how it all began...

The last time I remember riding a bike (and really enjoying it) had to be at least a decade and a half ago. I remember barreling around my small hometown and zipping down the biggest hill I could find only to walk my Huffy back up to try it again (this time, no hand-braking!). I could circle a single building for hours, watching the light change and feeling the wind lash through my hair and tickle my neck. I was happy. And on that bike, I could fly.

Fast forward to 2009. I found myself in metro Boston, sans car, walking to work every day with my enormous handbag, gym bag, nylon grocery bag, Michael Kors coat and LL Bean duck boots to the tune of my cellphone ringing (which I was often unable to locate in my multiple carryables). A fateful day not too long ago, I decided that I had had enough of the sore back; that the 5-mile roundtrip was wreaking havoc on my shins and my sanity; and that stocking up at Trader Joe's was becoming more and more difficult. That day, I started shopping for a bike.

Disappointments abounded as perfectly pleasing bikes were sold from right under my nose-the vintage Schwinns and Raleighs that I stayed up to all hours researching and salivating over (between frequent visits to eBay) were always the first to go. And then-with a lot of finagling and a frenzied trip to Central Square with a roll of cash in pocket-I zipped away with a Raleigh 3 speed in cocoa, only to get nearly creamed on my first ride down Mass Ave during rush hour. My first ride was terrifying. And then I felt it. The wind lashing through my hair and tickling my neck. The sun beaming on me. And the feeling that with an open bike lane, I could fly.

So this blog is a bit about my foray into owning a bike again and a lot about melding style, functionality, and joie de vivre on the road. After all-as my mom might say if she were more fond of pithy aphorisms-nothing makes the world smile quite like a cute girl on a bicycle.