Non dorky cycling gifts from enlightened people

[Xrayted]

...this is the best Christmas I've had in a very long time.

... and love. I feel totally loved this year by family and friends and adopted family and friends who I consider family.
Have a very Merry Christmas, everyone!

Well, now that's the best Christmas present I've received in a long time. And what I most wished for.

Love ya sis!

[KSH]

A few weeks ago, I was talking with my parents about my obsession with triathlon, and explained to them the difference between road bikes and TT/tri bikes. My stepdad eventually handed me a blank piece of paper and told me to write down exactly what I was looking for in a tri bike... size, frame, components, everything. He said it would be my Christmas present, sky's the limit.

I handed the paper back to him, blank, explaining that if I wanted a tri bike like that, I'd have to earn myself... through sweat, training, racing, exhaustion, whatever it took. My road bike will do for now. I'm so grateful that my folks are supportive, but triathlon is just something I have to do (and buy) for myself, even if I can't afford the best bike out there.

So... under the tree yesterday morning I find a little box with my name on it, and inside are five crisp new $100 bills and a note saying: "You won't let us buy you a bike, so here's your new Kangaroo wet suit. Love, mom and dad."

My folks rock, even if they confused "Kangaroo" with "Quintana Roo".

WOW! You are so much stronger than I am. I would taken that tri bike in a heart beat... then again, I'm kind of broke and will have to go into debt to buy a new bike over $500!

That is so awesome they gave you money for a new wetsuit though! Really cool! HA! On the Kangaroo comment.

But you know what, it's not the money... it's the fact that they LISTENED to you when you talked and remembered what you are interested in.

[KSH]

I got a Girl Friend

I'd been asking for one each year for a long time, then I finaly found her right here in the Triathlon section of TE.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Hakama*, Knott

*never sure which spelling is right

That is so sweet and cool!

So... it's "Knotted"... right? And yes, I'm nosy as all get out.

[KSH]

OK BEST GIFT EVER! My best buddy broke down all 3 of my bikes, cleaned all the components, pu on new chains and shined the bikes up making them look better than brand new.

They all looked so pretty it made me cry!!!! I love my buddy!

That is a seriously awesome gift.

I wish I had someone in my life who could do that for me!

[Maureen Valley]

Mimitabby...aren't you the sweetest thing. If 19 is a child bride...well...that would be me. My husband, aka Saint Jerry, was a mere 23.....we have one son who is 41 and who lives in San Mateo and hang glides. No grandchildren, never will be. This is a tad off topic...so I apologize to the group.

Best to all:
Maureen

[Duck on Wheels]

I got a Girl Friend

I'd been asking for one each year for a long time, then I finaly found her right here in the Triathlon section of TE.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Hakama*, Knott

*never sure which spelling is right

You gals got the bestest gift ever , or at least Knot did. I don't know Knot well enough to know whether Trek did better at giving or receiving, but I guess I can trust her taste. 'Specially after seeing a couple of pictures this morning

As for "Happy Hakama" ... nope, not one of Trek's efforts at creative spelling (that would be the finally with one l), but a chip off our Dad's punning shoulder. I think Trek was pretty happy in her Hakama this Channuka, right Trek?

[Trek420]

Do you mean
Chanuka
Channukah
Hanukah
Hannukkah??

oh heck, Happy Chaka Khan TE

As DoW explains happy hakama is a pun and not my normal poor speelling

A hakama is traditional Japanese garment that in my case is worn over a gi when I do Aikido. Here's my teacher wearing one. Oooh, sorry, that's a little big. Oh well, it's my favorite pic of her.

Bcipam. we have a winner!!! You win the prize, you sure you're just friends??? Maybe he's trying to tell you something.

[tprevost]

A few weeks ago, I was talking with my parents about my obsession with triathlon, and explained to them the difference between road bikes and TT/tri bikes. My stepdad eventually handed me a blank piece of paper and told me to write down exactly what I was looking for in a tri bike... size, frame, components, everything. He said it would be my Christmas present, sky's the limit.

I handed the paper back to him, blank, explaining that if I wanted a tri bike like that, I'd have to earn myself... through sweat, training, racing, exhaustion, whatever it took. My road bike will do for now. I'm so grateful that my folks are supportive, but triathlon is just something I have to do (and buy) for myself, even if I can't afford the best bike out there.

So... under the tree yesterday morning I find a little box with my name on it, and inside are five crisp new $100 bills and a note saying: "You won't let us buy you a bike, so here's your new Kangaroo wet suit. Love, mom and dad."

My folks rock, even if they confused "Kangaroo" with "Quintana Roo".

... what a great post! You brought tears to my eyes ... enjoy your new "kangaroo" wet suit and be sure to post lots of pictures of your events! The last one was very adorable

trac'

[Tuckervill]

Direct quote from my DH this morning:

"It's the coolest thing to walk into Sears and get all my wife's gifts, and never have to leave the tool department."

He spent all yesterday morning in the shop "assembling" something for me. Turns out it was a work bench with pegboard, to go with the bike stand, complete bike tool set, and the Craftsman screwdrivers and wrenches to go with it!

He gets it.

[margo49]

Wow!, Tuck-tuck-tuckie
That is so nice.
Also shows he is thinking about *you* and not "the wife" and buying a sterotypical/generic present.

[Triskeliongirl]

Well my major gift was a new travel bike: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=12234&page=2

but Santa left me the grease gun and computer I'd been wanting for her.

Santa left DH an 06 atmos helmet (good sale!). The biggest surprise was the cool pod it came in. Santa also left DH a couple nice cycling jerseys and a HRM.

Of course the best gift of all was having my family together. I hadn't seen our daughter since she left for college in new england in august. She almost didn't make it home, air traffic/weather problems in chicago, but we managed to get her rerouted to Dallas and made the 9 hour drive to get her home.

[Bluetree]

Tuck, BCIPam - How wonderful you have such thoughtful people in your lives!

KSH - I don't think it's a matter of being strong, I see it as avoiding becoming something I despise. I grew up as the only poor kid in a VERY affluent area, so I always hated entitlement - people getting things they didn't earn for themselves. Plus, I'd feel foolish riding a $4000 bike in a community sprint tri!

Kit - Anytime you want to ride the SoCal beaches, my couch is yours (as long as you don't mind me tromping out of there 4am!)

Merry Everything and Happy Forever, everyone!

[Hammer]

My boyfriend is cool... He got me a Saris Bones bike rack for the trunk of my car. I hope that it works well!! He's good to me. Buys stuff, but researchs it first. I'd hoped that he would get me that. He said I couldn't buy one myself a couple months ago, so I thought I probably would get it. But didn't want to get my hopes up too much. There could've been other items taht he'd have found.

I'm hoping for a gift card to a sports store or two yet... Christmas isn't over. There are gifts that I'm still anxious to hand out.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

[Bikingmomof3]

Isn't that all anyone ever needs to bring a smile to their face? "All you need is Love..." I'm so happy everything worked out for you ladies... So happy. So that's a little present for me, too.

... and love. I feel totally loved this year by family and friends and adopted family and friends who I consider family.
Have a very Merry Christmas, everyone!

Well, now that's the best Christmas present I've received in a long time. And what I most wished for.

Love ya sis!

This has been a wonderful Christmas for me. Not for things, but for my friends and adopted relatives. Trek and Knot are happy, which makes me so very happy. I met two wonderful ladies, my adopted sisters, and they are both very happy and have brought so much joy to my life, without even knowing it. Last night I received a phone call from my third adopted sister, who is safely home in Cold Bay and she is happy.

Love, friendship, and happiness...these "things" have made this a wonderful holiday for me. One of my best Christmases ever and one I shall never forget. *HUGS*

May all of you expierence peace, love, joy, and friendship this holiday season.

[HillSlugger]

I received wonderful biking gifts:
PI Vector Jersey (constructed like AmFib tights)
PI bike shorts
SheBeest Blue Leopard jersey
Endura Siren rain jacket

I'm pretty well set for almost anything now!