My New Toy!
By Marie Anne
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
United States
June 30, 2008 9:28am CST
Another plug for freecycle!
I need to exercise so badly but I've been terrible with it. I've gone out for a walk a few times in the last week or two and was determined to keep it up, but I know how that goes.
I am at the heaviest I have ever been in my life and my cholesterol is sky high, and of course my Dr is not pleased.
I think he'll be pleased with what I got from freecycle yesterday, though. I am now the proud owner of a recumbent exercise bike! I already did a 5-min session several times yesterday, and one 15-min session this morning and will do a few more throughout the day. It's in the way in the middle of my tiny living room, so it will be easy for me to climb aboard as I walk through there, or while watching TV.
I can't believe I got this free. A recumbent bicycle is so much easier to ride than a regular bicycle or upright exercise bike. You lean back so there is no strain on your back at all, the seat is much bigger and more comfortable, and it takes up less room too. The computer thingy on this doesn't work, but mechanically it works fine, so I'm very happy with it.
If you're not a member of freecycle, check it out at freecycle.org. If you are a member, what neat things have you got or given away lately?
6 people like this
18 responses
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
30 Jun 08
i love freecycle and since i live in a fairly large city, there are lots of stuff to choose from! we got a free air conditioner that way. but the only thing with free cycle is that you have to be checking your email constantly to see whats available before anyone else gets to it.
3 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Jun 08
Very true. I have a separate folder for freecycle so it's easy to see when new mail is there and I check it right away. I always have my email account open anyway.
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
1 Jul 08
My friend has a freecycle, but I prefer the tradition bicycle because I get a workout all over by using a bicycle.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Freecycle is not a bicycle, its an email list that people give away things free, instead of throwing them away or selling them. That is where I got this recumbent bicycle, from someone giving it away free.
1 person likes this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
1 Jul 08
I have given away a ton of stuff lately. But most recently I am trying to find a home for that kitten my daughter found. I thought I had the perfect family and they were supposed to pick her up today but no show and no responce to my emails. So I guess I will start all over again tomorrow.
You got a wonderful bike, WOOHOO.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Whenever we can get out own place and go through our things in storage, I know I will have a lot to give away. I just can't sort anything right now as it's all packed into cramped quarters.
Hope you can find kitty a good home!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
1 Jul 08
oh my gosh youo mean its free, really oh I could use that
I weigh twohundred pounds and need to lose fifty,have already
'lost eight pounds but need something like freecycle, this'
sounds like something I could really do and recumbent, that
sounds really easier than the old one I used to have, I will
definitely check out freecycle. thanks ldyjarhead.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Well freecycle isn't just about bicycles. Its where people give away things instead of selling them at a yard sale or throwing them away when they have no use for them.
It's basically an email list and if you have something to give away, you post it and someone will come get it.
If someone else lists something to give away and you want it, you respond right away and you might be lucky enough to get it. It's tough, though, because there are usually a lot of people on the email lists.
1 person likes this
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
30 Jun 08
good day. Good luck to your exercise bike and hope you could cut on your cholesterol level. I just wished that freecycle is available globally too bad it isn't.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Thank you. I've used it several times just in this day and a half, so I think I will stick with it and it will definitely help.
I wonder if you could start something like it in your own country? I don't see why the concept wouldn't work everywhere.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
It's not brand new and shiny, but it sure works and that's all that counts. It really was a blessing that this fell into my lap at this particular time, and I'm very thankful.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 Jul 08
did you have to go and pick it up or did they bring it to you. I have no way of picking up anything.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
8 Jul 08
yes we do, I am a member, but I never used it, in montreal, you have to donate something first before you can get something.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
30 Jun 08
I love Freecycle as well, Ldyjarhead. Recently, I saw someone post a bunch of items on our local freecycle and one was child's Marital Arts sparring gear. I grabbed that up next day and my daughter is thrilled with them. The helmet and gloves look like they never been used but the footpads are well-worn. Don't matter being she doesn't spar often enough to warrant new right now. There were others things I wanted but someone else got to them before I could. So far, I've given away a set of patio door verticle blinds in great shape and hopefully a 2man tent as well. I've offered several times the various rocks/broken bricks we have in excess but no one wants them it seems.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Jun 08
That's a great deal! My son was in martial arts for years and earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do, so I know how expensive it is to keep them in the gear that they need - especially since they're still growing!
1 person likes this
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
2 Jul 08
I use to be very active in freecycle. I started our local group about 5 years ago. It's a good thing but like anything else you have the ones who try to ruin it for everyone else.
When I stepped down as the owner, I was still active in the group but then got so tired of people not showing up for things that I stopped and now give to our local thrift store.
I used it more to give away stuff then to receive things.
You found a great item!
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
2 Jul 08
Oh yes, like most everything else, you'll have the greedy ones that want it all. I've even heard some people accuse the list owners/moderators of taking the cream of the crop too, and I wouldn't have any idea on how you could prevent something like that.
I'm absolutely ecstatic over this windfall and have been cycling every day.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
30 Jun 08
I have been hearing about Freecycle for a couple
years now. Not sure why I haven't signed up yet.
It sounds wonderful. I have several computer monitors
that I don't need anymore and would love to get some
stuff too. Maybe something for the house.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Jun 08
Oh gosh yes, someone will gladly take your computer monitors, I'm sure.
If you do sign up in your area, make sure you get the individual emails. Everyone jumps on things fast so you'll never have a chance if you go on digest or just read from the website.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
30 Jun 08
There is not a freecycle close to where I am living now, but a few years ago I got a big 70 pound Everlast punching bag for my son from someone of Freecycle for my son. It was the main thing that he wanted for Christmas that year and I got it for FREE!
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Jun 08
Wow, that is a great deal!
Even if there is not one that close to you, you could still sign up with the one that is closest. Chances are there are others in your area that are in the same boat, and they may be posting to that list.
If not, start your own in your area!
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
30 Jun 08
Wow that is really neat. I bought myself a Elliptical trainer and I found it so much more convenient to use than it was to take the time to drive to town and use the one at the gym there and i use it more because i have it.
I'm a member of freecycle around here and i gave away some coffee tables recently. But I've actually never gotten anything from anyone in the group. I always feel theres someone else who just might actually need it when i only want it.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Jun 08
I've got some nice things before and have given away a few as well. With my weight and cholesterol what they are right now, this is probably going to be the best thing I could ever have received on freecycle.
@violetdreams (658)
•
30 Jun 08
Wow, that was a great find. Good luck with keeping up the exercising!
Since we are moving home on Wednesday 2 July, we have been having a major clean out and a lot has gone on freecycle lately.
The biggest and best was the 2 baby buggies that I have had taking up space since November (last time they were used). One boy one and one girl one which my twins used only a few times. I bought them so we could take them on holiday with us - easier than a double buggy! I also had connectors which turned them into a double buggy if you needed that.
The lady they went to was very happy with her find and couldn't find enough words of thanks for us.
Violetdreams
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Jun 08
That was very nice of you to give those away as I'm sure you could have sold them for a few dollars at least. If she was a mother of twins, I'm sure she was very happy to get them.
Yes, I'm extremely pleased with this bike. I never liked riding a regular exercise bike because I always felt a strain on my back, but this is perfect.
The funny thing is, the woman that donated it said she didn't like to lean back and preferred the regular bike!
1 person likes this
@qwedloki100 (103)
• United States
30 Jun 08
That's a great find! I'll check it out right now. Hope it's as god as it sounds!
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
2 Jul 08
Cong Ldyjarhead-excercise is healthy, I am sure that new toy is going to tone you up and cut down your weight-may you keep on the routine excercise for you continued good health-Good Luck Ldy...!
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
2 Jul 08
I've been using it every day, at least two 15 min sessions and sometimes several 5 or 10 min sessions several times throughout.
I'm determined to get rid of some of this excess baggage and get my cholesterol down before it kills me. I've got a very tiny house so I can't even get to the couch without running into the bike, so I sit on the bike instead. Works for me!
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
1 Jul 08
that is really good... what is freecycle and how can you get free stuffs from there??? is it open for international members??? i never heard about it before... i think it is only open for US residents... that's why i never heard about it... anyway, good finding... enjoy your new toy and happy exercising with it... thanks for the info... take care and have a nice day...
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Freecycle is an organization that you sign up for in the U.S. that is an email group that people post to when they have something to give away free, rather than putting it in a yard sale or throwing it away and filling up the landfill.
The organization is national, but you can open an email list in any city you want, as long as those running the list play by the national rules. I don't know of it existing in any other country, but I don't see why other people couldn't start something similar. The concept is great!
@Carrie26 (1587)
• United States
1 Jul 08
I need to start into excercising.ALthough I will probably have to get a upright exercise machine since they are a little cheaper.I would also like to start walking.Heart problems run in our family and I would like to be around for my kids when they get older and to see my grandchildren someday.That is why I would like to get a excercise bike because I have heard and read of people that have lost weight on a sensible diet and excercising on thier excercise bike while watchin tv.I would like to have the excercise bike that you have in the picture as it would probably be alot easier since you can recline back.I havent seen any on freecycle in are area.You have to really get on it when you see something you would like as it can go pretty fast.We got a couch and matching chair off of freecylce in pretty decent condition and a kitten.LOL.I tried giving away our sons highchair on freecycle and a couple of people called about it and then they called and said they couldnt make it.SO we quit posting it on their since no one else called about it and it was a highchair in good condition too.But that site is a good site because at times you can find some nice stuff on thier.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Yes, I was very lucky that I was online at the time and was the first person to respond to ask for it. This recumbent bike is much better than one that sits upright, as there is no strain on your back or shoulders at all. I hate riding a regular upright exercise bike, but this one is great and I've been able to do several sessions without a problem.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
1 Jul 08
I'm in the same boat with you. I went to the doctor yesterday and found out that I had gained almost fifteen pounds over the past year. Now I'm back on Weight Watchers and back to exercising. I've never heard of freecycle, but I am definitely going to check it out. I would love to get one for free and I could really put it to good use at this time.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
1 Jul 08
I think a lot of people here are confusing freecycle with something to do with a bicycle because the word cycle is in there. The two aren't related, except that I just happened to get my recumbent exercise bike from someone that was giving it away.
Freecyle is a take off of the word recycle, but people give things away free, so they coined the term freecycle. Its a national organization that has local email groups all over the country where people give things away rather than selling at a yard sale or tossing them into the landfill. It is really a wonderful program.
I believe the national website is freecycle.org, and you can look for a list close to you.
