I want to replace my 25 year old bike but my bf says I should diet and lose 20 lbs?

[socaljewel]

There's lots of advantages for me in biking with biking wunderkind. I never have to look at a map. I never have to load the bikes onto the bike racks. I never have to spend any money on bike maintenance. on my own I wouldn't bike let alone bike 5 hrs and cover 73 miles. But there are limits to how much even he will do. For some reason, he lives like a penniless graduate student. But he's happy so who am I to argue. My kids spend money like water and they're miserable. I am so impressed with women who know how to maintain their bikes. I must be learning something from being around the bf and watching him. Maybe one day I will be able to change a tire or replace cables or change a broken spoke.

[Biciclista]

what is biking wunderkind?

[Crankin]

wonderkind= genius

Something sounds terribly wrong here....

[indysteel]

Troll or trainwreck, take your pick. Either way, I don't want to touch this with a 10-foot pole.

[goldfinch]

People can have married boyfriends.
People can have controlling boyfriends.
People can have stingy boyfriends.
People often exaggerate when telling stories.

But can a person who is old enough to have adult children ride a too big mountain bike 50 miles when riding only four days a month? Can they ride their 35 pound "big tire" bike 73 miles in five hours? If nothing else, the OP has a tough rear end.

Socaljewel (if you are for real), you said that you would not bike on your own. You mentioned the boring mountainbike trail. Maybe biking isn't for you. Maybe you are a runner.

[socaljewel]

my hats off to all of you women. I wish I knew all the things you know. I wish I had the energy to go biking on my own. Running requires no equipment and no hauling the equipment around and there's no risk of bodily injury from crashes at high speeds. I hope one day to be as self sufficient and as knowledgable as you guys are.

[redrhodie]

I hope you can find the strength to ride your ride. It's pretty liberating to be able to hop on the bike whenever you want, and ride as fast as you want, with no one to tell you you're doing it wrong.

I think you have the strength and the knowledge already. I think the thing you are lacking is something else, maybe self esteem. The ability to learn to change a flat, to ride alone, to buy the bike you want without needing someone else's approval, just needs to be harnessed. You need to realize your own worth, and put that first.

[wannaduacentury]

I hope you can find the strength to ride your ride. It's pretty liberating to be able to hop on the bike whenever you want, and ride as fast as you want, with no one to tell you you're doing it wrong.

I think you have the strength and the knowledge already. I think the thing you are lacking is something else, maybe self esteem. The ability to learn to change a flat, to ride alone, to buy the bike you want without needing someone else's approval, just needs to be harnessed. You need to realize your own worth, and put that first.

+1 I'll say this very kindly, you need a break from your bf, doing so would give you a breath of fresh air to think on your own two feet. As some of the others have said, join a local group in your area and dive into biking. A new bike is lightweight to load and unload. You're stronger than you think. But you need a clear head and get out from under his thumb which is seriously dragging you down in many areas. I wish you the best. Get out there and get riding. jw

[Trek420]

The stuff I know I learned right here on TE, and my LBS, and local bike clubs ... I did not come to the forum knowing it although I've always ridden a bike and used to run. It's a long process of read, ride, write a report, get feedback, read, learn, ride again alone or with a group ... repeat ...

Long live TE

[Antaresia]

Wait, is it even possible to have been married for 29 years and still wear clothes from junior high? Those things must be so thread bare, I would assume multiple arrests for indecent exposure would be worth shelling out a few bucks for a new shirt.

So much of this post screams troll! But the DIY gatorade sounds cool.

OP, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt because being in an abusive relationship SUCKS when people don't believe you, or think you must be exaggerating, or don't understand why you don't just leave....
but seriously. If all this is for reals you need to find support and dump this jerk. Worry about the perfect bike once you get your life back in order.

[zoom-zoom]

So much of this post screams troll! But the DIY gatorade sounds cool.

I have a recipe...I will post it.

[Cataboo]

I've heard from her in email. She's taking a team estrogen break.

[gnat23]

Running requires no equipment and no hauling the equipment around and there's no risk of bodily injury from crashes at high speeds.

A bit off-topic, but the only concussion I've given myself was from tripping and falling while trail running. So there's that.

-- gnat! ("Weren't you wearing a helmet?" "I was running.")

[zoom-zoom]

A bit off-topic, but the only concussion I've given myself was from tripping and falling while trail running. So there's that.

-- gnat! ("Weren't you wearing a helmet?" "I was running.")

Ha, the worst injury I ever incurred was while trail running, too...a grade 2 sprain that I continued to run on for 9.9 miles, since I was part of a relay team.

Guess what got me into cycling like I did a year ago...? Not being able to run at all for 5.5 weeks and only limited for closer to 12 made my bike my best friend.

[Biciclista]

Salsabike fell while running last year and her hand still isn't right. best to stay home in bed!