Bike Lust is straining my (human) relationship

[limewave]

Its easy to look at cycling as an expensive/excessive hobby. The average person would look at a bike at Walmart and think that is good enough! Unless you are in the sport, it really is hard to understand the expense of investing thousands of dollars.

While coming to a compromise is a marital issue, I don't believe that its a sign of a bad marriage or even a problem. Its just one more situation where two people have two different perspectives and since you share a life (even one with separate bank accounts) a compromise needs to be found.

There is another angle to all of this, cycling is an investment in your health. DH and I don't have a lot of pricey toys either and we are often living paycheck to paycheck, but when it comes to running and biking we are willing to spend some money. It's preventative health care and saves us (hopefully) lots of medical expenses down the road!

I hope you are able to work something out and maybe even start cycling together!

[zoom-zoom]

While coming to a compromise is a marital issue, I don't believe that its a sign of a bad marriage or even a problem. Its just one more situation where two people have two different perspectives and since you share a life (even one with separate bank accounts) a compromise needs to be found.

ITA -- it's only a problem if one (or both) person(s) is unwilling to come to a sort of happy medium. I hope this is not the case for you, Medianox.

[lovelygamer]

Its easy to look at cycling as an expensive/excessive hobby. The average person would look at a bike at Walmart and think that is good enough! Unless you are in the sport, it really is hard to understand the expense of investing thousands of dollars.

I see this in my own life. As a new cyclist, I even reel with sticker shock on a regular basis. Not only are the bikes expensive, but so is the gear and accessories. Also, because they do sell bikes at Walmart, it's a pretty common misconception for many people.

There are many people who even though they like cycling, would never take part in it due to the cost. I know one. He cycles around town daily on a used commuter bike he's pieced together but hell never do anything more because of the costs. He always asks me about my cycling and he admires the longer distance rides but he has a tight fist on his wallet and doesn't spend money on things outside of living expenses.

My own family has disproved the money I have put out already just for commuter bike expenses EVEN though I am saving other monies on a regular basis. They can't see that savings as easily as they can see my receipt from the bike store for $200. To them, no hobby or sport is worth those kinds of costs.

I am no longer married so I don't answer to someone in the same way you do. Good luck with the issue!