Bike shopping. On one hand, it’s been five years since I shopped for a new bicycle. On the other, I do it every day. Every time I pass a rack-full, I spy sweet rides. Recently, knowing there’s a purchase in my future, I’ve started staring hard at nearly every bike I pass, wondering, Is that the ONE?

My current bike –the tank– was a nervous purchase from the Cambridge Police Auction. Nervous because I hadn’t owned a good bike since the Columbia of my childhood, nervous because I wasn’t really sure I wanted to ride in the city (shooting down Bolyston, center-lane, with a yowling cat perched on your shoulder, anyone?) I told myself that I wouldn’t chance a new bike unless I proved to myself that I was really going to ride. It took a while, but the challenge has been met.

A confirmed maker-of-lists for all purposes and situations, I have taken the opportunity to compose a wish-list that I’ve, so far, given to my favorite bike mechanic/sales-lady for review. I’d like to think she was impressed by my nerd-acity (new word, just made that up.)

Phoebe Needs A New Bike

What I’m looking for:

• Use: daily commute/weekend rides
• Light enough to carry up flight of stairs daily
• Faster than current mountain bike hybrid
• Rear rack included
• Preferably includes fenders
• Interested in drop handlebars (or feature that promotes good wrist posture)
• Discrete (fade from the eyes of thieves)

What I ride now:

• Raleigh mountain bike hybrid
• Heavy!
• Ugly (a plus!)
• Bad breaks
• Rack & fenders

It’s funny, the very things I expected to dislike about city cycling, or at least find uncomfortable, have turned out to instead number among my favorites. For example, biking in the rain (bonus: doing it in January.)

When I first started bike commuting, I avoided riding in the rain. I mean, who wants to be wet? And cold? Wet and cold on the crowded Boston streets, tires kicking up grime, cars honking and driving too close. That swishing sound as they slosh past. On one of my first rides, I recall whining to a friend whose house I was departing and his expression of sympathy. At the, I remember thinking, crossly, whatever! He doesn’t care!

And then I got out there on the SouthWest Corridor, my tires singing that low, splashy song. Everything smelling a bit brighter. I noticed the pretty little spray created by my front and wear wheels. I realized that I practically had the path, the city, to myself. And I experienced an attitude adjustment (like what the teachers warn about in middle school.)

Truth be told, I don’t love all the rainy days -and sleet just plain hurts! But if it’s a mild January evening and I’m heading out for that six-mile stretch from Cambridge to Jamaica Plain, sure.  Get a little magic of the clean, quiet city along the way . . .  I’m down for the ride.

Admittedly, this is me in my summer gear . . .

This Monday I set out on bike. It was cold but fresh, and I took the opportunity to snap a photo along the Southwest Corridor bike path that I’ve been meaning to capture ever since some enterprising stencil artist set it down.

Each year, I stretch my cycling season further into the winter.  I’ve been giving a fair amount of lip service to obtaining winter woolens and studded bike tires. Once the snow and ice hit, however, it’s anyone’s guess how often you’ll see me on the path and roads.