Dutch Bicycles?

[JimPage]

Hey--

This isn't just off-topic, it's WAAAAAAAAAY off-topic!

We have some friends on this forum who live in the Netherlands who I hope can provide guidance to me, and it can be by private message or email, if the moderators prefer.

Anyway, I was looking for a used or cheap utilitarian bike like the ones you see in Holland: almost always painted black, with the covered chain, three speeds, upright riding posture. They are not common here in the US.

Could they be purchased in Holland and shipped here? Would the customs rate preclude such an idea?

I am on step four of a multi-part get-back-in-shape program, and this bike idea is part of that effort. Quitting smoking was the hardest step so far.

Many thanks!

--Jim

[Mr. Bill]

Congrats on quitting smoking! It was the hardest thing that I ever did.

[MWaldorf]

Jim,

Are you talking about a beach cruiser?



At least here in California, you can get them at Target, Walmart, etc, as well as bike shops starting around $150. I've got a 1957 Montgomery Ward bike I found on craigslist that I upgraded with a 5 speed internal hub. I kept the coaster brakes though.



Mel

[JimPage]

Hey!

What worked for me-- and I was a smoker for over 40 years-- was beginning those electronic cigarettes for a month, while still smoking regular cigarettes, then gradually cutting out the regular ciggies, then tapering off the e-cigs. So the whole process took three or four months.

Friday, March 19th, at 9pm was the last real cigarette and Friday, May 7th, was the last e-cig.

But do I still want a cigarette? OH, YEAH!!!

--Jim

[JimPage]

Mel asked:

>>Are you talking about a beach cruiser?

The Dutch bikes, the beach/retro-style cruisers, and the Townie-style are the three I am considering. I have scheduled half a day at the bike shop in College Park, MD, to try out the styles.


Recumbent bikes are definitely high on the "dork" factor. That and the fact that they're harder to see while driving a car make them a no-go in my book.

I find the beach cruisers have the most comfortable ride because the wider tires offer more shock absorption. The wider tires have also been a help in avoiding getting caught it ruts in the road, street level rail tracks and the like.

Also, congrats on quitting smoking - smart move for health and all the money you would have spent on cigarettes you can save towards guitars!

Mel

[Mr. Bill]

But do I still want a cigarette? OH, YEAH!!!

That stage lasted about 5 years for me. Cigarette smoke still smelled good and sweet and enticing.

Now it makes me ill. I can drive down a street with my windows wide open and if there is a smoker in the car ahead of me, I can smell the smoke.

[Veenture]

I had my wake-up call about 18 years ago to stop smoking...I always carried a pouch of cigarette tobacco on me (for making home rolled cigs, like sooo many dutchies do) as well as a packet of Camels, just in case I ran out of one or the other until one day the family doctor diagnosed me with Chronic Bronchitis. (I was having sleepless nights coughing away -tormenting the wife too, in a BIG way, so I 'slept' in another room).
OK, so I looked up 'Bronchitis" in my old Pears Encyclopedia to learn some more about it and the first sentence just bluntly read..."get the patient to stop smoking"...
I'll spare you the details but I never touched one single cigarette since...and in my mind strangely, have never really quit smoking...and I don't bear down on smokers either, like so many quitters have done! I feel a freed person though

Jim, show us a picture of the Dutch bike you have in mind (you may have to do some googling?)

Could one on ebay be an option for you? http://cgi.ebay.nl/28-Zoll-Holland-Herr ... 3efa7b97af

-Paul

[JimPage]

Hey, Paul--

That eBay auction shows exactly the kind of bike I was thinking of.

Problem is: I left the office early today to try a few bikes. At the first shop, the sales person gave me one to try and I almost broke my freaking neck on the dang thing. It was a hybrid with the seat way too high and the top bar was, too.

The folks driving by on Route One must have gotten some laughs as I threw myself off the thing to avoid falling headlong into oncoming traffic!!!

It was hideously frightening and I am going to table the idea until I lose some weight. I am 6'1" and 300 pounds at 58 years old and cannot be described as frisky or spry.

So thanks for the info, but I am going to lose 100 pounds before I revisit this idea! Bad thing is, I am not a big eater; I gained this weight rather rapidly due to a severe thyroid disorder after being painfully thin all my life, and it is tough to lose the weight.

--Jim

[Veenture]

Jim, that is tough.
If you're gonna cycle, remember to have the saddle-height adjusted in such a way that your legs can never stretch to the max as you pedal; i.e. there should always be a slight angle at the knee joint when the pedal is in the down position.
The right size frame matters too!
Good luck.

[Haole Jim]

Congrats on dumping cigarettes!!!!!

Getting healthier must be in the air, 'been at it too. Personal bike preference is a 1987 Schwinn Sierra 18-speed "mountain bike."