So, of the several projects I have set myself this year, one happens to be getting into slightly better shape. I figured the best way to do this would be to get back into bike riding - seeing as I loathe paid gyms (too much like PE class) and clubbing seems to have lost it’s allure.

I had hopes that my old 10 speed could be re-furbished. After almost being laughed at by the guy in the bike shop, I gave up on that particular hope. Seems a bent frame isn’t something they can make better… I used to have this habit of running into things. (Walls, trees, potholes, flower beds….)

So, I thought I could just buy a new bike similar enough to my old bike that it wouldn’t be too much of a shock. Keep in mind, I’ve never bought a new bike in my life. My last bike was purchased at a flea market when I was 15 for about $12. It was a trusty, reliable Schwinn 10 speed, and I wanted one just like it.

I think the guy at the bike shop was slightly offended when I told him my price range ($60-$150). I’ve never seen someone try to swallow their spleen before, but I’d swear that’s what he did - right before informing me that 10 speeds were no longer manufactured, and drop handled (I term I did not even know before today) street bikes had become “high performance” only - running at least $200-$600 on the low end. Of course, I could always try Toys-R-Us, he tells me - with the assurance that anything I bought there, whilst affordable, will most likely not be assembled correctly and wouldn’t even have a warrenty.

A warrenty? For a bike? I didn’t even know that was done! Now, ok, a guy running a bike shop is supposed to take bikes fairly seriously, but I’m not fond of walking out of a store feeling talked down to.

So, driving home a wee bit depressed, I’m wondering if I just have to suck it up and get a mountain bike form K-mart (Slightly less evil than going to Wal-Mart) when I think to myself, what about ebay?

Would you believe I found something that looks to be *exactly* what I was looking for? Well, I’ve bid on it. Now here’s hoping I actually get it.

So, I’ve got my first show this weekend. I swear, six moths ago this seemed like a really good idea - now I’m several thousand dollars poorer, my living room looks like a crafts booth exploded all over it (because it did), I’ve completely fallen off the edge of the planet (everyone I *haven’t* been communicating with for the last month - I’m very sorry.) and I fully expect to loose what shreds of sanity I have left by the end of the weekend. But I think it’s worth it - because I have to find out if I can really do this.