Monday, January 30, 2012

Wear it Out, Use it Up......

My wife and been asking me for several months if I wanted a new stationary bike.  I tend to only ride it when the weather is bad outside either with wind, rain, or if it's too hot for me to go jogging.  On occassion if I got home late from work and it was getting dark I would also jump on the old bike for some exercise.  The old bike had been my grandparents and was very uncomfortable.  The seat hurt, it felt like it was too close to the pedals and the speedometer didn't function anymore.  Resistance was added by turning a knob which pushed a small wheel down on the bike tire.  But the bike worked and I hate to replace something that is still functioning although in this case it was functioning poorly.

About six months ago I noticed fine black shavings on the ground after I did my hour and fifteen minute ride.  Looking at the old tire I could see it starting to crack and knew it was just a matter of time.  Last Monday it had been raining forcing me inside.  About 20 minutes into the ride a large chunk came off the tire.  Then about every minute after that another chunk joined it until about 45 minutes into the ride and the whole tire came apart and flew off.  Fortunately, no children or animals where harmed during the workout.  Without the tire there was no more resistance other than the centrifical force created by the wheel and so I spent 15 more minutes riding just to cool down.  Saturday, I sadly carried the old bike to the dumpster and picked up the major chucks of rubber.  All that remains are the fine rubber shavings of the old stationary bike.  RIP.

I was hoping to keep it going a few more months until after everyone quit their new year's resolutions and decided to get rid of their new exercise bike.  If their is anything I am more relunctant to do than throwing out an old but still functioning bike it's purchasing a brand new one at retail price.  But Craigs list has not had anything decent so I may have to bite the bullet.

If you know anyone that is getting rid of their stationary bike, send them my direction.  On the plus side, how many people can brag that they wore out a stationary bike with their workouts!!!

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