Is the biking bug conagious?

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08-11-2010, 09:03 AM
skhill

Is the biking bug conagious?

...because it seems my brother has caught it from me!

He's had his Trek 7.3 fx for about 4 years, and he's used it for fair-weather jaunts around his neighborhood and occasionally for trips to the library and other places. But over the past few weeks, all of the sudden he's gone bike crazy! Late last week he called oh-so-proudly to tell me all about his first ever 25 mile ride, and about bonking for the first time. He was so excited, it was making me excited too...

And then he bought himself a rear rack and some panniers for his birthday last week. So Monday evening he did his first ever grocery shop by bike. He was just thrilled at his accomplishment-- and considering the route he took to avoid a really dangerous road, it was an accomplishment. (His alternate route involves a hole in a fence, a dirt path, and fording a creek). Last night we both rode down to a local coffee shop, so he could show off all his new gear. Looks good!

If the weather cooperates, we're going to go for a ride together this weekend. I promise to be on my best behaviour, and not drop him. No matter how tempting it is...

Isn't it great to see someone you care about falling head-over-heels in love with a bike?
08-11-2010, 09:32 AM
denda

Cool!
08-11-2010, 10:14 AM
Bike Chick

How wonderful, skhill! I would love it if my brother would catch the biking bug so we could spend time together enjoying a common interest. I can only imagine how tempting it would be to drop him--especially if he picked on you when you were growing up! Enjoy:)
08-11-2010, 11:26 AM
sgtiger

That's really great!
08-11-2010, 03:44 PM
korora

Yes, it's contagious, but the incubation period can be very long. DH and I commuted on our bikes in the Bay Area for years, mostly to the bafflement of his family. We left the country; now both his brothers are commuting by bike at least a couple of days a week, and both their spouses have recently acquired bikes.

The bug comes and goes, too. Until recently, I hadn't biked for months. Now I seem to be in some sort of acute phase of the affliction.
08-11-2010, 06:36 PM
tzvia

Yes my brother saw me in the throws of this terrible illness, displaying it's worst symptoms, buying two bikes, back in 08. Well he started out dusting off his old Faggin road bike (old Columbus tubed Italian made bike) and riding with me. Then he got really sick, and bought a Specialized Tarmac and a Trek Fuel EX8. Now he is working on restoring the old Faggin (pronounced Fah-zhine). So not only am I dealing with the weight loss, not 'being out of breath' climbing stairs, better sleep, more energy, better mental clarity, lower heart rate, lower blood pressure and better muscle definition, but he is too. We are both doomed :eek:.
08-12-2010, 02:23 PM
runningcyclist

Good stories there. Unfortunately I've not managed to infect anyone in my family but I live in hope :)
08-12-2010, 02:33 PM
buffybike

I actually liked having my "illness" all to myself (is that selfish?). I guess my DH got jealous of all the fun I was having and now he has the bug, too. I wouldn't mind so much except that he feels that he must have all the BEST equipment and has recently begun giving me training advice. Grrr.
09-09-2010, 10:28 AM
skhill

An update on the progress of my brother's biking infection: he just got his first pair of bike shorts... and he's already lusting after a new bike. So far, he's resisting, keeping in mind the expense and the lack of storage space in his apartment, but that won't last long...

And he decided he wanted to see what a proper road bike felt like, so I let him try out my beloved old cannondale. I wish I'd had my camera handy-- the bike verges on being a bit small for me, and my brother's about 9 inches taller than me. No wonder he thought it felt twitchy and uncomfortable!

We have gone out on a ride together, btw. I rode my own fx to even things out, and didn't drop him. Except on a couple climbs (being so much smaller than him was such an advantage I just *had* to sprint on up)...
09-09-2010, 04:26 PM
Dannielle

That's awesome!

I keep trying to infect people so I'll have people to ride with. Unfortunately I think they've all been vaccinated
09-10-2010, 05:53 PM
featuretile

I took my 22 year old son cycling when he visited the last few times (on his step dad's bike). He's decided to buy a bike. I thought he would get an entry level road bike, but no, he wants a Trek Madone or Specialized Tarmac. He's been emailing and calling me asking to look at this or that ad. It's been so fun
to be the expert.

I do believe the cycling bug can be contagious. But some people make all these excuses as to why it won't work, and they never will catch it. The biggest excuse is that it is not good to cycle from where they live (traffic of hills). I felt that way before and should have started years ago, but why beat myself up when I'm doing it now.
09-10-2010, 07:29 PM
esmorin

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffybike

I actually liked having my "illness" all to myself (is that selfish?).

This. I was enjoying it too. I wanted it to be 'my thing' that he couldn't have. but then my husband started getting into it too. I don't mind him having a bike (I encourage everyone to have one!!), but he started talking like a 'cool' mountain biker (whatever that is, I just know you 'bomb' down stuff, and 'fly'...you don't ever 'ride'..haha) and like he knew everything about bikes...and has put only a fraction of my time investment into it. It really bugs me. And I am so glad that you said this...it validates my feelings. So, thank you. :)