Did you ever just “know” that something you just acquired would change your life as you know it in a major way the second you received it? I did just that yesterday, when I purchased a Vortex Mountain Bike made by Pacific Cycle, the Parent Company of Mongoose. The bike has 21-speeds, a 26-inch wheel base, a fully loaded swing arm, and a dual suspension system. To me – all of that means nothing. All I know is that it had a nice color scheme, it was comfortable – and that it was a good bike because Woody came with me to make sure that I would get a good one – and thanks to him – I did..

This all started when Woody and Michelle surprised me at my house about three weeks ago to show me their new bikes they just purchased. As soon as I saw the bikes – and realized the possibilities that came with them – the idea of buying a bike of my own was instantly planted in my head – and began to grow like a seed. Then, I was at Woody’s house Tuesday night and I was ready to head home. Seeing how beautiful the night was – and eager to “test drive” my idea of buying my own bike – I asked Woody if I could borrow his bike to go home, promising that I would take it in the house with me. He agreed – and I bought a bike of my own at noon the next day.

I haven’t been on a bike since 1997, but I have ridden bikes all my life. Many, many Summer days would find me biking down Bedford Avenue – a pristine tree-lined boulevard of very expensive homes that cuts right through the middle of Brooklyn North-to-South – letting the day take me where it wanted. Sometimes, I would wind up in Coney Island, chain up my bike, and go on a few rides. Sometimes, I would visit relatives and enjoy some quality family time. Sometimes I would bike to my favorite Chinese restaurant for their Spicy Shredded Beef – and sometimes – I went nowhere. This time, I went home – and it was the greatest ride home I ever experienced.

As soon as I put my foot on the pedal and pushed off, I already knew that my idea of purchasing a bike was a good one. And as I pedaled on, feeling the joy of whizzing down moonlit streets under my own power with the warm wind hitting my face – I actually laughed out loud because I was having so much fun – despite the fact that I was doing nothing else but riding a bike home.

For a 32-year-old guy who never works out and hasn’t ridden a bike in seven years, I didn’t skip a beat – or pass out from the journey as I had expected. It is true what they say – you never do forget how to ride a bike after all. It was when I got home, however, that I realized that after biking 2.94 miles – that my true test of endurance would begin – because I now had to walk the bike up four flights of stairs to my apartment. After completing that delightful task, I went to bed with the knowledge that I was getting up the next morning, biking to Woody’s house – and going to Toys ‘R Us to buy my own bike – and I did just that at noon yesterday.

I left my house at 11:00am yesterday morning and biked the 2.94 miles back to Woody’s house. After that we went to Larry’s Bike Shoppe, then to Toys ‘R Us, then Woody’s house again, then Bon Appetit, then my house, then back to Woody’s – and then I biked back home – that’s exactly 16.43 miles – not bad for a first day. Even today, as I was at home working, I completed what I had to do and went for a ride the second I was done. I met my mother for lunch, saw my friend Lisa, and came here to Woody’s house – where I am now writing this column.

This bike is already so much more to me than simply a device that was invented in 1790 by Comte Mede de Sivrac of France.. It is an opportunity to literally change my life as I know it. I do not have a vehicle of my own and therefore, I am forced to endure public transportation – which saw me wait for a B7 bus for 45 minutes last week. If I don’t want to rely on buses or trains, I can always walk, which may be great exercise in its own right – but quite frankly takes too long. And if I need to get somewhere really fast – I could take a car service – at an average of $11 per trip depending on my destination. Now that I bought this bike, I can get anywhere I want, at least within a certain radius, for free – and be exercising, losing weight and saving money on the way there.

Another “gift” this bike will bestow upon me is motivation. I already have a list of places I want to bike to. From a day tour of all the places I have lived, to Coney Island for a few more rides, to my niece and nephew’s house to bike with them – to nowhere – I can’t wait to wear out my tires – because there is nothing I do not love about the fact that I now own a bike…

…except the fact that my butt really hurts.