Twinges- freda cycling inferiority

[lph]

I admit to sometimes feeling a little superior to my snobbish bike buddy, when I smoke him on the uphills on my used bike that costs 1/6 of his italian dream machine. But I lucked out on a good deal and had a good buying experience, so in a way my bike is MY own dream machine. I'm already looking at replacing components after having had it less than a year, but it doesn't bother me because the bike didn't cost me much in the first place.

I probably would never drop a lot of money on a bike. But I do think it's better to use a lot of money on a really nice bike than on, say jewelry, or a designer sofa. Not that's it any of my business how people use their money anyway (and you could always argue that one should give it to charity instead) but still it makes more sense to me to buy something really really functional AND beautiful, that helps you get fitter and enjoy your sport all the more, than to buy something that's just decorative.

[crazycanuck]

Nice bike bike yip yip!!! Jewelry..nyah..

[redrhodie]

Chiming in here, (WITH my still-bad eyes). I still feel like a poseur (sp?) even if I'm in my gear, on my road bike.

Still bad eyes !? Have you seen another Dr? Hasn't it been a few weeks since your surgery?

I felt the "my bike's too good for me" feelings when I first got it, but now, I'm just so happy on it, it was money well spent. I figure most of the guys you see on fancy bikes are in the same boat, riding for reasons other than competetive racing, so their all too busy with their poseur-ing (is that a word?) to notice mine.

As fer you jewelry nay sayers, I want to point out that owning a piece of jewelry is not the worst thing you can spend your money on. Gold holds its value well and can actually appreciate (it's nearly quadrupled in price in the past few years). Sad to say this, but a wedding band will most likely outlast any bike. There are more frivilous things you could do with your money than spend it on jewelry. This message was brought to you by the goldsmiths of America ! Yeah, I'm a jewelry designer. Yeah, I also love my bike more than any stupid piece of jewelry, but I gotta eat, too.

[bounceswoosh]

I felt the "my bike's too good for me" feelings when I first got it, but now, I'm just so happy on it, it was money well spent. I figure most of the guys you see on fancy bikes are in the same boat, riding for reasons other than competetive racing, so their all too busy with their poseur-ing (is that a word?) to notice mine.

I had an epiphany while riding today. Like most ephiphanies, it doesn't sound profound, but it felt profound. Who cares if my bike is better than I am? So I'm not an amazing rider. Does that mean I don't benefit from better shifting under load? Does that mean I don't benefit from a better fit? The hand-picked components, where I chose SRAM shifters because they allow me to more comfortably shift -- just because I'm not an awesome rider, does that mean I don't deserve to have my shifters where I can reach them easily? And if someone really does have an attitude about whether I deserve this bike, why should I care? The only reason I would care is because I would share something of that attitude. But I think, as of my epiphany this afternoon, I don't care.

On the other hand -- riding such an awesome bike does inspire me to become a better rider. And I'm okay with that.

Oh, yeah, and I love me some nice jewelry. I have a few relatively cheap pieces I adore, and a few "real" pieces that I also adore. I don't feel bad about spending the money on the nice pieces. They give me pleasure. But somehow I feel like spending on jewelry is more culturally acceptable than on bikes, so somehow we feel that the only "excuse" for being so wasteful would be to be so incredibly amazing as to be pro-level or something.

Screw that. I just want to ride.

[shootingstar]

As fer you jewelry nay sayers, I want to point out that owning a piece of jewelry is not the worst thing you can spend your money on. Gold holds its value well and can actually appreciate (it's nearly quadrupled in price in the past few years). Sad to say this, but a wedding band will most likely outlast any bike. There are more frivilous things you could do with your money than spend it on jewelry. This message was brought to you by the goldsmiths of America ! Yeah, I'm a jewelry designer. Yeah, I also love my bike more than any stupid piece of jewelry, but I gotta eat, too.

Hey red, I wear primarily earrings. That's the only jewellery plus thick clasp bracelets occasionally (not bangles).

As a strong selling point for future, why not think of innovative jewellery designs that women who engage in sports like cycling can wear safely? WEaring gold studs is..just boring... that is, if one is not bike racing. Why bother piercing ears then if only wearing studs most the time? I have several handmade silver earrings because that's what I buy at handmade arts/crafts shows. I love them but some of them I cannot wear on bike. I do have my 1 pair of real gold earrings which are a bit unusual in design...3-D triangles that open halfway. Yes, I can wear them without them falling off when I am on bike.

As for old poseur feeling ...in flashy gear or on flashy bike..it must be hangover abit from my kid days...I was your typical skinny bookish nerd in high school.

but true, as the last poster before said, 1 flashy piece of cycling wear/gear or bike can inspire one abit to do better.. like wearing your colours proudly/happily.

[Zen]

How did this get to jewelery?



.

[RoadRaven]

I had an epiphany while riding today. Like most ephiphanies, it doesn't sound profound, but it felt profound. Who cares if my bike is better than I am? So I'm not an amazing rider. Does that mean I don't benefit from better shifting under load? Does that mean I don't benefit from a better fit?
....
And if someone really does have an attitude about whether I deserve this bike, why should I care? The only reason I would care is because I would share something of that attitude. But I think, as of my epiphany this afternoon, I don't care.
...
Screw that. I just want to ride.

I am at the low end of the club in terms of road racing
I hope to become relatively good in time trials for my age/gender

But I love riding... I enjoy just being on a bike
I truly believe that if you enjoy something, then you should have the gear/equipment that you want
So what if I will never be selected for an internationsl team or represent my country at the Olympics... I deserve good equipment as much as the next person... as much as bounceWhoosh

GREAT epiphany!!!

[lph]

How did this get to jewelery?
.

I brought it up, because I compared buying an expensive bike to buying expensive jewelry. Redrhodie - I hear you, and I know that jewelry in fact probably is longer lasting than a nice bike I'm just one of the ones who'd be scared to have expensive stuff (anything, really) because I'd be afraid I'd lose it or break it.

Bounceswoosh put it better - it's culturally acceptable to buy expensive jewelry or a gorgeous dress without being Nicole Kidman, so there's really no reason one should feel wrong about buying a nice bike without being a pro-level rider.

My calves are aching. I have to go lie down

[redrhodie]

I brought it up, because I compared buying an expensive bike to buying expensive jewelry. Redrhodie - I hear you, and I know that jewelry in fact probably is longer lasting than a nice bike I'm just one of the ones who'd be scared to have expensive stuff (anything, really) because I'd be afraid I'd lose it or break it.

My calves are aching. I have to go lie down

How was the race?! I'll look for the full report later. You're writing, so it couldn't have been all bad!

No need to defend your position on jewelry! I feel the same way, and I can fix it if it breaks. Most of us would rather buy bike stuff.

Sorry for the hyjack, Zen. I's to blame.

[Tuckervill]

still hijacking...

I wear my french wire earrings with backs on them. Usually just the little plastic tubes that they sometimes come secured to the card with. You can buy the little tubes at the craft store in the jewelry making section.

If I have my hair down, they can't be seen. You can snip them in half, too.

Karen

[Zen]

But I love riding... I enjoy just being on a bike

And that is the crux of the biscuit.
[/QUOTE]

[Zen]

GREAT epiphany!!!

Indeed!

[Tokie]

Besides always dropping $$$ on bicycles and upgrades, clothes and cycling accessories......I also buy very nice comfortable lightweight eyeglasses almost every other year. They are usually expensive too, especially after the progressive bifocals. ( I have a tiny head, and the only Costco glasses that fit are the kiddie ones) When my friends and colleagues comment on this indulgence, I always say "it's cheaper than smoking", which it is. Not that I ever smoked! So I guess you could use that analogy for bike expenses, AND when the money is spent, it's not "up in smoke!". I also remind my (non-cyclist) friends who question my cycling expenditures that I ride over 5,000 miles a year, so that comfort on my bike really is a big deal for me! Enjoy your bike, what ever bike, clothes etc that make you happy! Tokie

[BeeLady]

When I began cycling it was with a group that met at the LBS. Most of the folks were in lycra and jerseys, so I bought the stuff, too. I do appreciate "technical" clothing from my backpacker days and really didn't differentiate the different types of bikes, riders, etc. I began on my 10-year-old hybrid two years ago.

When I got my Volpe I always wore my "cycling clothes" except that I would wear a skirt over my Lycra when I would be grocery shopping and stuff like that.

It was with great relief that I saw in the commuter section that many of the riders ride in street clothes. Now I do also, unless I'm going for 10 miles or more or a group ride or whatever. Fortunately I have some technical (wicking) blouses that are not jersey and look more regular.

Now with my Big Dummy I feel very uncool as the kids (who can afford) and who have these bikes ride them in flip-flops as the ultimate "non-biker" look. So, being a dorky old lady I am riding in shorts and shirts (but technical, not jerseys.) But I have to go clipless as I just need that advantage.

Maybe one day I will have a road bike and then all my lycra will be put to good use.

One idea -- I would not like even ONE person decide they can't/won't ride a bike because they won't wear lycra, can't afford all the fancy gear, the right shoes, etc. I would like to be an advertisement that says "Bikes are the coolest thing ever invented and we all need to be on one!"