For some time I have had a bike. (Woo, TMI!)

The thing about this bike is that it is a mountain bike. Not just a mountain bike, but a woman's mountain bike. (I prefer the woman's MTB frame. Why bang my balls on the man's frame, anyway?) Not only a woman's MTB frame, but a 26" frame with a seat post that is far too short for me.

So yes, people point and me and laugh as I ride by. I don't care, because I'm a goofy one anyway. (I did at least take off the pink tassels from the handlebars. OK, it never actually had any.) I'm also, unfortunately, a tad paranoid about riding bikes ever since I went flying off of my bike when I was 15 or so, slammed into a concrete wall and broke my wrist. So for years I have been leery about riding them, and since coming to Germany I never got around to buying one until about a year or so ago.

When I finally did, I bought a used one. Actually at first it was at an auction (some of you may remember the JE about that, where I got totally ripped off) and I traded in that bike for the one I have now. Thing is, I actually rather liked the fact that I could stand flat-footed while sitting on the bike, because I just felt more comfortable and safe (yes I am a pussy, yes I am a wuss).

However, unfortunately my knees have started to inform me that a person who is a hair under 6' (or 183 cm) riding such a small bike is Not A Good Idea. A British friend who used to be a bike repair guy has been on me about that for some time, and I finally broke down today and went out and got a new, much longer seat post. Unfortunately my bike has a rather weird frame that only takes a 25 mm post -- the smallest size -- and posts in that size are a bit rare-ish. But I did find one that even has a shock absorber built-in. (With the many cobblestone streets 'round here, that's nice to have.)

So I ran out this evening, bought it, installed it and took it for a spin. And I have to say, yeah, I feel the difference.

(And now half the audience collectively says, "No shit!")