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How to be embarressed about the price of your bike.
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 2005-08-25 10:13 PM |
Veteran 282   Chula Vista, Ca |  Subject: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike.Been feeling pretty good about myself lately. As I was out running hills on Tues., the thought came into my head "I am actually one of those fit fat guys". Well, God has a way of putting me in my place at times and today was it. Went for my bike ride this afternoon and it just sucked. Speed was waaaay down and just felt like crap. You see I am a very new biker. Just bought my bike about 2 weeks ago. I have less than 50 miles on it. Its a Giant TCR 2 and I am pretty proud of it. Red too just like I like it. Back to my day. As I said, sucky ride but I did my little 16 miles, 8 of them in the onshore winds of the Pacific Ocean. Came into the parking lot and a latino guy with his mtn bike was right next to my truck. Being originally from Texas, once you make eye contact with me I must now start a conversation which I do. The guy has a thick accent and is a very nice guy. I tell him that I am glad the ride is over because I am tired. He then asks me how many times I did the route. Sheepishly I say once and explain that I am a newbie. Being the nice guy that he is he trys to console me with the fact that after more time I will get better and stronger. Well, come to find out this guy in his knee length Ocean Pacific baggies, cotten t shirt, Schwinn mtn bike and his Keds does 2 loops on the longer route which is 21 miles per loop daily. On weekends he does 3 loops. He is trying to get ready for the Rosarito to Ensenada bike ride. Its a pretty popular bike ride Baja Mexico. . One really nice climb that I know of. About 45 minutes across the border from San Diego. He then starts to tell me how beautiful my bike is and how much he wants to get one. Now he asks me how much it costs. This is where its gets embarressing. I will not give the number here but most of you know the range I paid. Here I am on my nice semi expensive (to me anyways) bike, riding shorts, clip on shoes, dri fit shirt and nice new helmet that (of course matches the color of the bike) getting consoled by this athlete who doesnt worry about the equipment but just rides. He explained how he could barely make one loop when he first started. After he left and I was on my way home I kept thinking that he is what I want to be. Just a guy who has set himself a tough goal and goes out and does the work to reach it. Doesnt care that his equipment is not has good as others or is dressed in the latest fashion of the sport he has chosen. This guy isn't even aware that he gave inspiration today to someone he does not know |
| 2005-08-25 10:18 PM in reply to: #234242 |
Master 2288 Katy, TX (West of Houston) | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Nice...I think I met his brother on a long ride once. or maybe it was running, or at the pool.... Thanks, I needed that  |
 2005-08-25 10:25 PM in reply to: #234242 |
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| 2005-08-26 12:26 AM in reply to: #234242 |
Champion 6285  Beautiful Sonoma County | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Someday I hope to live up to my bike. Right now, I feel a bit like an imposter riding a European titanium racing bike and barely making 18-20 mph. Nice story. Thanks for sharing. Keep on truckin' and you WILL get better! |
| 2005-08-26 1:56 AM in reply to: #234242 |
Extreme Veteran 584 coastal NC | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Very cool story, thanks for posting it. I ride my MTN bike, too--though not as cheerfully or as long as the guy you met. Have to work on both things. I did that race (Rosarita/Ensenada) twice while I lived in LA for college umpteen years ago--it's a ball! And unless I'm making this up in a glory-days sort of way, I feel like they had margaritas for us when we finished. |
| 2005-08-26 3:25 AM in reply to: #234242 |
| Member 47 | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Thank you! I just bought a $25 garage sale special and was feeling sheepish about showing up with it... but yes, God wakes you up once in a while, and I realize that my bike fits my biking: a little dusty, could be better, but is just right for where I'm at. <><, KF |
| 2005-08-26 3:34 AM in reply to: #234242 |
| Master 1462 Michigan | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Good story, cause in the end it really doesn't matter which brand of bike, helmet, clothing, car, or crib we have. |
| 2005-08-26 7:53 AM in reply to: #234242 |
| Master 1210 Saskatchewan | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Our bikes are only as good as their engines...good reminder when I start to pine for a new bike. |
| 2005-08-26 8:34 AM in reply to: #234242 |
| Regular 59 Mississippi | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Great story! Just getting back into biking,(heck, just getting back into fitness),I haven't put out the cash yet for a shiney new set of wheels. So I'm riding my old Schwinn Sprint 10-speed that I used to ride back in the 80's. It still goes, and at this point, is more than I need. You've just saved me a bundle by convincing me that I don't need a new one.....yet! But there's a smokin' new Trek just over the next hill... B. |
| 2005-08-26 8:39 AM in reply to: #234242 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Hey...we have the same bike! Besides feeling bad about this guy, don't you love it? |
| 2005-08-26 8:52 AM in reply to: #234446 |
| Regular 59 Mississippi | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. TriComet - 2005-08-25 8:39 PM Hey...we have the same bike! Besides feeling bad about this guy, don't you love it? Realy?! I thought I was the last person on earth to have a Sprint. I'm keeping it forever tho, 'cause it brings back some great memories..first metric century, first and only Houston to Galveston ride. The event was later cancelled. Ever ride on an interstate with 3000 of your closest friends? What a trip. , etc. As far as feeling sorry for the guy; I dunno. He seems to "get it" more than a lot of us. I'm a gadget guy, HRM, beanie with propeller, etc. Sometimes I have to rein myself in and realize that it's about the effort, not who has the most bling. B. Edited by Barry001 2005-08-26 8:55 AM |
| 2005-08-26 9:16 AM in reply to: #234464 |
| Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Barry001 - 2005-08-26 9:52 AM TriComet - 2005-08-25 8:39 PM Realy?! I thought I was the last person on earth to have a Sprint. I'm keeping it forever tho, 'cause it brings back some great memories..first metric century, first and only Houston to Galveston ride. The event was later cancelled. Ever ride on an interstate with 3000 of your closest friends? What a trip. , etc. As far as feeling sorry for the guy; I dunno. He seems to "get it" more than a lot of us. I'm a gadget guy, HRM, beanie with propeller, etc. Sometimes I have to rein myself in and realize that it's about the effort, not who has the most bling. B.Hey...we have the same bike! Besides feeling bad about this guy, don't you love it? Barry! I'm sorry...I meant, I have the same bike as the original poster. I am like you though, all the gadets, and every time I want something new or better, I have to say to myself...get out and train and earn it. Houston to Galveston ride?!?! When was this? I assume it was mostly on the feeder roads with some interstate riding? |
| 2005-08-26 10:27 AM in reply to: #234242 |
| Pro 4292 Evanston, | Subject: RE: How to be embarressed about the price of your bike. Thanks so much for sharing this story! It does help to keep things in perspective. I bought a hybrid at my LBS at the beginning of this year so that I could see if I liked this sport without spending a WHOLE lot of money. Just told myself that I didn't want to be the one showing up at a race on a $1500 bike with a 50-cent engine! This story will help me in my resolve to work on just the engine for another season. It also helps to live in a neighborhood where ordinary people can ocasionally be seen pedaling around on a variety of banana-seat cruisers, old MTB's, etc. Compared to a nice road bike or tri bike, my hybrid is inexpensive and heavy. But it was has also been admired and complimented by folks like the the bike messengers I met on a community ride, or the guy at the antique shop up the block, who said he would "fly" if he had a "chariot" like mine. A little perspective is a good thing. |
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