AND another thing..

[elk]

I felt kind of badly about spending SO much $$$ on all these winter riding clothes...but truth is, most of it we get on sale (right!)? AND it has been SO worth it.

I told my DH (who goes a little pale around the gills as the boxes arrive daily) that I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth from most of them...and they are so well made that they'll last many winters to come.




besides. i think of all that $$ i'm saving on not buying expensive american spirit cigarettes..(gag)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

OMG, that's right, I forgot that you were a smoker before you started riding bike not that long ago! Congratulations AGAIN for kicking that totally NASTY habit! (from one who was there)
It's not even the money for the cigarettes themselves so much as the major money you would have spent on illness and doctors visits as the smokes made you more and more unhealthy every year. That's where trading your smokes for a bike and a new lifestyle is going to save you heartbreak, pain, and untold thousands over the years to come. Plus, you will be gaining muscle and losing fat and your heart and lungs will get stronger and healthier from the exercise, not only from the stopping smoking. What an incredible gift to give to your husband!

What's a few hundred bucks in good wool clothes compared to that?

My DH loves riding too, and though he buys fewer biking clothes than me, he still buys his share of "good stuff" of various brands. We kid each other....when he gets a package I say "Sweetheart!-your daily bike parts delivery is here!"
And when I get a package (even if it's the only thing I've gotten all week and it's just a used book from Amazon or some vitamins or something) he'll call out "Sweetie!- your daily Ibex delivery is here!". We have fun with it, even when we are not buying anything.

[mimitabby]

We kid each other....when he gets a package I say "Sweetheart!-your daily bike parts delivery is here!"
And when I get a package (even if it's the only thing I've gotten all week and it's just a used book from Amazon or some vitamins or something) he'll call out "Sweetie!- your daily Ibex delivery is here!". We have fun with it, even when we are not buying anything.

you guys are worse than US!!!

and yes, Elk, how wonderful that you quit smoking!
you are entitled to SPEND!!!

[Triskeliongirl]

I hear you. I too have spent the last couple months in a shopping frenzy as I lost weight and had to replace my regular and cycling wardrobes. At one point, my husband was also concerned about all the deliveries until I explained that I had to send back more stuff than I kept due to the size inconsistencies. Guys don't get that part. They buy clothes by body measurement, and for the most part manufacturers make the clothes to match the posted body measurements. Why can't they do that for us gals???

But yes, I am glad I have the gear. Take yesterday. I never would have ridden except I just had to know if I would stay dry in a cold wet windy drizzle in my new goretex pants and craft rain jacket. The clothes keep me healthy and sane, and I was careful to buy stuff I can also use for skiing or other outdoor activities. So I do think it is money well spent. And good clothes do last a long time, as long as our bodies don't keep changing size.

[elk]

I hear you. I too have spent the last couple months in a shopping frenzy as I lost weight and had to replace my regular and cycling wardrobes. At one point, my husband was also concerned about all the deliveries until I explained that I had to send back more stuff than I kept due to the size inconsistencies. Guys don't get that part. They buy clothes by body measurement, and for the most part manufacturers make the clothes to match the posted body measurements. Why can't they do that for us gals???

But yes, I am glad I have the gear. Take yesterday. I never would have ridden except I just had to know if I would stay dry in a cold wet windy drizzle in my new goretex pants and craft rain jacket. The clothes keep me healthy and sane, and I was careful to buy stuff I can also use for skiing or other outdoor activities. So I do think it is money well spent. And good clothes do last a long time, as long as our bodies don't keep changing size.

EXACTLY!!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

All so true.

The fact is, the clothes I wear for cool weather biking (good quality wool stuff, leggings, boots, wool socks, base layers, vests, neck gaiter, gloves....) is (except for the chamois items and the hi-vis yellow safety items) all stuff that I just wear every day anyway! I often go for cold walks during my day, or out into the cold for errands, etc. It's all comfy breathable clothing that looks nice on me for everyday wear. It looks sporty, but not in a weird way. It certainly is not all skin tight lycra plastered with Tour De France or Lucky Charms logos. Looks more like stuff you might go cross country skiing or hiking in or sipping hot cocoa in or something.
Interestingly, I used to wear black leggings and stretch capris for years even before I got into biking, so the change was not dramatic. I'm just an aging beatnik.

[madscot13]

I head that when peopel quit smoking they eat compulsively. I think shopping compulsively may be a bit easier on the waist line, especially when it is for biking clothes!

And do you ever get tired of hearing congratulations?

[elk]

No...never get tired of praise...

its all so true...and all so good!! I even wore my Shak zip to school today
and I couldn't wait to get home and go for a ride in the cold...

[teigyr]

Elk, you've picked up a far better habit!

And, alas, my husband has taken to noting that even if he doesn't buy me presents, somehow they magically appear through the mail. I keep telling him you have to spend money to save money but, alas, I am not so sure he's of the same mindset.

Anyway, you must have cold weather riding clothes. I have some but nothing all that great. I'm not saying I'd ride if I had them because I'm a wuss but if I were to ride, I'd need them.

I love things in the mail though

[mimitabby]

Oh, I love things in the mail too. Thanks for starting this thread Elk!

[elk]

Oh, I love things in the mail too. Thanks for starting this thread Elk!

LOL...I listen for that special chorus of dog barks that tell me the UPS, FEdEx, DHL or mail truck is here....
Although I took a load of stuff to the UPS store to send back and think its prudent to figure THAT cost in too!!

Too bad Zappos doesn;t have better prices...shipping is free both ways. ANd actually..they WILL price match. hmmmmmmm

The JJill catalog just doesn't interest me much anymore!!!!

[Triskeliongirl]

It is interesting how my cycling wardrobe and everyday wardrobe merged, as I sit here at work typing this with my terry thermal vest over my street clothes. Works great to warm up my everyday rain parka, or take the chill out of a cold office........ I even bought that pretty PI gavia jacket, not that I so much needed another cycling jacket, but its as nice to have that layer off the bike as it is on.

[short cut sally]

Elk, think of all the money that you have saved by stopping smoking. You are investing that same money into material items vs. just blowing smoke. You are healthier because of that and I'm sure you look great in that new cycling attire that you so deserve. My DH and I don't exchange at xmas. We buy what we want all year long. After 22 years, works well for us. I do however, figure that I bought enough from the Terry 1/2 sale to last for years to come. Yes, the CC was in shock over what was spent but you only go around once. I have warm clothes and more warm clothes to wear on that bike or out skiing. I lack for nothing when it comes to biking attire, and I do use a good share of it for xc skiing..so, I really get my $$$'s worth. (My work clothes suffer, I will go without meals on the table, the cat will have to go on a diet before I go without a good biking item) And we should all be fashion-istas' on our bikes..I do love Sandra's new tierra though..wonder how we could mount that on the bike helmet?

[GLC1968]

My DH loves riding too, and though he buys fewer biking clothes than me, he still buys his share of "good stuff" of various brands. We kid each other....when he gets a package I say "Sweetheart!-your daily bike parts delivery is here!"
And when I get a package (even if it's the only thing I've gotten all week and it's just a used book from Amazon or some vitamins or something) he'll call out "Sweetie!- your daily Ibex delivery is here!". We have fun with it, even when we are not buying anything.

This exact same thing happens in our house, too!

And I've gotten him hooked on wool now, so when I order something for me, I also get something for him and that usually softens him up a bit!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Zappos shipping is only free "both ways" if the first pair doesn't fit and you are exchanging the size. If you are just returning the new shoes altogether because you decide they are not what you want, you have to pay your own shipping back.

Oops, my mistake Sandra- I am thinking of Onlineshoes.com
Here is their policy:

As our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee states, if you are not totally satisfied with your purchase, you may return the merchandise to us within 90 days for a refund or exchange. Here's how to make a return in just 2 easy steps:
1. You should have received a return form and return address label in your package. Simply fill out the return form and pack the shoes and your form in the original shipping box. If you didn't receive a return form, you can download one now.
2. Take your package to your local post office, local UPS store or nearest UPS drop-off. If you are returning your merchandise for refund, you are responsible for postage costs to ship the item(s) back to us. (We cover the return shipping cost on exchanges. Click for more details.
You will receive credit on your account within one week from the date we receive your package. Please note, you may not see the credit on your account immediately. Most banks take up to one week to transfer funds on a credit.
It is our policy to refund the cost of merchandise only, original shipping charges, if applicable, are non-refundable.