bike with a basket in front (which was what they had). And it's almost half the price of the ones I found in Makati. So there, I decided right there and then to get it. Gave a small downpayment, and then Bing (the lady there that I had talked to) said that she'll contact me later this afternoon once it has been assembled.

Sure enough, I got a text from Bing this afternoon, telling me that the bike was already assembled, and that I can come get it. Upon arrival, there it was, waiting for me on the curb. I tested the seat, the tires, the brakes, etcetera, until I was satisfied. After my final payment, I hopped on the bike and rode it along Alabang-Zapote road all the way home.

Despite the fact that I'm in fear riding along a main road where all the cars, jeeps and buses are, it felt really good to be on a bicycle again. After a while, I had noticed that I was gripping the handlebars a little tightly, which explained why my left arm got tired easily. I relaxed after acknowledging it. I even rang the little bell a few times just for laughs. I realized that it was a nice workout for me, considering the distance that I had covered while pedaling that thing. I can't wait to use it more often, especially on Sundays.