New Set of Wheels

With the gyms closed, but bike shops still opened, and all my summer travel plans cancelled (IE I’m not dropping a ton of $$$ on vacations anymore) I figured now was the best time to finally get a tricycle.

I have been thinking about getting a trike for a while, but our summer schedules had been so busy I did not think I would get as much use out of it and we had some expensive trips planned.  I prefer to space out my spending, so I put this purchase on hold.  BUT with all those expenses cancelled I had some money burning a hole in my wallet so I figured I would support a local business and purchase a new set of wheels.

We drove out toward Vermont to Tomhannock Bike Shop.  I gave a test run to their sample model of a Sun tricycle.  The seat is plastic and is like a real seat, not like a bike seat.  I liked the trike, but not so much the seat.  It felt like I had less control to balance myself when I was riding.  They only had the one option for the trike and I liked it enough so I decided to order the 7 speed in Metallic Mint and mentioned that I needed to add some tassels for extra flair.

A week after ordering the trike, Patrick and I went back to the shop to pick it up and put finishing touches on my customization like getting a different bike seat.  When I was riding a bike and when I have been to spin classes I liked the really thin bike seats.  The man helping me came out with something pretty wide and cushy which I immediately rejected.  I had him put the thinnest saddle on the trike and I went for a spin in their parking lot… and it hurt.  A lot.  So we swapped it out for a seat a little bigger.  Also uncomfortable.  So we tried the saddle that he originally suggested and it was just right.

Once I got my seat in order, I went inside to pick out my helmet, a bell, a lock, and of course, tassels!  We got the trike totally decked out, loaded it in the bed of Patrick’s truck, and headed home with short detours to Popeye’s for lunch and WalMart hoping to find T.P. (this adventure was at the beginning of quarantine during the toilet paper shortage).

When we got home I could not wait to take my new wheels out for a spin!  I told Patrick it was time to make all the 5 year olds in our neighborhood jealous.  I got on the trike to go out on a run/ride with Patrick.  As we passed our neighbor who was in her driveway putting her three daughters in the car, the youngest one of the bunch, probably age four, whispered to her mom, “mommy, I really like that bike!”  Mission accomplished.