We always look forward to going to the REI Used Gear Sale. I always find great deals and we have been trying to score a good deal on some road bikes so we can ride together as a family. The problem is that you have to get to REI at 4am in order to get first pick at the gear and I am not going to do that. I do the Black Friday thing once a year and that is way too much for me. This year REI did things differently and gave out colored wristbands and randomly determined which color shopped first. We got lucky this year with a pink wristband and shopped with the first group!
We were eyeing the merchandise as we were in line and made a plan to head over to the road bikes right away. We weren't willing to die for them but we knew we had a good chance and we got them! I didn't want to pay $1000+ for my bike because I am not a serious rider. I have tossed around the idea of a triathlon but without a bike I just left the thought in the back of my mind but now I just might revisit the idea.
I ended up buying a Novara Carema Pro which retails for $1100. Since it was used, I bought it for less than half the price and it is in great condition. The bike ended up being my size as well so I got lucky. My husband likes the fancier road bikes and he was also able to score a really nice one for half of the cost in his size. His is a much fancier bike than mine but he has been wanting one for a long time so his road bike was his Father's Day and birthday present for the year. He does not like to spend lots of money on himself but I convinced him that he deserved it and he is very happy with it. There was only one condition to buying his bike: his riding schedule can't interfere with my running schedule. Just Kidding :)
Do you own a bike? Have you ever done a triathlon or considered doing one? Do you run in Brooks shoes? If yes, tell me what you think of them?
I had a bike in Quebec and it did not make the move with me...I keep telling Bill this would be a GREAT gift for me...like better than jewelry but he does not get the hint!!
ReplyDeleteI have done 1 triathlon. It was when I was on the swim team and we had to do it!
I do run in Brooks. Brooks Ravennas. I love them. I had the Pure Flow and it did not work for me. I hope you will like them. I had a hard time getting used to them and I took a bad fall and that was the end of the Pure Flow!
I am a member of REI and I did not even know about that super sale!
I would have gone for the Garmin for sure!!
I think Bill should get you bike too! I want to try riding the bike for cross training and hopefully I will get enough confidence to attempt a triathlon! If you need a Garmin let me know. I have quite a few!
DeleteI'm not a shoe loyalist, but I bought some PureFlows, too. I've done all my Alter-G rehab runs in them and today I'll wear them for my first outdoor run. I hope you like yours!!
ReplyDeleteGreat work at the REI sale--we are members, but never organized enough to get there on time for this.
I have always ran in Nike's and cannot seem to get comfy in anything else but we will see what happens! The REI sale is great! I think the best deal I ever scored was on two Garmins for $1.00 each and they are almost new and work perfectly!
DeleteLooks like you guys scored some great deals at REI! I've been thinking about getting a bike but then if I buy a bike I'll have to buy a helmet and shoes so I'm holding off for awhile longer.
ReplyDeleteI still have to get the helmet and shoes too. I want to practice riding the bike without the clip in pedals or else I will probably get stuck on the bike and crash (knowing me)! I have always wanted a bike but have to get used to riding with traffic. It makes me a little nervous!
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