tuesday's smiles -bikes for world peace

Hi y'all. I would like to introduce my new girl, Myrtle. She is my new riding pal.

Remember when I said I only liked sport-like activity in which you could where a skirt?

Well riding around on a cruiser style bike fits this category like a T. At least it does for me.

I picked Myrtle up this weekend after finding her on Craigslist for a great deal (and from another blogging home as it turns out.)

Barely used she is a vintage inspired gal with modern sensibilities. Just like me ( well I like to think...)

Which is what I need. Turns out I am not really an actual vintage bike kind of gal. I need a little more bulk than those sweet cute bikes from the 50's and 60's could provide. Turns out I am as hard on my bikes like I am on my phones and cars.

 So enter Myrtle. I dressed her up with a bell and a basket and hit the neighborhood sidewalks for a little cruisin.
 The last time I had a Huffy bike I was about seven or eight years old. She was called Pink Lightening and I loved her so very much. In fact she was the bike I learned to ride on. I can still remember my daddy running behind me across the grass on the playground of our apartment complex holding on as I peddled and then turning around and realizing I was doing it all by myself. That was a great moment.

I have only three other bikes since Pink, but I have never loved another one as much until Myrtle came along. Perhaps I am just a Huffy girl at heart.

A good sized basket is essential. I can put a water bottle, keys, cell phone and camera in mine. I could even pack a lunch if I was going far enough to warrant a picnic.While we were camping we hauled all our toiletries items and change of clothes to and from the bathhouses in a bike basket, so see they are super hand AND cute.

The more I ride my bike the more I think perhaps I am beginning to understand the sanguine natures of countries where traveling by bike is more common than cars. When you are riding a bike you can't help but still be your 10 year old self at heart.

Even now, at age 37-going-on- 38, coasting down a slow hill with the wind in my hair and the sun shimmering down through the trees is still one of the best feelings in the world. I am happy, unencumbered, alive, and very present in the moment and the moment only. It is a welcome break from the multi-tasking nature of almost every other part of my life.


Perhaps we don't need more peace talks. Perhaps we just need more bikes.