strange question

[run it, ride it]

I've been oogling my road bike since I snapped my clavicle. Just admiring the machine, apppreciating how my body can become part of it, looking forward to getting back in the saddle. I won't just put it away, even though I can't ride it for months. I want to tune it, feel it, remember it, look forward to it.

[KnottedYet]

I gaze at mine, pat them, talk to them....

[margo49]

Where'd you find that Lisa?
It's brilliant (accurate too!)

[CR400]

I really don't admire it as much as when I first got it, but it is still beautiful. It takes me places my car can't go. I had just got done with a 30mile ride leaned it up against the house, went to my car and turned around and it was like "wow" that really is a nice bike (also realized I keep that saddle much higher then the bars, if I had a flat stem I'd be in serious pain.). She often doesn't get the credit it deserves because it isn't a high end full out $5,000+ race bike. But she thinks she is. I felt so bad yesterday I was riding up this steep hill and got caught in a big gear. I shifted down twice and her derailer didn't sound happy about it. And I didn't want to change rings because I may drop the chain. So instead of making her take the hard gear changes I made my legs do the work. Boy did it hurt.

[madscot13]

CR 400,
I love my bike it is over 12 years old. I am 21 it has been around for more than half of my life. It was born when I was in elementary school. I got it used from a really nice lady and I was lucky because it is the only bike that fit me of the dozens I tried. I try to take good care of it, but my Tori (that is the name of her) likes it when we ride. The bike is phenomenal. I don't understand why it doesn't break of fall to pieces at this age (knock on wood).
And yeah I agree, I love the places it can take me. I don't have a car so it replaces it. It takes me to my internship in the enxt city over, job interviews, grocery shoppings, the U, and to school. I never thought I would be able to do these things without a car. I am amazed. I love my bike. Staring at it brings to mind a whole new world of oppurtunities.

[Crankin]

Lisa, where did you find that picture???
I need it!

Robyn

[7rider]

Whenever I can't find DH, he's usually in the furnace room, sitting on the old futon, staring at his ID8. When he can't ride it, he just goes down there and looks at it. He also likes to admire his mtb - but I think he's secretly distressed that it is currently too clean and needs to go get dirty.
I'll gaze at my Seven - usually admiring the welds. The other bikes are in other rooms, and I don't often hang out in the garage gazing at my commuter.

[silver]

Since Silver is unlikely to respond, I'll tell on her.

I bought her Madone while she was in the hospital following her wreck. It sat in the family room for about three months while she was unable to ride!

Now, my Saris bike rack is not good enough...her bike must ride in the car!

I don't think she's named it though

Hmmmm...I wonder who she loves more?

does this mean it's ok if I bring him back inside the house?

[IFjane]

Silver - LOL

I love my bike - and yes, I do talk to her & love to look at her. She just yesterday got new wheels & hubs & now I think she's perfect (for me). When I am not riding, she stays in our den/exercise room, near the trainer. When I walk by the door I almost always say, "Hi Godiva" or "Good morning/good night".... She is my baby....I have four furry ones, Godiva and.....oh yeah, my SO

[Starfish]

Well, my bike's name is Fred. For good reason. He is a GREAT bike, and I love him. I take good care of him, and he reciprocates.

But...

Although I love Fred, I have never been in love with him. I have lately found myself looking at a lot of internet pictures of other, more beautiful bikes. I keep telling myself I would like to get a beautiful playmate for Fred, maybe one named Ruby or Diva, but who am I kidding? Fred would become my rain bike.

[Zen]

Starfish,

All these years we've been together and it's come to this!?
How could you just put me out in the rain like that?
Haven't I been good to you?
Remember all those great times we had together?
I'm hurt.
Please baby please! Those others are all flash and no substance.
If you don't love me someone else will.

Sincerely,
Fred

[fultzie]

oh my goodness! my first bike's name is Fred, too!

I ended up getting him two playmates-- Lucy and Grace (mtb and road bike, respectively). And yes, Fred has become my rain/ ride-to-class bike.

BUT-- a friend of mine recently wanted to buy Fred, as her first road bike. And I just couldn't do it. I couldn't part with Fred. Too many memories/ miles.

And quite frankly, his life is still pretty darned good: he lives inside (how many commuters get to say that??), he has two gorgeous girlfriends (Lucy and Grace), and he probably gets ridden the most out of any of the bikes (being a commuter)!

[Blueaegis]

Someone wanted to buy my first real road bike. I couldn't part with her. She was my first. I still take her off the rack, clean her, admire her. She taught me a lot.

[DebW]

I have an old yellow and green Maino that I will never part with for sentimental reasons. It's now hanging in my garage without wheels. I don't talk to my bikes, but I love to feel their hubs, spin their wheels, and give their spokes a squeeze.

[Popoki_Nui]

Do you ever find yourself just staring at your bike and thinking how beautiful it is?

You bet I do! Sometimes I'll sit in my workshop and gaze at all of them at the same time, comparing lugs and frame angles, marvelling at how simple and beautiful bikes are. I'll think about the rides we've had together, the work I've done on them over the years, and the rides we -hopefully- will have in the future. Sometimes, when motivation is lacking, going into the shop and just staring at my faithful steeds is all I need to boost my energy and get me out for a ride. My bikes' names:
Gitane: "Geri" (Geraldine)
Bianchi MTB: "Vee" (Viaggiatore)
Bianchi road: "Bela Nero"
Falcon: "Raptor"
Kuwahara MTB: "Wo Fat"