You know you've gone over to the dark side...

[pooks]

When you tell your hairdresser, "Cut it all off. I don't care how you do it, just anyway that's remotely cute. Now that I'm cycling and wearing a helmet, I just can't handle this mess any more."

When you tell your hairdresser two weeks later, "Cut more off. I'm on an off my bike several times a day. I may ask for a buzz cut next week. I DON'T CARE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. Just cut it OFF."

When you stop wearing makeup most of the time because you're slathering on sunblock several times a day, every time you go out on your bike.

When you decide you don't look that bad without makeup after all. (Wait, that's a sign of too much heat. Scratch that one.)

[Kitsune06]

... When you have said short hair, then say "Gel is my friend", crush little spikes under your helmet, commute, then remove helmet and re-wet with your water bottle, ruffle your hair/rehydrated gel to fix it and go on your merry way makeupless, and think it's perfectly feminine...

...when you slip a little on your bike and get a big black print on your calf from the big ring, look at it for awhile, then tell S/O "Wouldn't that look HOT as a tattoo?" as they stare at your calf with the expression...

...when you see a bump in the road and instinctively raise your butt out of the *car* seat!

[KnottedYet]

When you try to clip out of the gas pedal.

[pooks]

... when NOBODY seems to notice or comment on the photo of a rattlesnake crossing the road that MTKITCHN posted in the "What will you NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?" thread, because they're so focused on water, changing tires and sunscreen!

[wannaduacentury]

When you try to clip out of the gas pedal.

Sorry Knottedyet , I didn't see yours first LOL- I said brake pedal.

[Bikingmomof3]

When your doctor gives you potentially terrible news and the first thing you think is, "Thank goodness, it is not the bike. I can ride again!"

[oldbikah]

--when you find out (yup, it happened today) that your new biking friend is bald because in the last 8 months you have only seen him in a ski hat or a helmet

[Pyannyplayer]

*You're running out of closet and dresser space due to so many bike shorts, jerseys, bike socks, etc., and you clean out your WORK clothes to make room.....for more bike shorts, jerseys, bike socks, etc.

*You keep pictures of your dream bike on the fridge, your dresser mirror, in your wallet, and on your office wall.

*You and your husband/SO decide that EVERY anniversary is a "biking" anniversary and buy each other suitable "bike stuff". Who needs silver or platinum or gems? We can have CARBON!

*You have more energy bars than candy bars...and find yourself snacking on said energy bars (I love LUNA!).

*You dream in "bike"

*Your friend comes to pick you up for lunch and you say, "Finally the SAG wagon is here!!"

*You're in love with a guy or girl with a sexy "biker tan".....and it really is a turn on!

*You plan a family vacation around bike routes and visits to bike shops (yes, we did that this year!)

*Your water bottles color-coordinate with your bike/bike jerseys (that's me!)

*My favorite: You can barely make it up in time to get ready for work, yet if you have to be up at 3:00 a.m. to leave for a tour/race/group ride, you're up early, raring to go!

Lorie

[mimitabby]

Normal people's legs look wimpy to you, even persons who are supposed to be particularly attractive.

you have 1/2 of two closets, another closet, and 4 dresser drawers for bicycle clothing and you still can't figure out where to put bike helmets and your camel backs!

[Aggie_Ama]

*When looking for your first house you can't get excited about one house because there is nowhere to ride from the neighborhood. You rule the house out because it would involve using the bike rack too much and shorten your long rides.

*You have more pictures of yourself and your husband on your desk/work bulletin board in lycra and bike helmets than regular clothes!

*You have trouble remembering the last time you bought DH a non-cycling birthday, Christmas or Anniversary present.

*You plan anniversary trips that involve organized rides in other towns. When your non cycling friends say "That was your anniversary?!" You just smile and say "Yep! And it was GREAT!"

[AllezGirl]

*you yell "slowing" when you hit the brakes in the car

*you pedal in your sleep

*you get as emotional when your 8yo son says "Mommy, I want a road bike" as you do when he says "Mommy, I love you" (it has now upgraded to "Mommy, I want a Time Trial bike"....that's my boy !)

*you are still wearing your old size 14-16 street clothes that hang on your now size 10 body because every penny of the clothing budget goes to bike wear

[salsabike]

YOU are funny! Good ones. I have LONG discussions with my hairdresser about how cycling is the primary determinant for how we cut my hair. Nuts, eh?

When you tell your hairdresser, "Cut it all off. I don't care how you do it, just anyway that's remotely cute. Now that I'm cycling and wearing a helmet, I just can't handle this mess any more."

When you tell your hairdresser two weeks later, "Cut more off. I'm on an off my bike several times a day. I may ask for a buzz cut next week. I DON'T CARE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. Just cut it OFF."

When you stop wearing makeup most of the time because you're slathering on sunblock several times a day, every time you go out on your bike.

When you decide you don't look that bad without makeup after all. (Wait, that's a sign of too much heat. Scratch that one.)

[annie]

When your kids say, "Mom - you are really grouchy today. Would you PLEASE go out for a bike ride?! "

When you ride off to work on your bike, smiling and waving to the car sitting in the driveway.

When you shop for work clothing at second-hand shops so you can afford TE clothing for your biking!

When your bike(s) lives in the same room as your computer and every time you look at it, you smile.........

When some of your favorite wine has a label with a bike...... regardless of the quality of the wine!

There's more - I know there are. But not tonight. I need some sleepy time.

annie

[salsabike]

When you've gotten hardened to the "$600 is an entry level bike" definition (shocking three years ago), and now believe that $1200 is an entry level road bike--and that it will be your first, but not your last. The bike equivalent of what we used to call "mission creep" at my old policy center--you know, how your definitions just start to mutate...