As some of you know, I started riding again this May after being off the bike for a couple of years. The good news is that I already had the bikes and most of the necessary equipment to start riding again. However, it's always fun to go shopping, so the $$ have been racking up over the past couple of months.

Here's my "Mastercard ad" for recent bike related expenditures:

1. Custom hitch for car. $ I'm pretty embarrassed about how much I paid for this, but on the other hand, it was the catalyst for me to get riding again, so I guess that makes it "priceless."

2. BVG Hitch rack. $200.

3. Glue for patch kit. A must have, since the other glue had long since dried up. $3

4. New jerseys. $90.

5. New pairs of bike shorts. $80.

6. Replacement Look cleats. $15.

7. Krebs bike map. $12.

8. Bike-related books. $50.

9. Brooks saddle + shipping. $75

10. New tubes. $15.

11. Heart rate monitor. $60.

12. Tune up. $50.

13. Pedals just in case the Bianchi becomes a commuter bike. $35.

14. Being able to bring the bike with me so I can ride with my Dad. Priceless.

Whoo, I've racked up $1500! No DH to have to explain this to, so that's good. Good thing I got a couple of employee referral bonuses!

-- Melissa