On May 27,2010 I went to the local Wally Wally and bought an $88 Next MTB. Cheapest full size bike they had.
I rode it around the neighborhood a few times over the next few days. I bought a computer to track my rides and started going out every morning. Two or three miles to start with, then five and six. It was not fun. At 288lbs, a bad stomach, and completely out of shape, it was a major struggle.
Half way through my first long ride, an eight mile attempt, I nearly returned the bike, I was just across the street from where I bought it.
365 days, 12,002 miles, -70lbs, -10" in the waist. Best day, 126, best day average, 22mph, overall average, 14.9mph, three days over 100 miles. twenty days over 80 miles.
Next; $94, tax remember.
Used Huffy Savannah; $10, $30 repairs
Schwinn Varsity; free
Ironman MTB; free, $55 repairs
Schwinn Avenue; $204
Spalding ATB; $10
Sold Next; $50
Sold Huffy; $60
Sold Varsity; $75
Wreaked Avenue, wheel failed, Schwinn, Wally took care of it; Replaced with Schwinn Aluminum Comp, new tires and tubes, wheels trued, $NC.
Trek 720 MT; $40, repairs $155
Sold Schwinn Comp" $275
Still have Trek 720, Ironman, Spalding ATB
65 years old, take no regular medication, passed flight medical in March, married to retired model, retired, work one day a month, about three hours. Annual salary $42,000, plus teachers pension, National Guard pension, trust check. Home is paid for, car is paid for.
One daughter, five grand kids. Youngest grand daughter will be in ninth grade this fall, she is 11!
It was a very good year.