Bike Ride

I bought myself a new bike last night. Mario got me one for Christmas a couple years ago. I think he paid around $30 for it on clearance. The chain fell off after about 2 uses. I guess you get what you pay for!

All week I have been researching new bikes for Mario. With gas prices at $4.50, he now rides his 8 year old bike with gears that don't work to school everyday. Fortunately it is only 2 miles away and he can glide down the big hills. But on the way home, he has to go up those big hills. In my eyes, that is a huge problem. But for Mario who has 3 boys to send on missions and four kids to send to college, spending money is a hard for him (especially when it is for himself.) He thinks he can make this old bike work. I tried to take it to a bike shop and ask them how much it would cost to repair. Basically every component on the bike (besides the frame) needs to be replaced. Needless to say, that would be more than we paid for this bike 8 years ago. I decided I wanted to get Mario a new bike for Father's Day and his birthday. See if its a gift, he has to accept it and not complain. But after researching and talking to friends who are real bikers, they said I need to spend a few hundred dollars at least to get him a decent bike. I have been researching and have found nothing yet. Most nicer bikes start at $300 and go up to thousands of dollars. I had no idea.

I decided that I didn't need an expensive bike for myself so, I went to Target last night and bought myself a $150 Schwinn bike. A friend has one like it and is happy with it. I took it for a 12 mile bike ride today and found myself hating the bike and wanting a $300 bike like the ones I have been researching. I don't know if I can justify spending so much money on a bike but I was thinking of all the gas I could save by riding my bike all around Monterey especially when the twins start school in August. Monterey is the perfect place for riding bikes. It has miles and miles of beautiful bike trails that run along the beach. So for Father's day, I may buy myself a good bike. Mario says he's ok with that. See how he doesn't mind if I spend money, he just doesn't like to spend it on himself. Maybe I will give him my Target bike. It has to be better than his old bike. Good thing he just got a big raise when he pinned on Major!