Dorky bike gifts from clueless people

[Eden]

Or this.

interesting use for recycled inner tubes.....

this one is a little more practical and our local shops collect tubes for them.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Here's maybe how my brother thinks of my biking:
http://www.manhattancruisers.com/Ima...-lil-daisy.jpg

[Eden]

Here's maybe how my brother thinks of my biking:
http://www.manhattancruisers.com/Ima...-lil-daisy.jpg

That's the basket!

[snapdragen]

Or this.

Finally! Someplace to shop for that special New Year's Eve outfit!

[KnottedYet]

Hmmmm, and I thought Stormy Leather's products were interesting....

[tygab]

Finally! Someplace to shop for that special New Year's Eve outfit!

wow, all I can say is I am going to the wrong NYE parties.

[oh and for the brave, type in "new year's eve outfit" in google, then click images. Some very interesting results.]

[SadieKate]

Wonder how easy it is to knit with strips of recycled inner toobes.

[Grog]

Here's maybe how my brother thinks of my biking:
http://www.manhattancruisers.com/Ima...-lil-daisy.jpg

Well my city bike (featured here: http://www.mielebicycles.com/Une_vie...hronique04.asp) does look a bit like that!!!

I have a really cool dring-dring bell too, "chat" on this page: http://www.dringdring.ca/31113069-C5...1243103BA.html

My mom gave me streamers but I couldn't figure out how to put them on my bike, and I thought it might be a bit too much...

I was a tomboy for the first 25 years of my life, still am most of the day, so I assume this little girly side of mine.

[Bad JuJu]

Here's maybe how my brother thinks of my biking:
http://www.manhattancruisers.com/Ima...-lil-daisy.jpg

LOL! At least he didn't send you THAT basket!

[jobob]

neat site, Grog!

[KSH]

WOW! That is horrible. Absolutely horrible.

It's kind of upsetting when people who we think know us... obviously don't know us at all. You would hope that he would know you enough (and maybe take a look at you and your bike), and understand why that is something you would NEVER use.

I know it's the thought that counts... but I too hate when people waste money on me... buying me something that I will only take to Goodwill. Why waste money like that?

Oh well, at least you can return it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I know it's the thought that counts... but I too hate when people waste money on me... buying me something that I will only take to Goodwill. Why waste money like that?

Oh well, at least you can return it.

I was thinking about returning it. It's a $20 item, but then I'd have to spend at least $5 to send it back to NashBar, and then I'd have to pay shipping on whatever other item I exchange it for. So that would cost another $5-7.Toys for Tots would wrap it and give it to a girl who might not even have a bike. Salvation Army would just sell it.
I'm thinking I should give it to another TE member with a cruiser bike who might really want it and use it. Don't you think? I would feel better about doing something like that.
Here is the product info on it:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products
It has a part that is attached to your stem, and then the basket itself can clip on and off for when you want to take the basket into the store with (or chase after Toto with it).
If anyone on this thread thinks they can actually use it, I would be willing to send it to them free (within the U.S. only though, it's a BIG honkin' box!)

If no one on this thread wants it first, then I'll wait a day or two and then post it on the TE "For Sale" thread, where I'll give it away there to a TE member.

[li10up]

Lisa, I'm not making any judgments about your brother, I don't even know him, so please don't think I'm judging. I just think people do everything for a reason. It may be subconscious, but there is a reason behind it. When people who know you give gifts that don't "fit" you there may be an unspoken message. Maybe he is jealous of your riding or upset with himself that he gave it up for whatever reason. Maybe this is his subconscious "getting even" with you or trying to minimize your cycling. I'm sure that some are done just because the giver is a little ignorant (I don't mean that in a bad way) about what the receiver really would like...as in the case of the pedometer. Maybe you should encourage him to get back into riding? Anyhow these are just my thoughts on this. You get what you pay for, right? May all your other gifts be just what you'd like. Happy Holidays!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa, I'm not making any judgments about your brother, I don't even know him, so please don't think I'm judging. I just think people do everything for a reason. It may be subconscious, but there is a reason behind it. When people who know you give gifts that don't "fit" you there may be an unspoken message. Maybe he is jealous of your riding or upset with himself that he gave it up for whatever reason. Maybe this is his subconscious "getting even" with you or trying to minimize your cycling. I'm sure that some are done just because the giver is a little ignorant (I don't mean that in a bad way) about what the receiver really would like...as in the case of the pedometer. Maybe you should encourage him to get back into riding? Anyhow these are just my thoughts on this. You get what you pay for, right? May all your other gifts be just what you'd like. Happy Holidays!

Lighten,
I agree with you. I think it's a combination of him not being able to "get" who I am and what I do, and also his need to be in a mental power position, maintaining his faded "roadie" image by promoting my "little sister on her Schwinn" status of 40 years ago. Doesn't really bother me too much but he totally wasted his money, and he often talks of not having enough money anymore. It also put me in the position of perhaps having to explain why I won't be putting it on my bike (if he asks me).
I did encourage him to ride more again when he was here this summer. His still has his old old Myata which he loves. He keeps it in good shape (unlike his body...he's sort of a heart attack waiting to happen- too sad).
He doesn't "get" why I got my lugged steel road bike (you could get a 7 pound less carbon frame! You have to lower your handlebars!)
It's very hard to talk with him because he cuts you off if you are not saying something that agrees with him. After he's said his peace about something, he's really not interested in others' ideas about it. I could go on, but I'll refrain!

[HappyAnika]

Oh YES! I had one of those white plastic baskets with the plastic flowers on my first two bikes. Loved them!

I don't like it when people (my mother) send me things that I can't use/don't like/don't fit and are unreturnable. I hate to see them waste their hard earned money. I also dislike buying presents for people when I don't have a good idea of they want or need, I don't want something I spent money on to end up in the trash. Gift cards, I love them. They may be impersonal, but they aren't a waste of money. I would much rather my sister in-law who lives 2000 miles away and I see once every two years get me a gift card than a hideous ill-fitting sweater or gawdy earrings . . .