Electra Townie 8-Speed

I got a new bike and it's really, really fun to ride! 

It's very comfortable and you can actually put your feet flat on the ground while still seated. This feet on the ground thing is something new in the cycling world I guess. I just accepted that unless you are only stopping very briefly and/or have great balance and that coming out of the saddle to put your feet on the ground was part of the deal with stopping.  It seems like a nice feature since I do plan to carry the dog around with me sometimes and adding 30lbs of extra, sometimes wiggly weight might necessitate some interesting stops and starts.   

The weirdest part for me is getting used to the pedals being slightly in front of me instead of underneath me.  Also when climbing hills it's really not possible to stand up, which is what I usually do instead of really gearing down. I may have to change my ways. 

So yes, I really like the bike, but Lila does not find it all that fun to ride in the special basket I bought so she could ride along on the back.

When I put her in it she looks extremely uptight about the situation. I've been hiding treats in the basket and then making a big show of it when I give her one thinking that someday she'll love the basket just because of the fond treat memories. In the meantime we are taking the basket training slow and considering the possibility that a trailer might be the next purchase.