The Race To My First Bicycle

“When you are starting up, don’t be too concerned about name brands, top-end & very expensive items. Go for what is good quality and what you like. Settle for what you can afford because mountain biking is a very sticky & expensive sport” – Cycling Enthusiast

So, in all my life I have made many purchases, signed many deals and taken a lot of risks: from motor cars, clothes, houses, furniture, insurances, etc. but none of those purchases have ever been so emotional, long, detailed and nerve-wracking than purchasing my first mountain bike. Not sure why thought, but I guess it has to do with that it was in a different category, different space altogether and I so wanted to be sure of my decision.

Like mentioned before, it was not the first time I bought a bicycle: When I was young, my dad bought me a BMX, then later an ‘entry-level’ mountain bike to commute to my first real job but this time, it was different. I was spending my own hard cash, my own money to buy a piece of metal and rubber…

To make matters easy, it embarked on an extensive reading exercise and fact finding mission: to research about different bicycles, their purpose, equipment & tools needed gears, etc. just to be comfortable and be sure before my first purchase. I bought bicycle magazines, visited websites, watched television programs and eventually visited different bicycle stores to get first-hand information on bicycles. It was an interesting mission and I never got tired because I really wanted to make this work, I wanted to take the first real step in “SLAYING” my fears. Nothing was going to stop me from making the purchase, nor achieving my goal… NOTHING!!

All these exercises I embarked on, really stood me up in a great position to make better decisions, enabled me to speak the language of cyclists and be comfortable with whatever decision I would make. I felt really empowered and awesome. However, no amount of reading or researching could really prepare you for the real deal/ action.

I’m a firm believer that “you need to follow your gut”. While I was going from one ‘big name’ bicycle store to the next, I was still not satisfied and sure of what I wanted. Then BOOM!!! One beautiful Friday afternoon, on 18 March 2016, I bumped on a very small local bicycle store, just outside Centurion CBD. It is tiny and located in a small shopping complex and it’s so easy to miss. I stepped in without really expecting to see much, just a few bicycles here and there. I met with the owner and gave him my specifications. He looked at me showed me a bike which he had on the shop-floor. I took a swipe and inspected it but Naaah!! “I’ll pass this one”.

Then, Yoh! I saw a very nice, simple & beautiful bicycle next to the one the owner was showing me and I was totally taken. Before he could finish telling me about it I was already seeing myself on it, owning it and ‘ghubuluzing’ on the road. LoL!!

Now, hear me out, bicycles are not cheap. They don’t come cheap at all. Don’t be twisted. The price tag was R6500 but I negotiated myself a 10% discount + first free service, 5 years warranty on the frame J. Not sure it was a good deal but to me, it felt like a sensible one for both parties. I think the owner was also kind of desperate for a sale. I paid R2000 deposit on the spot just to secure it and promised the balance at month end.

It was a fair deal. I felt absolutely awesome. I felt totally in charge. `I wrapped up a deal just like that. I have taken a real step in moving mountains off my life. It was the dawn of a new chapter, a real step in moving forward.

On a glorious Saturday morning, 26 March 2016 I took delivery on my bicycle. I took it along and gave it a new home. It was a glorious day and I felt absolutely amazed at this feat. It was not just a simple purchase to me but I really symbolised a great step forward in my journey. I name my bicycle “Oshkosh”… LoL!! Please Don’t ask me why that name! The name sounds appropriate, so I let it stick… LoL

My mountain bike spec: Axis A70, 27,5” Tyres

Hydraulic braking system.

24 gears / 8 speed Shimano XLS Components