Non dorky cycling gifts from enlightened people

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Such heartwarming and sweet stories from all of you!

I've had the most wonderful holiday weekend, full of simple comforts. DH and I were all on our own this weekend- all 3 grown children were off being busy elsewhere for this xmas.
So we decided to just do whatever we felt like this year. Didn't bother putting up any tree or lights...coffee in bed at dawn, ate apple pie with ice cream for our main Christmas dinner this afternoon(!), then pork loin leftovers this evening!
A continuous fire in the fireplace. A 3 hour ride yesterday (xmas eve) and a 2 hour ride this morning, on xmas day. (we were very lucky with having weather in the 40's)
Snuggling on the couch with our cool bike-related reading material we had gotten for each other, and a big ol' box of chocolate covered cherries. A nap "apres pie", phoning the kids... all good things that warm the heart, the mind, and the tummy.

And warm wishes to all of you TE "sisters"- your words inspire me every day of the year.

[xeney]

I have not been keeping up so I missed the love connection ... congratulations, you two! Couldn't happen to two nicer people.

We had a very bike-centric holiday. I bought my husband a new Ultegra triple crankset for his road bike, and some other gently used Ultegra components from Velogirl's virtual swap meet. (He is Mr. Thrift so I knew "gently used" would make him even happier than brand new.) He is all excited especially since he will need to buy some new tools.

He bought me a new wheelset for my mixte, a nice beefy set with a flip-flop hub in the rear. Plus new tires, because I am switching from 27" to 700c's. And now I should be able to use the fenders he bought me last year.

In a few hours his folks will be here and we will spring the news on them that they are going to be grandparents, and I suspect they will like that gift better than the stuff that is actually under the tree. My parents sure did.

Have a wonderful new year, everyone.

[Geonz]

So, I thought, "well, I just KNOW TE will be full of, oh, estrogenesque holiday TOUCH-FEELY stuff, and I'm not in the mood, call me Spock," but hey, bike gifts can't be bad, right?
SIgh... I've been sucked in
Merry, Merry, everybody.
Good stuff happening here, too...

[Duck on Wheels]

Congratulations, Xeney

[lauraelmore1033]

...and maybe getting it. I think I'm gettin' a new bike. We haven't opened our presents yet anyway because we're waiting for the kids to come over for dinner. (poor daughter in law has to WORK today!!). DH was looking through the ads in the paper this morning and held up an ad for a double bike holder and said I would probably be needing one of them if I was going to have two bikes. Knowing him, that means we will be going shopping shortly. Yay!

[wannaduacentury]

Well I got a bike related gift that I don't use on the bike. Ok I'll explain My mom and her(our) sewing friends got together to organize my present unbeknowest to me Well I got a blue denim long sleeve shirt w/ Biker Chick embroidered in red on the back w/ a chicken on a bicycle. It is too cute. Along the same line, I got a quilted hanging quilt that has the same chicken on a bicycle in 3 frames and on the last one she goes endo over the handlebars(w/ red buttons as the hubs on the bike). Very colorful and pretty and one of a kind. As real bike gifts, I got another long sleeve jersey and a real bike floor pump w/ guage for shrader and presta valves, made by blackburn. It's a good one. Merry Christmas Everyone. I enjoyed your Christmas stories as well. Jennifer

[Xrayted]

Congrats on the bambino xeney!! I guess a little red tricycle is not far off in your future?

[RoadRaven]

I've had the most wonderful holiday weekend, full of simple comforts. DH and I were all on our own this weekend- all 3 grown children were off being busy elsewhere for this xmas.
So we decided to just do whatever we felt like this year. Didn't bother putting up any tree or lights...coffee in bed at dawn, ate apple pie with ice cream for our main Christmas dinner this afternoon(!), then pork loin leftovers this evening!
A continuous fire in the fireplace. A 3 hour ride yesterday (xmas eve) and a 2 hour ride this morning, on xmas day. (we were very lucky with having weather in the 40's)
Snuggling on the couch with our cool bike-related reading material we had gotten for each other, and a big ol' box of chocolate covered cherries. A nap "apres pie", phoning the kids... all good things that warm the heart, the mind, and the tummy.

This sounds just delightful... as much as I adore my children (4 teenagers and an 11 year old) I would love to have some of this kind of time with my man. Neither of us are into the christmas hype, and endeavour to downplay it for the kids without them losing what they perceive many others to be having. Small bought gifts or home-made gifts are the order of the day, and a quiet meal with each of the grandparents. We get together with the siblings/inlaws and the childrens cousins a few days after Christmas for a "sports day" where we eat leftovers, play a few games and end up down at the river if its hot. A family time without the pressure of a christmas meal or pressies for a thousand people.

But Lisa... your day is the kind I look forward to. A few phone calls to children/parents maybe, but essentially just me and him, and a bike ride.
A dream.

[pyxichick]

What great stories!

My mom gave me a pair of smartwool cycling socks, and on Dec. 24th, even though she had too much cooking and wrapping to do to come with me, told me to take her Subaru over to the U.P. and go xc skiing (she even paid for my trail pass.)

It's great to have family members who support our passions.

Happy Christmas, Solstice, Hannukah, New Year, etc. everyone!

love,
kate

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

But Lisa... your day is the kind I look forward to. A few phone calls to children/parents maybe, but essentially just me and him, and a bike ride.
A dream.

RoadRaven- don't worry- the day will come! And it sneaks up on by surprise...one day you realize that your kids are grown and on their own and you and your mate can frolic and do whatever you damn well please! (not that I don't adore my kids, mind you)
DH and I have a big wooden bed that the manufacturer called it's "Sumatra" line. This inspired us to think of ourselves as a pair of monkeys sleeping up in our nest of leaves high up in the Sumatran jungle canopy. From our leavy nest we can be bad and throw fruit pits (and other things!) down on the unsuspecting passersby on the jungle trails far below... all while having our morning coffee in bed of course...