The GF and I went on vacation last week, and the aged gas guzzler that came with the condo we stayed in wouldn't start after we got there. That was supposed to be our transportation for the week when we wanted to go somewhere we couldn't walk to. We were in an area that was pretty contained, and ended up renting a pair of bikes for most of the time we were there. They came with helmets, locks and removable baskets as well as a map, and we'd both brought commuting sized backpacks with us. I also brought one of my commuter flashlights (just in case I needed it), and we were able to get where we needed to and haul home the groceries we bought without too much trouble. You never know where those skills you learn are going to pay off!

And, you did it with your GF, and you had fun together, and you exercised, and you got to ride! Perfect!

It doesn't get much better than this.

It was great. I'd been hoping to ride while we were down there and figured it wouldn't work. So when she proposed renting bikes and skipping the trip to the outlet mall, I jumped at the chance. She was surprised at how easy it was to bring the groceries home too, I think she was expecting it to be rougher than it was.

Ah, "the old car won't start, so let's ride bicycles" ploy. I'll have to keep that one in mind. : -)

Actually our last vacation was designed around riding bikes on Block Island, Rhode Island. Wonderful venue for cycling and beach swimming. Where did you go?

We went to Marco Island in Florida. It's small enough so that we could see most everything in half a day, but big enough to have enough grocery stores and restaurants to keep us well fed.

Perfect.

Hate to be so pop culture but can't help but think:

Plane tickets: $650.00
Condo Rental:$1200.00
Groceries: $80.00
Bike Riding on Marco Island with Girlfriend: PRICELESS!

Sweet. Renting a bike on vacation is what got my wife in to cycling with me. Later that year we rented a bike locally and rode around for a day. A week or so after that, she got her own bike, and, while she's still a fair weather biker, we take a bike outing at every opportunity. And every vacation until this year I have loaded my bike into the car, and she has rented one for the week. The car still gets a little use, but the bikes get more. This year was different because she wanted her own bike at the beach so it got to go in the car. My bike got to the beach, too, but it had to go the long way with a four day tour preceding my "real" vacation.

A vacation you have to spend in a car ain't no vacation at all.