I bought a bike last August and it's a 7 speed. I told the guy I didn't need all those gears. I really like mine.

I want so badly to be able to bike ride again. DH and I would love riding the dismal swamps. So far I have not been able to find a seat that doesn't hurt. Yes, I've tried one of the big comfort seats but doesn't help. Maybe having such short legs doesn't make it easy.

I have a trike I bought at a specialty bike shop. My husband has a cruiser style single speed that I love, it's very good looking and perfect for him, we got it at Academy sports. He gets so many compliments.

I have no idea about bikedirect. My bikes came from bike shops. Actually one I bought the frame online, but had it built up at a bike shop, to my specifications.

The trike I thought I wanted is an ICE trike from here: http://www.icetrikes.co/explore-our-trikes/adventure

super comfortable, super expensive, and I talked myself out of it. But, my buddy Mel has one, and LOVES his.

Moni

Moonie:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

lucillle - thank you for the link. I will read it more thoroughly later on but one thing I did take away from the article is the problem with the sit bones. Thanks!

The bicycle was delivered a few days ago. I was apprehensive about putting it together, but after looking at a few you tubes of the process, was able to do so in about 30 minutes. It took another 15 minutes to switch out the bicycle seat that came with it for a nicer one I had.

I ordered a new air pump- the one I have has a broken gauge but it was fine for airing up tires on the trike. This bike has thin little road tires, so it is more important to get the pressure right.

I wish the senior center had a bicycle rack to chain one's bike to, but they don't. I may ask whether the city could put one in. I read an article one time about bicycles as transportation, and in some countries even much older seniors ride bicycles; I think that is good for health and independence (and it is fun).

It is an unfortunate fact of modern life that bikes in many places need to be locked up. My son stopped at Taco Bell a few years ago and leaned his bike outside where he could see it. Apparently in the few minutes it took him to look down at his cell phone to check a message, it was stolen.

And, as many will testify, in urban areas where one leaves a bike unattended, state of the art protection is required because bike thieves can clip through an ordinary lock in under a minute.

I use a thick chain and lock, sometimes a u-lock also, and hope for the best.