You know you're addicted to cycling when......

[TrekTheKaty]

You're week revolves around next weeks long ride--when, where, who's going.........

You've played "hookie(?)" from work to watch the tour.......

You have more than one pair of cycling shoes. Sis says, "I like you're new sandles--Birk? Teva? Where'd you get 'em?" Um, Nashbar--they're clipless:o

The cat is jealous of the way you talk to your bike (You used to tell HER how pretty she is).........

You're laundry room looks like this........

[HappyTexasMom]

Haha! Here's mine:

When your hair is in *desperate* need of being rehighlighted, and you'd really like to do it before you go out of town to visit your friend. But the one day you can do it is also the one day you can go for a long ride, so you choose the ride.

When you wake up on the weekend, your first thought, instead of being "please let me be able to go back to sleep", it's "please let it still be early enough to get a ride in before it gets too hot".

[Tri Girl]

When the closet went from 3/4 full of work clothes to 3/4 full of cycling/workout clothes. If I could wear a jersey to teach in, I would (those back pockets would come in handy). :)

[Biciclista]

why can't you wear a jersey to teach in?

[Tri Girl]

why can't you wear a jersey to teach in?

Oh that whole "professional dress" thingy in my contract. :p
I think it's professional- professional cyclists wear them all the time while working. :rolleyes: Seems our ideas of the word "professional" are very different.

[kenyonchris]

Haha! Here's mine:

When your hair is in *desperate* need of being rehighlighted, and you'd really like to do it before you go out of town to visit your friend. But the one day you can do it is also the one day you can go for a long ride, so you choose the ride.

When you wake up on the weekend, your first thought, instead of being "please let me be able to go back to sleep", it's "please let it still be early enough to get a ride in before it gets too hot".

My SO teased me about my grey stripe in my hair. It really is a stripe. I usually color it but I haven't had a spare dollar around that hasn't gone into my new bike. So the grey stripe becomes more and more apparent. He thinks its cute, so I guess it stays.

[Loraura]

When the dog knows the difference between your cycling shoes and your walking shoes, and doesn't even both to get excited when you start to put on your shoes (for a ride no doubt!).

My poor doggie! I had to add "walking the dog" to my son's chore list to make sure she got a walk!

[HappyTexasMom]

My poor doggie! I had to add "walking the dog" to my son's chore list to make sure she got a walk!

Awww...when I was cycling up the greenbelt on Saturday (loooong stretch of bike path that goes through a chain of parks in Scottsdale, AZ), I saw a lot of people out with their dogs, and felt a bit guilty. :(

[kermit]

You take your bikes on vacation with you and have more jerseys than shirts. You also wear shorts with your cycling tan legs proudly and every one else looks at you like a freak.

[TrekTheKaty]

You also wear shorts with your cycling tan legs proudly and every one else looks at you like a freak.

Good one! I bought new non-cycling shorts this summer--that are a hair longer, so my tan lines aren't SO obvious :)

[kenyonchris]

Everything you own says LIVESTRONG...
and you remember to check the roof for the bikes when they aren't on there.

[hvaclu]

Loraura, I had to laugh about the dogs being able to tell the difference between the running sneakers and cycling shoes. My two german shepherds are the same way. If I pull out my running sneakers they get all excited and if I pull out the cycling shoes they dont even get up anymore. To funny!

[TrekTheKaty]

and you remember to check the roof for the bikes when they aren't on there.

:D:D:D

[martaw]

I am new to cycling but I search for matching gear, and already think of fall early winter gear!
ON Saturday and Sunday ride twice :p

[milkbone]

when your kids are addicted to the Tour as well...words like peloton, and jersey leaders and Lance are common words at home, but they leave everyone else confused if they ask them if they caught the Tour today?

or #2...

your 9 year old is begging for a road bike, not the latest video games.

LOL
:D Proud Mom

[Grits]

You only have one glass of wine and leave the party early to be in bed by 11:00 on Friday night in order to be able to hang with the group at the 7:00am ride Sat. morning.

[HappyTexasMom]

your 9 year old is begging for a road bike, not the latest video games.

LOL
:D Proud Mom

My 8 year old begs for video games *and* to go riding, but he pouts a lot more if he doesn't get to ride than if he doesn't get to play the video games.

[TrekTheKaty]

I am new to cycling but I search for matching gear, and already think of fall early winter gear!
ON Saturday and Sunday ride twice :p

You're idea of shopping is hitting the clearance racks at the bike shops ;)

[AnnieBikes]

Your feet are tiger striped from wearing Keen cycling sandals every time you ride in the summer!

[emily_in_nc]

Loraura, I had to laugh about the dogs being able to tell the difference between the running sneakers and cycling shoes. My two german shepherds are the same way. If I pull out my running sneakers they get all excited and if I pull out the cycling shoes they dont even get up anymore. To funny!

+1

Paisley sulks when we put on our cycling gear upstairs vs. our walking clothes! I feel guilty when we leave her behind to ride as she goes in her kennel all by herself and just looks so sad.... :(

[emily_in_nc]

Your feet are tiger striped from wearing Keen cycling sandals every time you ride in the summer!

Yep, got that too! I much prefer my Keen tan to the white feet/ankles, sharp sock stripe tan I used to sport, tho... :D

[TrekTheKaty]

Your feet are tiger striped from wearing Keen cycling sandals every time you ride in the summer!

In the middle of your century ride report, the chiropractor laughs and says, "Did you wear gloves?" Only then do you notice the tan line on your wrists!

[jodz1984]

the only shop that i have been to in the last few months apart from the grocery shop is the LBS.

[andtckrtoo]

You're driving down the road and have to stop. You find yourself twisting your foot to disengage from the gas pedal "clips" so you can step on your break pedal.

And yes, I have done this more than once. :p

Your sitting at a road side cafe and a hot looking man/woman on a bike passes. Your head swivels to watch. You can name the exact bike they were riding, and even which team jersey they had on, but you did not see the person at all. (This drives my DH crazy! He thinks I'm checking out the hot young men - but I really don't see them - really :p)

[OakLeaf]

The #1 criterion for your new camera is that it must be waterproof and pocket-sized.

[bluejellybean]

In the middle of your century ride report, the chiropractor laughs and says, "Did you wear gloves?" Only then do you notice the tan line on your wrists!

got those! :)

[Aggie_Ama]

Your non-cycling friends just laugh at your pasty upper legs in a bathing suit. On the same note, you don't really care that your tan stops at your ankles and still wear capris and sandals.

You go out of town and visit the LBS (we have done this in other states).

You can't use a room in your house for it's intended purpose because the "bikes live there". We don't have room for guests without rearranging!

You have planned a vacation based on how good the cycling is and taken multiple bikes.

You put more care into washing your cycling clothes than the rest of the laundry.

You see no problem with a bike costing more than your first car. :D

[Tater]

While out grocery shopping or whatever, in regular clothes no less, you glance to your left to see if anyone is in your mirror. :eek: Guilty!!

[indigoiis]

You schedule minor surgery around your commuting schedule, and wonder how soon you will be able to ride after recovery.

[Puckerbrush]

Your non-cycling friends just laugh at your pasty upper legs in a bathing suit. On the same note, you don't really care that your tan stops at your ankles and still wear capris and sandals.

You go out of town and visit the LBS (we have done this in other states).

You can't use a room in your house for it's intended purpose because the "bikes live there". We don't have room for guests without rearranging!

You have planned a vacation based on how good the cycling is and taken multiple bikes.

You put more care into washing your cycling clothes than the rest of the laundry.

You see no problem with a bike costing more than your first car. :D

Wow....my DH and I totally plan our spring and fall vacations around cycling! we travel to PEI and cycle on the Confederation Trail every year. We've also vacationed in Vermont and Massachusetts for the same reason.
And yes, the dryer rack is for shorts, jerseys and socks!

[Possegal]

You're driving down the road and have to stop. You find yourself twisting your foot to disengage from the gas pedal "clips" so you can step on your break pedal.


I've done this too and feel so much better hearing I'm not alone. :)

[TrekTheKaty]

DH builds a shed behind the house, so he can move the lawn mower, kayak and motorcycle out of the garage--leaving more room for the bikes!

[Owlie]

Your sitting at a road side cafe and a hot looking man/woman on a bike passes. Your head swivels to watch. You can name the exact bike they were riding, and even which team jersey they had on, but you did not see the person at all. (This drives my DH crazy! He thinks I'm checking out the hot young men - but I really don't see them - really :p)

Hah, DBF does that. I joke that he looks at bikes the way some men look at women. He says he's waiting for a car with a bike rack carrying some good bikes to go by just so he can say "Nice rack." (And he's not the kind of guy to say that.) We're a silly pair, we are.

[Norse]

Ha! I can relate to a lot of these.

You own more than 1 bike and are lusting after another. You pick up the latest Bicyling magazine, hold up a picture of a to-drool over bike and say to DP: "Isn't this sexy!" One room of your house is devoted to all things that are bike: trainer and mat propped in front of tv, drying rack strewn with bike shorts, jerseys, bras, gloves, buffs..., an entire dresser stuffed with bike clothes, spare tires and a wheel for the trainer hanging out and, of course, the prized bike taking center stage in the room and getting more love than the car in the garage.

[TrekTheKaty]

...of course, the prized bike taking center stage in the room and getting more love than the car in the garage.

You're first and only new car--a still "like new" '06 Honda Acccord, has a few scratches from the bike rack and bikes in the garage--but THAT'S OK :D Lightning didn't mean to.........

[out_spokin']

Ha, there are some great ones here...a few more:

The newly adopted dog is learning the difference between my "ready to go morning bike commute" look (which she ignores) and ANY other morning looks (which involve plenty of excitement and/or guilt-producing dog behavior.)

When passing cyclist while driving, known to call out loud (not to the biker, that's not nice) "SPIN!!!" if they're grinding in too big a gear...

When a few work and family weekends popped up and threatened to compromise training for the summer's big event ride goal, rearranged work schedule w/ a few half days to fit in the big rides during the week!

Looked up sunrise time to squeeze in short road ride BEFORE the already ridiculously early regular wake up time when I couldn't bike commute today...:cool:

[TrekTheKaty]

DH doesn't notice your new haircut or clothes, but notices immediately the new jersey AND that it matches your camelbak PERFECTLY ;)

Sis doesn't know a Trek from a Giant, Cannondale or Cervelo--but immediately notices your new bike matches your old helmet.

BIL notices your new bike shoes before you're out of the car! (I'm pretty sure he always gives us the once over--because they get all our hand-me-downs!)

The fridge is empty, but there's enough gatorade/cytomax, clif bars, gu/jelly beans and other bike-friendly snacks for the long ride.

[arielmoon]

When the dog knows the difference between your cycling shoes and your walking shoes, and doesn't even both to get excited when you start to put on your shoes (for a ride no doubt!).

My poor doggie! I had to add "walking the dog" to my son's chore list to make sure she got a walk!

OMG my dogs know the difference too!

[Owlie]

You get to the building you work in and notice a bike locked outside. College campus, so not unusual. Out of curiosity, you go over and look at it. And then your jaw drops and you say something to the effect of "You have a what?! And you're leaving it where?! Locked like that?!" Bonus points awarded for saying this out loud.

[Kano]

how about a knee problem you wait for the end of ski season to have looked at so that the doc doesn't say "don't ski" but then it's bike season and you're afraid doc will say "don't ride" -- so you keep putting it off!!!

Karen in Boise

[Loraura]

Your regular showering routine includes checking for chain ring tattoos and tire smudge.


Even when you didn't just finish a ride!

[arielmoon]

I holler "clear" when I am riding shotgun in a car so the driver knows he can pull out. :D

[denda]

Your going down a big hill in your car and your first thought is how much fun it would be on your bike.

[Lakerider]

My bike goes everywhere with me. I keep one of the back seats out of my mini van unless I know I'll need it for a passenger so my bike is always loaded when I have time to get to the lake and ride after work.

On days when I don't have time to ride or the weather doesn't allow it, I sometimes talk to my bike, "R.B, we can't ride today, but we'll go for a ride soon." I just like having her (R.B. - short for Red Bike) around.

[shootingstar]

Your going down a big hill in your car and your first thought is how much fun it would be on your bike.

+1. Or when you are in a car and gauging the road conditions, grade ascents, weather, etc. and wondering what it would be like on bike.

And when the driver complains about something related to the driving and I'm thinking: can't be so difficult compared to cycling same route, traffic conditions, etc.

Or when your normal cycling time has been disrupted by other more urgent things and it's a sunny day out there.

[denda]

Here's what happens to me: I work right across from the Post Office. I can see the American flag out my window. When I see it just hanging limp, I think, "Man, if I was home I would be riding my bike!"

[Lakerider]

Whenever I'm doing something that feels like wasting time, :mad: like waiting in a check out line I always think,
I could be biking! :)

[Miranda]

You're driving down the road and have to stop. You find yourself twisting your foot to disengage from the gas pedal "clips" so you can step on your break pedal.

And yes, I have done this more than once. :p

Your sitting at a road side cafe and a hot looking man/woman on a bike passes. Your head swivels to watch. You can name the exact bike they were riding, and even which team jersey they had on, but you did not see the person at all. (This drives my DH crazy! He thinks I'm checking out the hot young men - but I really don't see them - really :p)

OMG... the driving comment... that made me lol big time!:D

Umm, yea... on the cafe comment... that's caused some issues as well with the other half:rolleyes::p;).


DH builds a shed behind the house, so he can move the lawn mower, kayak and motorcycle out of the garage--leaving more room for the bikes!

Or you throw the vehicles outta the car garage to make room for more bikes and a floor rack in the vehicle parking space. OH... then you use you kids' side-walk chalk to write on the garage cement floor "bike parking only"... just for clarification purposes:cool:.

OK... here's mine...
Part of your conversation with total strangers in store / biz parking lots has to include the words "...ummm, I'm not really a stalker, or a thief, I just wanted to check out your bike vehicle rack and / or gear... (as the owner shows up and busts you investigating their stuff) ...so, now that we have cleared that up... can we chat about it?". :D

[kermit]

You let your lunch get cold while talking to a total stranger at a rest stop when he sees your Specialized and you see his Giant(bike that is)!

[redrhodie]

when your co-worker asks if you're okay because you drove your car to work, and you say I'm fine, but my bike's in the shop.

[TrekTheKaty]

On days when I don't have time to ride or the weather doesn't allow it, I sometimes talk to my bike, "R.B, we can't ride today, but we'll go for a ride soon." I just like having her (R.B. - short for Red Bike) around.

I do that! Lightning sits right next to the door coming in from the garage--I have to "explain" when we miss a day (ie. rain or work) but promise "we'll go out tomorrow." I think the cat is teaching her the "guilt" look :D

[TrekTheKaty]

From Sarahspins bike rack thread:

You're not a car person, but you now car watch--looking for the perfect vehicle to accomodate the BIKES :p

[Jiffer]

When you are driving your car and hit your left window with your hand as you attempt to point out something in the road to ... um .... other "cars" behind you.

Also driving, you find you are on auto pilot and turn into your neighborhood the way you always do on your bike, but not usually in your car. (Cause there's more turns that way that you don't want to mess around with in the car, but is fun on the bike ... plus it keeps you from ever having to stop at the red light when you are trying to keep your average pace up as high as possible. Yet when you are trying to get your average pace UP a tenth and that light is green, you barrel through and ride that straight away as fast as possible, hoping for that tenth!)

When you plan a camping trip and immediately wonder if there's good cycling roads around and get all excited at the prospect of riding somewhere new and different.

When you actually let your husband bolt bike holding devices into the carpet of your beautiful new travel trailer, to make transporting the bikes on camping trips easier.

When your sick husband has to leave the camping trip early and you find yourself getting up alone at 5:30 and riding an unfamiliar mountain road with 4,000 feet of climbing, something you would have never dreamed of doing alone before. And then you feel so invigorated that you DID IT!!! :D

When you find yourself replying to posts about being addicted to cycling while you are camping instead of hanging out and visiting with your camping friends! (Who are all very impressed with your big ride that day and can't believe you actually rode a bike up the same rode we all drove up to town yesterday.)

[cylegoddess]

'You own more than 1 bike and are lusting after another. You pick up the latest Bicyling magazine, hold up a picture of a to-drool over bike and say to DP: "Isn't this sexy!" One room of your house is devoted to all things that are bike: trainer and mat propped in front of tv, drying rack strewn with bike shorts, jerseys, bras, gloves, buffs..., an entire dresser stuffed with bike clothes, spare tires and a wheel for the trainer hanging out and, of course, the prized bike taking center stage in the room', yep thats me!

Also, you get sick and think, laying there " hey, I might make it to the end of the street - if I can get up!":(

People at work tel em they saw me riding( and sometimes, its not a day I rode!)

You get a injury (and cant ride ) and instead of worrying how it will affect your work, your sleeping patterns, etc you think - how will it affect my riding?!

Your thighs get bigger but instead of worrying if you should diet, you compare them to the pictures of female pro riders in their ads for compression shorts.:p

[lo123]

From Sarahspins bike rack thread:

You're not a car person, but you now car watch--looking for the perfect vehicle to accomodate the BIKES :p

So true. I just got a Ford Escape. Our test drive was to our house to see if we could fit both bikes in the back of the car with the rear seats down :)
(The answer is yes--it's tight with our 'cross bikes--mine's a 54 cm, his a 58--but do-able).

[TrekTheKaty]

When you find yourself replying to posts about being addicted to cycling while you are camping instead of hanging out and visiting with your camping friends! (Who are all very impressed with your big ride that day and can't believe you actually rode a bike up the same rode we all drove up to town yesterday.)

:D:D:D

[Fontinalis]

You know you are addicted to riding your bike when you break down the grocery list in as many outings as there are items on the list, and go fetch those items, not at the store close to home, but at a store as far as you can think of, even in a different neighborhood.

You know that you are addicted when your daily commute - which is already close to an hour - feels like a disapointment because you get home too soon, you haven't had your fill. And you know you are addicted when that happens even in the worse possible weather (rain, head wind).

You know you are addicted when the best time of your day IS the commute back and forth.

You know you are addicted to your biking when you use your bike all the time, and use your car so little of the time that you forgot on which side to fill the gas tank, lost track of the price of petrole, and once in your car, you want to go when the green light for bike and pedestrians turns green.

At first, when I strated commuting by bike, I was constantly trying to put my flashers on when turning with the bike. I even put the break on once trying to put the flasher on. Which was NOT a good idea. When I'd see a police car, my first thought was : omg, i'm not wearing my seat belt. Duh! I'm not in the car, I'm on my bike! Now it is the reverse situation. Once in the car, I drive as though I'm biking. I want to glide down hills, and take shortcuts. lol

Biking as totally reacquainted me with the city I live in. I have fallen in love again with the quality of life that it brings, a life on a human scale.

[Trigress]

You know you're addicted to cycling when you on finding out that the Centaur brake levers that you already have are 9g lighter than the Chorus brake levers that you were contemplating buying for then to burst out in loud cheering based on a truly heartfelt joy over this amazing fact. For then to rejoice that you can leave the brake levers where they are and just buy new time trial levers for the time trial bike you're building.

Come to think of it - building a time trial bike despite being last in all time trials ever participated in, and this number only being one, is a good sign of addiction as well I suppose.

[papaver]

Sitting here for about an hour or so, enjoying a cool beer and then realise you still have your helmet on. :o

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/leuven5.jpg

:D

[cylegoddess]

'You know you are addicted to riding your bike when you break down the grocery list in as many outings as there are items on the list, and go fetch those items, not at the store close to home, but at a store as far as you can think of, even in a different neighborhood.
You know you are addicted when the best time of your day IS the commute back and forth.'
Yes thats me!!
Oh and, your husband( who isnt keen on cycling) tells you - must you wear your helmet in the grocery store - it looks dorky( and you secretly think, no it doesnt! I paid a 100 bucks for this!):p

Also, you wear your padded shorts proudly with your clip clop duck walk shoes, and could care less that you get stares.

[lo123]

when you start calling out your actions while driving the car. "Slowing!" "Stopping!" "Rolling!"

Yeah, did that on the way home from a group ride last night. :p

[Geonz]

When you wake up and hear the weather forecast and think "what should I wear to ride?" instead of "should I ride?" ... and after a few months of that you sell your car to your brother, 'cause you got tired of driving it for an hour a month to keep it from rotting...

... when you automatically accelerate when you see police with radar...

... yea, when the "regular" commute just isn't long enough any more.... when if you're yawning at work it's because you didn't ride enough...

... yes, when I'm renting a car I automatically avoid the main arteries (and it's another reason to ride vehicularly -- if I ran lights on the bike, I'd probably do it in the car and kill somebody!) and I *do* call out the obstacles...

[Geonz]

Oh, yea... when you really do start calling people in cars "cagers."

[TrekTheKaty]

... when you automatically accelerate when you see police with radar...


Done that :D

[Trigress]

I think looking at men legs and thinking "weird, he's got hairs on his legs!" is a sign that one is a part of a subculture...

[mekira]

When you drive a very hilly road and wonder if you could ride it :)

[cylegoddess]

hairy legs, wierd!!! shaved legs, good!

[Zen]

When you drive a very hilly road and wonder if you could ride it :)

Do that often :)