For the last couple years, I’ve wanted to purchase a bicycle. I had not ridden one since getting my drivers license. I love my car and could never stop driving altogether, but I’ve come to find that many short trips are better suited for a bike. The car is great for open roads, but not so fun when driving through the suburbs. The immediate area around my house is all stop and go traffic with vehicles entering and exiting the road constantly. It gives me a headache while burning precious gasoline.

My girlfriend, Jess, also has a bike. Unfortunately, she hasn’t had many opportunities to use it because I didn’t have one. I talk her into jogging or hiking so that we can both participate, because I certainly don’t want to be left at home while she’s out getting exercise. Getting a bike would allow us to exercise together, which means I get to spend more time with her.

Since about this time last year, I have been getting most of my exercise by jogging. I never liked jogging, but suffered through because I was losing weight and feeling much healthier. Unfortunately, my hate for jogging eventually won and I succumbed to laziness. I want to get back in shape, but I don’t want to do something that I’m going to hate. I’ve always loved riding a bicycle, so it seemed like the natural choice.

I did a lot of research on bicycles last year, but nothing became of it. By the time I got the cash together, it was getting ready to snow. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any of my old research or notes when I started looking for a bike again this year. So, on Saturday, I went up to my local sporting goods store and talked with the head of the bicycle department to learn as much as I could.

The guy I spoke with is named Kevin. He was very knowledgeable about bikes and actually commutes to work on one. He explained the difference between street, hybrid, and mountain bikes to me. After I described the types of places I would be riding, he suggested going with a mountain bike. And because of my height and build, we went with over-sized wheels and a 20″ frame. The bike I eventually settled upon was a Diamondback Overdrive 29′er. However, the stock seat was unbearable; I had them build it with an Avanir bike seat.

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