Non dorky cycling gifts from enlightened people

[tprevost]

A few weeks ago, I was talking with my parents about my obsession with triathlon, and explained to them the difference between road bikes and TT/tri bikes. My stepdad eventually handed me a blank piece of paper and told me to write down exactly what I was looking for in a tri bike... size, frame, components, everything. He said it would be my Christmas present, sky's the limit.

I handed the paper back to him, blank, explaining that if I wanted a tri bike like that, I'd have to earn myself... through sweat, training, racing, exhaustion, whatever it took. My road bike will do for now. I'm so grateful that my folks are supportive, but triathlon is just something I have to do (and buy) for myself, even if I can't afford the best bike out there.

So... under the tree yesterday morning I find a little box with my name on it, and inside are five crisp new $100 bills and a note saying: "You won't let us buy you a bike, so here's your new Kangaroo wet suit. Love, mom and dad."

My folks rock, even if they confused "Kangaroo" with "Quintana Roo".

... what a great post! You brought tears to my eyes ... enjoy your new "kangaroo" wet suit and be sure to post lots of pictures of your events! The last one was very adorable

trac'

[Tuckervill]

Direct quote from my DH this morning:

"It's the coolest thing to walk into Sears and get all my wife's gifts, and never have to leave the tool department."

He spent all yesterday morning in the shop "assembling" something for me. Turns out it was a work bench with pegboard, to go with the bike stand, complete bike tool set, and the Craftsman screwdrivers and wrenches to go with it!

He gets it.

[margo49]

Wow!, Tuck-tuck-tuckie
That is so nice.
Also shows he is thinking about *you* and not "the wife" and buying a sterotypical/generic present.

[Bluetree]

Tuck, BCIPam - How wonderful you have such thoughtful people in your lives!

KSH - I don't think it's a matter of being strong, I see it as avoiding becoming something I despise. I grew up as the only poor kid in a VERY affluent area, so I always hated entitlement - people getting things they didn't earn for themselves. Plus, I'd feel foolish riding a $4000 bike in a community sprint tri!

Kit - Anytime you want to ride the SoCal beaches, my couch is yours (as long as you don't mind me tromping out of there 4am!)

Merry Everything and Happy Forever, everyone!

[Hammer]

My boyfriend is cool... He got me a Saris Bones bike rack for the trunk of my car. I hope that it works well!! He's good to me. Buys stuff, but researchs it first. I'd hoped that he would get me that. He said I couldn't buy one myself a couple months ago, so I thought I probably would get it. But didn't want to get my hopes up too much. There could've been other items taht he'd have found.

I'm hoping for a gift card to a sports store or two yet... Christmas isn't over. There are gifts that I'm still anxious to hand out.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

[jeannierides]

My sweet S/O got me a pink *pretty and strong* Chris King headset to go on the bike that we'll be ordering soon... Also water bottles, rearview visors, salsa flip lock for my seatpost (for easier adjusting)... non-cycling - about 10 lbs(!) of pink M&M's & my favorite parfum! What a guy!

Merry Everything and Happy Forever, everyone!

What she said.

[KnottedYet]

My bike (Flossie) got these great water bottle cages and a pair of matching water bottles (Soma bottles, my favorites) from her gf. (Menace)


I got this hot babe from TE. Whoooeeee!


Lucky for all 4 of us, she owns Menace...

[mtkitchn]

Haven't been on the TE boards in a while, and I'm sure glad I came to peruse tonight! Great stories from everyone, especially those who found new love for the holidays!!!
Brings a tear to my eye!!!!