Forty-four

I got a shiny new bicycle for my birthday today.

It's the fourth generation of a tradition started by the avocado green banana-seater I learned to ride on, the Sears Free Spirit 10-speed I got when I was 10, and a hybrid bike I had (and crashed) back in the early 1990s.

I ordered my new bike online, quickly realized upon delivery Friday that this contraption's assembly was beyond me, and hustled it down to the Bicycle Sport Shop to have them work their magic. I picked it up this evening.

This machine has some cool features: A chain guard to keep pants from ripping to shreds, fenders, a rack on the back, and a little dynamo that lights up both front and back lights. It also has a "comfort" seat. To paraphrase Freddie Mercury: fat-bottomed boys will be riding today, so look out...

I live quite close to an extensive network of hike and bike trails here in Austin, and I've been thinking that it's a shame I don't take advantage of it. Not sure where this thing will take me, but I've been toying with the idea of commuting to work by bike every once in a while. It should only take about 20 more minutes each way -- still less time than it takes to ride the bus between home and work, but way more exercise.

Stay tuned.