Dutch Bicycles?

[MWaldorf]

Jim,

For what it's worth, I hadn't been on a bicycle in over 20 years when I got my cruiser. I specifically set it up so I can touch the ground while seated on the bike - lower than it's supposed to be for optimal pedalling, but pretty high on the comfort level for me riding around town.

Also, I have a friend who started on weight watchers at the beginning of the summer, he started in similar condition and he's down 60 lbs. He's been walking and biking, so don't be afraid to get "back in the saddle"

Good luck,
Mel

[JimPage]

Hey, Paul and Mel--

Thanks for the kind words and wise guidance. I do believe I'll start the Weight Watcher's thing; they has some kind of arrangement at the medical college where I work.

I get impatient sometimes, as Bob Shade could verify!

I'll keep you posted!

--Jim

[Olav]

Jim, sorry to get here so late, your Dutch friends don't often visit the OffTopic section...
Cycling would help you lose weight too. So there's a bit of a dillemma involved I guess. Wait till you drop a few pounds or drop a few by cycling...
If you're not comfortable cycling and feel you might need to 'eject' from the bike to avoid injury by falling off it, cosider this type of bike;

This is an 'Opoefiets' or 'Grandmabike' which is and has been all the rage among young and old in Holand for decades.
Paul will verify I am not kidding you, so will Oigun or Saf or any other Dutchy you might propose the matter to.
The one you're looking at here is an exceptionally cool one coz it's got the wire handbrake, also you can tell by the way the 'pakjesdrager'/luggagerack is bent outa shape this bike has some serious mileage on it. probably some guy has had his girl on the back for years, common to pick up a girl from her parents house and offer her a ride on the back of your bicycle. Again; I kid you not.
These bike go for a couple hundred from the big 'decent' brands, webshops and hardware stores offer a lesser quality bike for around €150-175. I haven't got a clue as to what shipping a bike might cost. They weigh around 15-20 kg, so that might just be expensive... These are easy to take apart and re-assemble though so package size shouldn't be a deal breaker.
Google for 'opoefiets' or 'omafiets' if you wanna see some more.
Goodluck quitting the smokes! More power to ya!

[JimPage]

Hey, Olav--

I like that a lot. I was looking at one of those before I had my mishap on the Trek bike last week!

Thanks--

--Jim

[Veenture]

It's all true what Olav says...trouble is they get stolen quite quickly over here, if you're not careful
Ya gotta chain 'em to your bedpost when you turn in at night

[oigun]

Hey Jim,
We have a great bikeshop here in Haarlem.
http://www.tmannetje.nl/

Would be nice to take this one for a spin don't you think?
This is the traditional dutch transportbike: