When I only had one bike, things were peaceful. I'd go out to the shed and unlock the padlock. I knew the bike was getting excited at the idea of going for a nice ride. At the end of the ride I'd put the bike away and both the bike and I were happy and contented.
Then a second bike was added. The two sat side by side, probably having secret chats during the night. Then I'd unlock the shed, again, and both bikes became excited, each one wondering which of them would be going for a ride. I'd select one and go. I wasn't very happy, though, because I knew the other bike was sitting in that dark shed, and feeling sorry for itself. "Hmm (grumble, grumble). So he prefers that bike to me. Well, I'll teach him a lesson. I'll deflate one of my tires. No, that won't work because he'll just ride the other bike until my tire was fixed."
On arrival back home, I'd put the bike back in the shed and lock the door, leaving both of them in darkness. I could sense the hostility between the two, one of them all smug because it had just been ridden, and the other seething with jealousy.
The next day I'd take the other bike for a ride, and I'd feel sorry for the one left behind in the dark and all alone. But what am I to do? I didn't have this anguish when I only had one bike. And if I sell one of them to restore my peace, I'd feel bad because it would be wondering why I got rid of it. It might hate me forevermore.
How do other people manage when they own two or more bikes? I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't like to hurt a bike's feelings.
