Is there any cure? Do I even want to be cured?

[sulis]

Hi, my name is Sulis and I am a bike addict! How do I know?

1. If the sun is out and the wind isn't bending the trees in half, I am anxiously trying to squeeze in a ride
2. I own more articles of clothing made out of lycra spandex than 10 normal people would admit to.
3. I won't spend $60 on a pair of work pants but have no problem plopping that much down for a wind jacket - its on clearance, I justify--quality makes a difference on a ride.
4. I own a road bike and am now trying to fudge the budget to justify the purchase of a hybrid (for commuting) and a mountain bike (because I live so close to the mountains) in the very near future.
5. Socks can no longer be plain black or white...they must be of wicking material and have some type of cute design
6. I am infecting people around me...including my 6 year old niece who now wants an Electra Townie Betty (the black one with the pink flames) for her birthday and a complete cycling outfit for Christmas (with padded shorts none the less - she even wrote it on her Christmas wish list - herself!)
7. This morning I find myself surfing the net for trunk bags and other "must have" accessories for the hybrid I don't even own yet
8. I find myself praying that the snow stays only in the mountains this year so I can ride more (of course it must snow in the valley from Dec 23rd through the 26th for Christmas, but after which it must melt quickly and stay in the mountains)

Any other addicts present?

[mimitabby]

oh, yeah, you are not alone.

I bought a non-cycling piece of clothing the other day. All my old feelings about I shouldn't spend came flying back. I had just picked up two little items in the bike clothing department and had no issues. It is a strange malady.

Now sometimes when I need to find something nice to wear, i think; I could wear that jersey...

This is a very hard time for me because we are so far north. i can no longer comfortably ride to work. and i NEED TO RIDE. MUST RIDE.

[short cut sally]

DH is making me confess also in this forum, that I am yet, another bike addict. I wake daily and wonder what the forecast and wind direction/gust will be, before I began biking, horrific winds could go on for days and I would never have noticed. I longily gaze at new, fancy bikes, knowing I can't afford them.. But gosh they are purty and have nice bling on them..My true addiction? Clothing. I will spend 40-60 on a good jersey, 60 on a good pair of padded shorts. But where do I do all of my general clothes shopping to afford such luxeries? Salvation Army! I hate spending good money on general appearance, who am I impressing anyways? I would never dream of spending 16-20 dollars on a flimsy t-shirt type shirt, but will spend that on a pair of wool socks that no one will ever see or appreciate. I have assorted padded shorts, knickers, and long tights all for varying lengths in ride and thicknesses to accomodate varying temperature changes. Same with long sleeve jerseys and jackets for the weather. I've learned alot about pricing and quality of garments and have a shelf full to prove it. But yet I feel I can't part with any thing on this shelf. DH tells me this madness must stop. I was told the first step to curing an addiction is admitting to it..I am not ready yet to take that first step of admission..Now that confession is over, I am off to see what cycling clothes are on sale . (Please no one tell DH, he thinks he can reform me once I"ve confessed my sins).

[Popoki_Nui]

You ladies hit it right on

[Bikingmomof3]

There is no cure and resistance is futile.

[Bad JuJu]

There is no cure and resistance is futile.

So just relax and enjoy your madness!

[momof4greatkids]

Hi, my name is Sulis and I am a bike addict! How do I know?

6. I am infecting people around me...including my 6 year old niece who now wants an Electra Townie Betty (the black one with the pink flames) for her birthday and a complete cycling outfit for Christmas (with padded shorts none the less - she even wrote it on her Christmas wish list - herself!)

Any other addicts present?

Gotta love your niece's sense of style!

I can relate to #6, I am very proud to say that I infected my dearest bestest friend and identical twin sister w/the cycling bug. She happens to ride a (very big, very fast) motorcycle. I mean, this is a VERY LARGE motorcycle.

Then there's me, on my lil ol' Trek hybrid. But my sister got interested after hearing how much I love cycling, and we agreed to go on a ride. It was probably one of the most gorgeous Ohio autumn mornings you could ask for. I had my nifty Trek hybrid, she had her son's klunky Wal-mart bike. We didn't get far, (and I mean, less than a mile!) and the chain fell off the clunky walmart bike.

This chain was wrapped, real tight, around the pedal cranks We couldn't get it off. Nice man stops to help. She witnesses the friendly camraderie of cyclists. And had first hand evidence of the wisdom of my advice to NOT just buy a cheap wally-world bike.

On the way back, we switch bikes. So she's on my Trek hybid after suffering on the klunky walmart mtn bike. Now I'm suffering on the klunky walmart bike Anyhow, she is AMAZED at the difference between the two bikes......and she's completely hooked.

Next business day, she's in her LBS, purchasing this years model of my Trek hybrid! Only SHE gets cooler accessories. And this years model has some really sweet upgrades like a carbon fork, and a really shiney paint job (mine's matte) Well, I couldn't be happier for her, (really!)

So not only did I infect her, she one-upped me on the bicycle! But it's incredible to have her as a riding partner, and we see lots of great adventures in our future!

Colleen

[Python]

Yep. Resistance is Futile

My birthday is coming up and my brother always sends me money to get what I want - the same at Christmas. No problem this year. I'll just be heading to the nearest LBS to see what goodies I can treat myself and my bike to

My son is getting the biking bug again too - which is good for him as recently he's been in and out of hospital like a yo-yo and needs to build up his strength again. He came a short ride with me today and as soon as he came in he went straight to the kitchen and came back out about 15 minutes later with a plate laden with food. It's the most I've seen him eat for a long time He's a renal dialysis patient, waiting for a kidney transplant and like many dialysis patients he has a poor appetite. Cycling, hopefully, even short runs will help build up his appetite again.

I'm using my bike more and more and I've only driven my car once in just over a week. I'm off out shortly for a trip to the supermarket and try out my new set of lights I got on Saturday.

Yes. Cycling is definitely very addictive

[Dianyla]

So, what exactly is the problem here?

[Python]

We need to infect more people with the cycling bug. Get them addicted. There are not enough cycling addicts

[sulis]

Gotta love your niece's sense of style!

Oh don't I know it. She goes to a department store with her mom and sees the bikes and always says "Thats nice, but my aunt is going to buy me a cooler one." She knows all about quality! Did I mention she already rides with bike gloves! If she was taller I think we would be getting her the Jr. Allez...ha ha ha.

[wannaduacentury]

6. I am infecting people around me...including my 6 year old niece who now wants an Electra Townie Betty (the black one with the pink flames) for her birthday and a complete cycling outfit for Christmas (with padded shorts none the less - she even wrote it on her Christmas wish list - herself!)

That is too cute!! I can see her now, cruisin the neighborhhod. and those are cute bikes too(and I'm sure your neice is adorable)

[Mimosa]

This addiction is SSSoooo bad.

I stopped buying regular clothes (only the things that are absolutely necessary) because I am saving up for a new bike. Every penny I can spare goes into the bankaccount, but I am almost there. I could have been there but first my washdryer died, then my washingmachine and then my stereo ... and was I pissed at having to take money out of my savings account for this "why know" I thought.

And I think I even got a friend infected. She first said "No I don't like cycling, too boring" but she then did some miles on her crapy mountainbike and she loved it. I offered that she can ride my current bike when I have my new one so we can ride together (after the winter). And she accepted enthusiasticly ... One down, who's next

Owh and next up are, a good race wheelset, getting a bicycle carrier for the car and joining a cyclingclub .... It keeps on coming, it will never end with this cycling.

[chickwhorips]

its in the water.

[CyclChyk]

Hello. My name is Petra and I am a bike addict.