What does your significant other think of your cycling hobby?

[roubaixtuesday]

I have a nice bike and a crappy car!

All is well with the world.

 

[vickster]

Any tips for saving money and not bankrupting myself to have a nice budget for bike stuff..?

Earning far more than I spend is a great enabler
Hopefully it means I can stop working earlier than 65! And work less in the intervening years

 

[fossyant]

I have a nice bike and a crappy car!

 

[oldworld]

I'm lucky that Mrs oldworld cycles and enjoys it as much as me.
I've always thought long and hard before spending out on anything. My Dad used to say 'use your eyes and let your money be the last thing you part with'.
I've never been a big earner but we determined to pay off the mortgage asap. Doing this made a huge difference to our financial situation and allowed us to retire early.
It's all too easy to buy something on a whim, it takes willpower to walk away.
We live well and and buy what we need.

 

[BrumJim]

My wife appreciates the firm bum, strong legs, and good life expectancy that goes with lots of cycling. She also appreciates that it means that I go out cycling with my little boy, which gets him away from screens, gives him some good exercise, and gives her a break from him.

In answer to your bigger question, there are two points, really:
1) Does your future wife / partner merely tolerate your riding, with the long-term aim of reducing it, or does she appreciate why you do it, and support you in this?
2) What would it take for you to give up riding?

On point 1), I split up with my girlfriend of the time because what she saw in me, and what she found most annoying about me were what I didn't really get and what was critical to my sanity respectively. It was her call, but agreed with the conclusion given the above. There was no point continuing a relationship on such flimsy foundations. However my wife fully supports my cycling, mainly because she understands what it gives me, and supports it as a concept. If you really love your cycling, then she should appreciate that as part of who you are.

On point 2), both of you should be prepared to give up anything for the other. And I mean anything. Not because the other doesn't like it, or wants to change you, but because you need to. So if your wife's circumstances change, and she needs you to be there, either due to physical or mental issues, then you should be prepared to give it up. It will hurt, but she is more important. Or if she just needs more support (e.g. family, emotional struggles, or just so she can feel loved and wanted etc), then you must be prepared to reduce your cycling commitments to balance time with her and time on the bike.

 

[vickster]

Thanks for explaining I spend a lot of alone time, not out of choice but because of covid and not being home most of the time, but I get a bit sad and lonely after a while when I have no one to talkto or share my ideas with. I also prefer cycling with someone, rather than by myself. But you enjoy your quiet time, a bit envious that you're all fine being by yourself.

Covid has only been going on for 6 months or so...what were you doing before?
I'm thinking you're one of those folks not too great at occupying yourself. I do get bored sat at home, but then I just find something else to do on my own or with others

 

[raleighnut]

Nah I was a Cyclist before I met Maz, only had 2 bikes back then though.

 

[oreo_muncher]

My wife appreciates the firm bum, strong legs, and good life expectancy that goes with lots of cycling. She also appreciates that it means that I go out cycling with my little boy, which gets him away from screens, gives him some good exercise, and gives her a break from him.

In answer to your bigger question, there are two points, really:
1) Does your future wife / partner merely tolerate your riding, with the long-term aim of reducing it, or does she appreciate why you do it, and support you in this?
2) What would it take for you to give up riding?

On point 1), I split up with my girlfriend of the time because what she saw in me, and what she found most annoying about me were what I didn't really get and what was critical to my sanity respectively. It was her call, but agreed with the conclusion given the above. There was no point continuing a relationship on such flimsy foundations. However my wife fully supports my cycling, mainly because she understands what it gives me, and supports it as a concept. If you really love your cycling, then she should appreciate that as part of who you are.

On point 2), both of you should be prepared to give up anything for the other. And I mean anything. Not because the other doesn't like it, or wants to change you, but because you need to. So if your wife's circumstances change, and she needs you to be there, either due to physical or mental issues, then you should be prepared to give it up. It will hurt, but she is more important. Or if she just needs more support (e.g. family, emotional struggles, or just so she can feel loved and wanted etc), then you must be prepared to reduce your cycling commitments to balance time with her and time on the bike.

A very wise answer 👍Good perspective.

 

[oreo_muncher]

Covid has only been going on for 6 months or so...what were you doing before?
I'm thinking you're one of those folks not too great at occupying yourself. I do get bored sat at home, but then I just find something else to do on my own or with others

I was at uni, going to lectures and labs during the weekday and socialising with my mates and random people. Then I would go see a friend on the weekend or do uni work or I'll go home. So I was always around people, surrounded by good banter.now everything is online.

 

[oreo_muncher]

Look after your bike. Saves the scary bills. I got 3 of my current bikes whilst still living at home waaay before 'girls' - I still have the bikes 30 years later. My best bike was money no object - top spec everything, handbuilt frame/wheels, then all Dura Ace kit. I still have the bike and it's a delight to ride.

I've also mid spec road bike (old), an old MTB and a newer MTB that I bought more recently. That costs a bit to keep going in wear and tear parts. I tend to keep my bikes but look after them, so if it's worn, the part is replaced/repaired. It's all the other kit though like clothes/shoes etc. Road bikes are far easier/less time consuming than looking after a full suspension MTB - neglect that and you could have a £300 rear shock bill, or £500 plus for a new fork.

Oh and if you end up filthy, do rinse the mud off your kit before it goes in the washing machine and destroys that too.

Ashamed to say I'm doing a poor job in maintaining my bike. It needs a wash, degreasing and re-lubing and I've putting that off. My bike has been making a tick tock noise ever since it got serviced, it started with a rattling noise which turned to a tick tick noise and the bike shop told me it's all fine?

 

[vickster]

I was at uni, going to lectures and labs during the weekday and socialising with my mates and random people. Then I would go see a friend on the weekend or do uni work or I'll go home. So I was always around people, surrounded by good banter.now everything is online.

You can still see people in person if you stick to the rules (assuming you're not in a high risk area)

 

[vickster]

Ashamed to say I'm doing a poor job in maintaining my bike. It needs a wash, degreasing and re-lubing and I've putting that off. My bike has been making a tick tock noise ever since it got serviced, it started with a rattling noise which turned to a tick tick noise and the bike shop told me it's all fine?

Take it to another shop if you can't figure it out yourself

 

[oreo_muncher]

It's hard.My daughter is a 19yo Student and even with our help she will start her working life with a huge debt.You have to learn to live within your means as much as possible.Harder now than 30 years ago I think.I work with young lads who are in their 20s who are driving about in £40/50K cars that they're "leasing" for £500+ per month..it's crazy!It's all for show but it seems it's the done thing now.Owning a brand new Range Rover or Merc when I was 22 was living in dreamland
My advice is to buy the cycling stuff you can afford and not worry to much whether your bike is worth £500 or £5000!

I have little willpower in resisting bargain purchases especially for expensive branded cycling clothes, especially castelli and rapha..I would want a new trek domane sl6 bike but think I'll end up really broke if I allowed that purchase to happen! A bit hard when I keep seeing it on display in the bike shop I have no interest in cars, and I have no intention of getting a driving licence.

 

[vickster]

I have little willpower in resisting bargain purchases especially for expensive branded cycling clothes, especially castelli and rapha..I would want a new trek domane sl6 bike but think I'll end up really broke if I allowed that purchase to happen! A bit hard when I keep seeing it on display in the bike shop I have no interest in cars, and I have no intention of getting a driving licence.

Get a job

 

[oreo_muncher]

You can still see people in person if you stick to the rules (assuming you're not in a high risk area)

I'm down at home now. Notts has become covid central so not going back for 2 weeks at least..