Funny! The truths of being a Bike Geek!!

[Batbike]

You Know You're a Real Bicyclist When....

Admit it: there is a mindset, a group of assumptions, and a whole set of experiences that set a "cyclist" apart from the vast majority of the populace that just rides a bike. There are the serious things, like an understanding of vehicular cycling, and the mundane things, like knowing where the good places to lock a bike are. Here are the amusing things that make us laugh at ourselves, and give those tell-tale hints that maybe, just maybe, you are a Bike Geek!!

1. You think that working on your bike is almost as much fun as riding it

2. At some point you caught yourself wondering if your bike might look good if you added fenders

3. You discover that you have forgotten to remove your reflective ankle straps hours after you have arrived somewhere by bicycle

4. You would recognize that threaded washer from a Presta valve stem anywhere

5. You KNOW what a Presta valve is

6. You make decisions about car purchases based on which one more easily accepts a rooftop bicycle rack

7. You skip that last beer because there is a group ride the next morning

8. You own any kind of purple annodized bicycle accessory

9. Colorado Cyclist sent you a Christmas card last year

10. Your bicycle(s) are worth more than your automobile

11. You know what the difference is between Ultrasensor, Core-Tech, and Microfiber jersey materials

12. "Once you try bibs, baby, you'll never go back!"

13. You can tell your significant other with a straight face that its too hot to mow the lawn then take off and ride a century.

14. Your bike rack and attachments are worth more than your car.

15. You pull up hard on the steering wheel trying to jump your car over a pot-hole

16, The first thing you ask when you regain consciousness is "How's my bike?"

17. You actually move farther from work so your bike commute will be longer.

18. You take a perverse pride in your mid-thigh and mid-bicep tan lines, and even more in that funny little circle on the back of your hand

19. Your learn you have some money left over after paying bills and the first thing you do is reach for the nearest bicycling catalog

20. Most of the tools you own are made by Park or Blackburn

21. Someone in a car asks for directions and you give them a route that bypasses freeways and busy surface streets

[VeloChick]

4. You would recognize that threaded washer from a Presta valve stem anywhere

6. You make decisions about car purchases based on which one more easily accepts a rooftop bicycle rack

Oh my. I resemble these 2!

[Bluetree]

13. You can tell your significant other with a straight face that its too hot to mow the lawn then take off and ride a century.

LOL

[teigyr]

I actually bought the car I own because I can fit my bike IN the car!

And the tan lines...I worked hard for those!

My husband just got a bike two weeks ago and he is new to cycling (two weeks new, as a matter of fact!). Last week we were in the car driving. He slowed down, looked down a street, then proceeded to turn and drive down the street. I asked him what was up and he said "This would be a great street to ride on, I wish we had the bikes!" He is now also very quick to notice bike trails on streets that he has driven on for the past 30 years. It's great!

[mimitabby]

It was really funny last week transporting DH's new bike (too many $$$$ !) and my bike (worth about 1 k) on my car now blue book valued at 800 dollars.

[7rider]

15. You pull up hard on the steering wheel trying to jump your car over a pot-hole

Oh, boy. I've done this one more than I care to admit!
Oops. Did I just admit that???

[East Hill]

You Know You're a Real Bicyclist When... 8. You own any kind of purple annodized bicycle accessory

You know, I just gave away two purple anodised water bottle cages because they CLASHED with my bikes.

Does this mean I'm not a true cyclist ?


East Hill

[DebW]

You Know You're a Real Bicyclist When....

1. You think that working on your bike is almost as much fun as riding it

20. Most of the tools you own are made by Park or Blackburn

I resemble these two. Don't forget the Bicycle Research tools. I've even got a Campy pedal/fixed cup wrench and a 15 mm peanutbutter knife (ie. crank bolt wrench).

[equus123]

i thought it was hysterical one time after a long group ride. i was driving home half dazed when....in driving past a branch on the side of my lane, i (and actually did it) pointed down all assertively as i drove past because it came up kinda quick, surprised me, and that was my immediate reaction.

very sad....but very true. lol

[Geonz]

You know, I just gave away two purple anodised water bottle cages because they CLASHED with my bikes.

Does this mean I'm not a true cyclist ?


East Hill

No, you're at even a higher level, because you have gotten past *having* them... now you're *spreading* them around!!!

[Aint Doody]

How about when I'm out walking or cross country skiing, I try to check my mirror and am surprised when it's not there!

[ausgirl]

Numbers 5, 6, 7, 16 & 18.

After a crash i'm always more concerned about the bike than myself - road rash heals itself, broken bike frames or bent wheels don't heal themselves. This was of particular concern when i was a poor, broke uni student.

[missymaya]

1,3,4,5,6,11,16,18,19,20,& 21
As I sit here typing I can't wait to get home to put new tires on my commuter and then clean both my "babies" 'til their nice and shiny

[wannaduacentury]

LOL

I could try that w/ dh and he'd know I was lying. LOL

[sgtiger]

This thread reminds me of an article I read a couple of weeks ago. It's a follow-up interview with a lottery winner. He spent $65,000 on new bikes but only $14,500 on a car that he picked out because it fit his bike rack well. LOL

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/20/maga...ion=2007022807