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

[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.

[Biciclista]

she's alive and well on Facebook.

[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

[PscyclePath]

All the ladies up above have given good advice...

If I were in your shoes, I'd say something like "Screw the 20 pounds... let's lose about 180" and dump the manipulative boy/girlfriend. Nobody that you care about (or who cares about you) deserves to be treated teh way you describe.

Buy the new bike. It'll be better company, take you new places, and maybe change your life for the better. It's a big ocean, and there are a lot of better fish out there in the pond.

[PamNY]

Have you looked at used bikes? I just got a really good deal on Craigslist. It took a long time, but I found exactly what I wanted -- like new and about half retail.

It has slightly smaller tires and different shifters, but I hopped on it and rode home (in Manhattan) with no problem -- though I did wait till after rush hour.

Why don't you just start looking for bikes and see where it leads you? You can get good advice about bikes here -- I got a whole tutorial on how to evaluate a used bike.

If you don't want people commenting on your personal life, just don't mention it.

[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!

[zoom-zoom]

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

Yep, my ankle still is not right a year later. Though that's more from doing everything wrong in the first 48 hours after injury than it was from the injury itself, I'm certain. Continuing to run, standing around, minimal icing, minimal elevation, drinking of beer...yeah, pretty much textbook what NOT to do on a fresh sprain!

[Owlie]

Even the beer?

[zoom-zoom]

Even the beer?

Heh, yep...anything that thins the blood is kind of a no-no, since it increases bleeding and swelling at the injury site, which increases damage.

[Owlie]

Heh, yep...anything that thins the blood is kind of a no-no, since it increases bleeding and swelling at the injury site, which increases damage.

I'd think it'd have a net dehydrating effect...unless it somehow acts as a vasodilator and makes already leaky blood vessels even leakier. I can't find anything about vasopressin acting as a vasoconstrictor except in large doses, though.
/nerd

Probably not a good idea to imbibe anyway due to interactions with painkillers and all that, though.

[zoom-zoom]

Probably not a good idea to imbibe anyway due to interactions with painkillers and all that, though.

That too!