Introduction

I'm Noah. Three months ago, when my car started acting up, I jokingly said "I should just go buy a bicycle!"

I'd already been driving to a bus stop three miles from home to save a little money on gas, wear and tear on the car, and wear and tear on my nerves from the stressful Kansas City rush hour. It didn't take long, however, for that joke about buying a bike to make some sense. 3 miles to the bus stop and 3 miles back. That isn't too far for a daily bike ride.

Clueless, I wandered into several places. The local bike shop offered several really nice bikes, but they were out of my price range. I found some much more affordable bikes at department stores and sporting goods stores around town. "A bike is a bike, right?" That's what I thought. With that, I picked up a cheap bike from Wal-Mart and was on my way to a fun and inexpensive way to travel, with the benefit of better health. Six weeks later, the rear wheel on my cheap bike fell to pieces. I was left with newfound strength, some weight loss, a renewed passion for bicycle riding, and nothing to ride.

The adventure had begun. It was time to find a trusty steed that wouldn't let me down.