Hyperventilating . . . just spent $$$ on a bike . . .

[velo]

I can relate on many different levels. I started back to serious riding in June of last year after a hiatus from racing/burn-out. A seasoned, but rusty veteran of cycling, I knew I'd want to buy something new and shiny, so I started saving then. I finally had the coin to buy it this past February. Having just plunked down a lot of $$$$ for that dream Italian bike, I wasn't looking to buy anything else soon, but kept my eyes peeled. I thought I'd be getting a cross or new mountain bike at some point. Nope - just this past week, along came a great little road bike (a 39cm. of all things! didn't know they made them that small!) for 11 year old dd. It only took one ride to see how much fun she was having. With the comment "O.K. Mommy, I get it. I'm hooked!" I knew it was worth the money. I don't mind putting off n+1 when now I have my favorite person in the world to ride with. Isn't it wonderful to see a new interest blooming in our own children and know we had a hand in it? Dd never got the kick out of her mountain bike like she has this road bike.

Where to put the bikes? I think that's a good question when space is at a premium. We don't have a garage, so I have my new Italian bike in the dining room, my aluminum Klein on the trainer in the basement family room and dd's bike is still hanging out in the entry way. The rest are in the mini-barn. At some point, I guess you just live with your bikes like they are part of the family... which they are if you're naming them.

I think your son is lucky to have a mother like you!

[Crankin]

I love this thread. As one who was hooked into cycling by my 14 y/o son, it has *totally* changed our lives. Everyone in my family rides now. Even though said son is now 28 and only is commuting to classes right now, I always feel like I owe him big time. He was very responsible with all of his bikes and learned a lot about mechanics, too while racing.
And on the "better than playing video games," I am working with a family where one of the biggest issues is the 12 year old boy being addicted to video games. He doesn't have so much of a problem when it's not winter, as he does soccer and can be outside, but the family can't afford winter sports. We've made a structure for rules around this and dad is the one who caves. Last week, I had the kid brainstorm a list of activities he likes, to combat boredom. We went from "nothing," to a list of maybe 15 things. I told him in a couple of weeks, I would bring my bike and we would ride. He lives about 2 miles from the orchard where we make a lunch stop on the hilliest local ride we do .