I did it!
That is, I bought a bicycle.
Here it is:
What a beauty, huh?
The bicycle was bought at the Blue Bear store in Minsk. Thanks to the store, because they released the bike from the warehouse; it wasn't available in the store itself. And enormous thanks to my cousin, who carried out the covert extraction of this national treasure. That is, I meant the illegal duty-free import of goods into the EU. The same bicycle costs $300 more here. It's not that I begrudge the money; I simply don't like feeding our government, retailers, and the manufacturer that brazenly marks up the price in “wealthy” countries. I'd rather Belarus got my money. Let's support the last bastion of resistance to the evil empire!
In the morning I struggled a little with adjusting the brakes, because she had brought the bike not fully assembled. Eventually I adjusted the rear brake and rode to the summer house, where there are plenty of tools and advisers, and adjusted the front one there.
My impressions from the ride are entirely positive; on asphalt it rolls like a motorcycle. It does get bogged down in sand, though—the tires are narrow. But since it's a hybrid with 28" wheels, that's to be expected.
Now I hope to change my exercise routine: I'll go to the gym twice a week; periodic bike rides at a good pace will replace the third session. When the autumn season begins, I'll go to the gym once a week, and replace the second session with swimming. When winter arrives, the bicycle will also be replaced by swimming.