Today I set out to check out bicycles and learn some things. I went to two bike shops in town – Bike Gallery and River City Bicycles. I left both feeling overwhelmed and rather dejected.

I felt like my $500ish budget was HUGE, but obviously I don’t know jack about bicycles because that is what will buy you the cheapest bicycle at one of those shops, and not the kind that I want. The kinds I wanted (I think?) were closer to $1,000 and up. I mean the one I thought was awesome was over $4,000 and I could buy a new Vespa for that!

After pouting at home for a little while I decided to look on Craigslist. And then I nabbed this puppy:

For $180. 1973 Schwinn Suburban in java brown. It’s just been completely overhauled: new grease and bearings adjusted in wheels, headset and cranks, cables and cable housing replaced, brakes and derailleurs adjusted, new brake pads, new tires, chain cleaned and regreased, wheels trued.

And it’s exactly what I wanted.

I’ve named her Ramona, which is a fitting accompaniment to my scooter, Beezus. And if you are familiar with the Cleary series whose characters are the namesake of my bikes, you may know it is based in Portland. Aww so cute.

Ramona rides great, and is so lightweight. It’s a 10-gear but it shifts with levers, not a crank thingy on the handlebars. I like it bein all old school.

And here’s an awesome tip… on the Portland Online Transportation site you can download PDF maps of bike and walking paths to figure out a safe route. Or if you want to have a map with you when you go or just like paper maps like me, you can request them to mail you the maps. And they’re free – even the shipping.