Question: What is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike?
Answer: The pavement
Evie Bloomfield here, all the way from Chicago to the happy land of Mackinac Island. There are no cars on Mackinac, no motor anything on the island. Fact is, if you want to get somewhere it’s by horse or foot or bike.
See that Chicago reference above? I’m a city girl and that means I have zip history with horses and with bikes. I got the foot part down from running after trains and buses but even on an eight mile island that’s a lot of foot-pounding.
I could jump on a horse-taxi here on the island to get around but that’s slow and expensive and someone else is doing the driving and I’m totally a control freak. That brings us to the bike mode of transportation. Oh, and there’s another little reason I really should learn to ride a bike. . . I’m now part owner of Rudy’s Rides bike shop here on Mackinac.
So how do you learn to ride a bike? I asked my partner Rudy. Exactly how hard is it? This is his advice. (warning: Rudy is a little crusty around the edges so if you are easily offended you might want to stop here.)
Rudy said learning to ride a bike is a lot like sex.
It’s best to wear protective gear when going into unfamiliar territory. .
It’s easier to learn with the help of someone who has a lot of experience. .
It’s usually hard to control your speed the first few times you try. .
You don’t need any special clothing, but you can get some if you are really into it. .
If you’re with someone who is having trouble keeping up, it’s usually best to slow down and wait for them. .
Most people think it looks easy until they try it for the first time. .
Once you learn, you never forget how. .
If you fall off get right back on. .
Not sure if Rudy has all the answers but these seem pretty sound. . .maybe?
So the question is. . . Do you know how to? Ride a bike of course. And what was your first. . .bike of course.
Catch you later especially if I’m on my bike.
Keep on peddling.
Evie Bloomfield
Braking for Bodies is the second book in the Cycle Path mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime, April 2016.
Evie Bloomfield puts the pedal to the metal—in the latest Cycle Path mystery from the national bestselling author of Geared for the Grave.
Moving from Los Angeles to small, picturesque Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop might seem crazy, but Evie knows it’s the best decision she’s ever made. That’s not to say she’s gotten rid of all her stress; after all, the upcoming Lilac Festival has everyone in town riding in circles.
But things really go downhill when a ferry full of tourists—including Evie’s friend Fiona’s former boss, the editor of a sleazy rag in LA—arrives on the island. No one knows why Peephole Perry came all the way to Mackinac, but things aren’t looking good for Fiona when Peep is found dead. Now Evie has to gear up and get a grip on the truth if she wants to clear her friend’s name. . .
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About the author
Duffy Brown is the national bestselling author of the Cycle Path Mysteries and the Consignment Shop Mysteries. She loves anything with a mystery. While other girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She has two cats, Spooky and Dr. Watson, and works at a consignment shop when she’s not busy conjuring up whodunit stories. Visit Duffy at duffybrown.com.
Giveaway: Leave comment below for your chance to win one of three Braking For Bodies Tote bags from the author. Bonus giveaway is one print copy of Braking For Bodies. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end April 15, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
I love Duffy’s Mackinac Island books and the jams that Evie gets into-or should I say gets others out of? Makes me want to live on an island too! Thanks Dru for today’s feature on the latest in the series! Thanks also to Duffy for a chance to win a copy of Breaking For Bodies. 🙂
Hi, Barbara. Mackinac Island is such a neat place…with our without bodies. LOL Hugs, Duffy
Love the cover and this book sounds so good! I cannot help but keep my fingers crossed on this one. Please enter me for the chance of winning the book.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Hi, Marilyn. Berkley gives me amazing covers. I love them too.
I enjoyed the first one and I am looking forword to reading this new one. Congrats
Thanks Kari. Never a dull moment on Mackinac Island. Hugs.
I read the first book and would love to win this one.MacKinac has been on my on my bucket list and now even more so.
You’d love Mackinac Island, Ruth. It’s amazing and so quiet with no cars and only horses and bikes buzzing around. Hugs. Duffy
Braking for Bodies sounds like an enjoyable cozy! I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the chance to win.
Thanks, Jen.
Mackinac Island sounds lovely, but not so good when someone is murdered! This looks like a good cozy mystery. Thanks for the chance to enter!
Thanks for stopping by, Jill. Peephole Perry deserved to bit the big one so it’s not so bad. LOL Duffy
I enjoyed the first book in this series. The 2nd one has to be equally as great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks so much, Dianne!
Hilarious!! Yes, I know how to ride a bike although it’s been a while. My first bike was a little red one with training wheels. I remember when my dad took the training wheels off and I learned how to ride without them. Many scraped knees later I was a pro. I’d love to win a copy of Braking for Bodies. Sounds like it will be a funny cozy mystery I’d enjoy.
So glad you liked the post. I had fun writing it. Have a lovely Sunday. Hugs, Duffy
Sounds like my type of series&a new tote bag would be fun.💕
The totes sure are colorful. Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve always wanted to visit Mackinac Island. Maybe the next time I visit my daughter who now lives in Chicago, or through this book series! I tried to teach my husband to ride a bike, but he has no sense of balance, so we now own a tandem bicycle. Loads of fun!
Hi, Lisa. You can rent tandem bikes on Mackinac. In fact the next book in the series is Tandem Demise. LOL Hugs, Duffy
Finished this yesterday! A five star! Book is hilarious, great characters, lots of surprises, humor and leaves only one question–how soon is the next one??!?
Thank you, Linda!!!!!! Your sure made my day. Hugs, Duffy
Mackinac Island is a family vacation ideal spot. Thanks for the review and the chance to win a tote back. They’re a great conversation starter. robeader53@yahoo.com
It is for families for sure. What a fun getaway. Hugs, Duffy
Drove over the bridge and back….didn’t get to the island proper.
and that is one heck of a bridge!!! Wow
A great series and wonderful author.
thank you, Elaina!!!!
THis is hysterical! What an appealing book and a new series to me.
My first bike was a trike, but at the age of 4 I received a Huffy two wheeler. My father promptly put training wheels on it and I promptly protested. To counteract his assurances that I would need the training wheels, I hopped on and rode, balancing only on the two wheels. I’d been secretly practicing on my brother’s bike and after having to master the swing the leg over the back of the bike maneuver, a girl’s bike was a piece of cake! The training wheels came off the same day.
What a great story! That you were riding at 4 is amazing. I hate guy bikes, the bar in the middle drives me nuts. Thanks for chatting Kait.
I love this series. (I’ve never been able to ride a bike – balance issues.)
Thanks Barb!!!
I want to live in this location!! My dream place to live
Me too but it sure gets cold in the winter. Yikes
Sounds like a great read.
Thanks, Rita.
I have been to Mackinac Island and loved it, would be thrilled to win a copy of this book.
wfnren at aol dot com
It is such a fun place to visit. We stayed a week. What a blast.
I don’t remember learning to ride a bike. It seems like I “always” knew how.
You must have an amazing sense of balance. Way to go.
What a wonderful Braking for Bodies giveaway! Sign me up!
Thanks for stopping by. Celia. Hugs, Duffy
I woukld love to win a copy Braking For Bodies. Sounds like it will be a good book.
Wow, sounds like a great new book and series, hope I win, ty for the chance
This sounds so good, I want to read asap! Thanks for the review.
I never did learn to properly ride a bike when I was a kid—now I just feel wobbly on one and not comfortable at all. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I think it’s so much harder to learn anything as we get older. Foreign languages are terrible too. UGH
my dad taught me how to ride a bike when I was about 10..in the alley behind our house in Chicago..I fell,naturally and got glass in my knees..but I did it !! it was an old style schwin that was blue and white and had a basket..brings back fond memories of my dad..thanks for that and the chance.
Oh, Rosemary, who a great dad and good memories…except for the glass. Hugs, Duffy
Oh my…..I loved Rudy’s comments on learning how to ride a bike!! I remember taking up “off road” mountain biking at 50 when my husband decided he wanted to & wanted me to join him. I can attest to the fact that every bit of Rudy’s advice was pertinent. :-)) I think I would love to read this series!!
You are one brave soul!!! That’s a lot to take on at any age. Way to go!
I taught myself how to ride on my brother’s old bike.
One determined kid. Way to go!!
Fun sounding series, can’t wait to read both books. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks Patty!
Duffy Brown has what I think of as an ideal life. If only I had her talent.
Would love to win and live vicariously.
I do live vicariously through my characters. They say things I wish I’d said. LOL Hugs, Duffy
Great book and great series.
Thank you, Vicki!!
I’ve never been to Mackinac Island but heard it’s amazing. Sounds like an awesome mystery and great scenery.
You’d love it, Donna. What a neat getaway. Hugs, Duffy
I’ve never been to Mackinac Island but love reading about it–and this series is great.
Thank you so much!!! Mackinac Island is the perfect getaway. Hope you get there. Hugs, Duffy
Love the colors on the cover……
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Berkley gives me amazing covers!! Thanks for stoping by. Hugs, Duffy
Just finished reading Braking for Bodies. I LOVED IT!!!! Such a fun read. I don’t need to be entered in the drawing–I already own the book. I just wanted everyone to know how enjoyable this book is. If you don’t win it, go out and buy it. You will be glad you did! Looking forward to my next visit with Evie and the gang.