$ I need ideas

[Melalvai]

Spend it on memberships to local, state, and national bicycle advocacy organizations. Depending on what sort of bicycling you do, the national bike adv group could be the League of American Bicyclists, or Rails to Trails, or any of several options.

If you haven't already had Traffic Skills 101, that's a good investment.

Still $$ left over? Save it for next year's memberships.

[surgtech1956]

I vote bank too. I would save it for bike items that I want or need in the future. What about using some of it for a Road ID?

[Veronica]

I'd use it for a trip - either put towards a tour or just used to pay for hotel rooms to go somewhere and ride.

Veronica

[limewave]

Custom headbage, I'd LOVE one of those for my mountain bike.

I like the Garmin or the bike trip as well.

[redrhodie]

If you live in a place with cold winters, and your bike has clearance for them, how about studded tires? They would cost less than half your budget, so you can bank the rest, and they will extend your riding season. I know it's crazy to think about them when summer is just beginning, but they were one of my best purchases.

[Jiffer]

SPEND IT FRIVOLOUSLY!!!!

I agree that the gift giver probably wanted you to spend it on something for your enjoyment. They could have BOUGHT you something for your enjoyment had they known what that was. (But since you don't even know, how do THEY know?!)

I 100% agree with the Garmin idea. I have a Garmin Edge and LOVE it. Couldn't possibly live without it. But then again, I'm a stats freak. And because I'm always blowing my nose when I ride and go potty often, my husband calls me the Snotty, Potty, Stat Queen.

I must know how fast I'm going, how fast my current "lap" is, my over all average pace, how far I've gone, how far I have to go, what percent incline I'm on . . . and everything else there is to possibly know. And I have a record of pretty much all of it on bikejournal.com

Another option is to lighten your bike, if you so desire. You know, if you're one of those "weight weeny" types . . . like me. Do you have really light wheels? Are there any other components on your bike that could be lighter?

What about your cassette? Is it the optimal cassette for your goals? My cassette helps me climb better, cause I need all the help I can get. My wheels do the same, while my husband's wheels are made more to help him ride fast on the flat.

If you DO decide to put the money in the bank, I would only "approve" such insanity . . . . . . if you figured out something you really wanted that costs more than $400 and you were saving for it.

A Garmin Edge seems to fit nicely into that price range, though. You'd even have some left over for some new socks, a couple of sports bras and some CamelBak bottles. Maybe some sweet PINK handlebar tape!