Foo - Is this wrong?

My parents are forcing me to keep my bikes outside.

Somewhat exposed to the elements.

Funny part is, we have plenty of room in the basement, only my step dad will throw a ***** fit if he sees them in the basement, he thinks they are a waste of space, and mountain biking is waste of money. My mom sees no problem with it though :rolleyes: Man do I sound like a spoiled brat or what?

He thinks I should be playing football or something. But something about tight spandex pants, pads and helmets scream dominatrix to me. (No offense to football guys or gals)

Too bad your step dad is so narrow minded.

Ask your dad if he thinks <insert his favorite football player's name here> can ride a bike 2000 miles in 3 weeks?

Tell your step dad to eat a dick.

I saw your bikes metalhead. Those don't belong outside. I keep my mountain bike on the carpet in the hallway.

Tell your step dad to kiss your ass.

Also explain to him the kinds of things the elements do to metal. Then explain to him that the majority of the bike IS metal.

Maybe you can remind him...as these bikes ARE so expensive, its pretty silly to put them out where they will be damaged by the elements. You should be protecting those expensive babies from the elements.

I remember when I got into it, and started keeping my bike inside in the TV room as opposed to the garage. My parents had a fit, they were totally bewildered. They grew to understand with time :)

Is there some accommodation you can make to satisfy him, like a plastic sheet to protect the floor, maybe an indoor stand to keep them from leaning on walls, things like that?

I don't know your dad, i don't know your bikes but I know people. If he doesn't know the worth of your bikes than maybe you can take him to a bike shop sometime so he can see that they are not toys. If he sees that there a lot of dollars attached than he might understand better.

I don't know your dad, i don't know your bikes but I know people. If he doesn't know the worth of your bikes than maybe you can take him to a bike shop sometime so he can see that they are not toys. If he sees that there a lot of dollars attached than he might understand better.
He has a p.1 and a giant DH comp.

Easily over 3-4 grand worth in bikes.

Maybe you two should sit down and watch "Breaking Away" together. If he's still being a tool, cock punch him and take his wallet.

Too bad your step dad is so narrow minded.

Ask your dad if he thinks <insert his favorite football player's name here> can ride a bike 2000 miles in 3 weeks?

Yeah, that argument will strike the brick wall that is a typical football fan's head. Generally I've found guys like that think anything with a ball is a valid sport (golf included!), anything without a ball is not. The only caveat is if there is the likelihood of injury or violence. Then it can be a sport.

Narrow minded being the operative phrase here.

Yeah, that argument will strike the brick wall that is a typical football fan's head. Generally I've found guys like that think anything with a ball is a valid sport (golf included!), anything without a ball is not. The only caveat is if there is the likelihood of injury or violence. Then it can be a sport.

Narrow minded being the operative phrase here.
+1^norris

My Giant is a little bit too nice (And expensive, the fork alone is 2 grand *came with bike*) to be kept outside. Same with the P.1.

He thinks that I'm just going to grow out of it as soon as I get my license next month. I just tell him I'll have more places to ride because I can get to them. And I am going to move my bikes into the basement regardless of what he says, what can he do? Throw them out? As you said, these aren't toys to be neglected, and now since they've been outside for so long, I need to shell out a good amount of money getting them all tuned and maintained.

And he knows these bikes aren't cheap, but here is how he looks at it.
The huge windstorm we had here in Washington recently, I asked if I could take the bikes inside.

Conversation is verbatim. Word for word.

Me: Can I bring my bikes inside?
Him: No.
Me: These things are worth alot, I dont want them to get damaged
Him: I'm worrying more about the boat, sentimental value next to the huge value of the boat is a little extreme I'd say.
Me: Your an ass. The boat should die.

Ok, I didnt say the last part. But I can kinda see where he is coming from. But then again, the bikes take up very little room.

And I won't worry about getting the basement dirty. Concrete floors, and I recently washed my bikes. So, it won't be a problem.

Yeah, that argument will strike the brick wall that is a typical football fan's head. Generally I've found guys like that think anything with a ball is a valid sport (golf included!), anything without a ball is not. The only caveat is if there is the likelihood of injury or violence. Then it can be a sport.

Narrow minded being the operative phrase here.

But Rugby is a sport :(

Is there some accommodation you can make to satisfy him, like a plastic sheet to protect the floor, maybe an indoor stand to keep them from leaning on walls, things like that?
I think this is the best option.

Buy a cheap $10 plastic tarp, and buy or make a simple bike stand (you can make one out of a few 2x4's)..

I can weld one together I think. Thats my next project.

Just make sure you keep them covered from the elements, and locked up real well if they must be kept outside. Weather will destroy your bikes, my former neighbor let the snow and rain destroy a vintage Cannondale.

He's becoming an I-tey. ciao mama ciao mama, that's I-tey talk.

Do you have a garage? Can you put a couple of hooks in your wall for bikes to hang on?

We are building a garage pretty soon, so I'll move them there when I can.

I wish I had a tarp to cover it, but, again step dad would sh*t himself, he would say "We need that for other things"

It's about as wrong as a set time to go to bed

Where's your mom at?

The real value of the bicycles isn't the bicycles themselves, though
You should be respected
OTOH, if you think your stuff is more valuable than someone elses stuff
It may be a lesson
How would you take care of your step-dads football helmets and pads and tight spandex-like uniforms if he had them?

"I'm worrying more about the boat, sentimental value next to the huge value of the boat is a little extreme I'd say.
Me: Your an ass. The boat should die.

Ok, I didnt say the last part. But I can kinda see where he is coming from."

WTF? You two are brothers.

something about tight spandex pants, pads and helmets scream dominatrix to me.

Anyone else skim this and think he was talking about roadies? :p

Could you keep them in your room? Any way you could hang them from the ceiling/on the walls?

Your bikes should not be outside.


Try laying out some newspaper near the furnace (for warmth) and maybe a cardboard box with a towel inside. Leave a little water in a dish and tether your bike to a chair. This is proper.

For the record guys, he doesn't play football.
He just thinks that football is a better sport. I think he is wrong.
Again with the dominatrix.
Yes I was talking about roadies (Man, somebody actually caught on haha)


For some reason anything in my room will rust, I need a dehumidifier or something.

"I'm worrying more about the boat, sentimental value next to the huge value of the boat is a little extreme I'd say.
Me: Your an ass. The boat should die.

Ok, I didnt say the last part. But I can kinda see where he is coming from."

WTF? You two are brothers.

huh? Call me a little slow, I dont get what your trying to say.

Yes it is a mystery.

I suspect your step dad has other issues with you and he is using the bike thing as a lever to get to you. Your private space is your room. Keep your bikes in your room and get a dehumidifier. Not only will your bikes be healthier but you will be too.

huh? Call me a little slow, I dont get what your trying to say.


He is saying that you both cherish your beloved items. I say lock it to the boat and leave it that way.

Gee, the way I see things is... Having a basement and not having anything in there is a waste of space. Storing your bikes in there is UTILIZING the space, storing them out side is WASTING it.

Logic, pure and simple. How can he argue that, unless he's illogical? In that case your phucked!

This sounds like a long term problem with your step dad - somethin important to you is a worthless interference in his space. Solution? HE has to assign the bikes value.

My husband periodically throws the kids' bikes out from whatever room/building they have crept into to occupy. The shed, one room in the garage, the bedroom... but they always get exiled to an alternative sheltered spot (see where do your bikes live thread). I have already fought the battle of bike expense, and pretty much won. My husband has met my kids' MTB buddies, and would rather have them hang with a bunch of them (sucessful, educated) than confine themselves to local HS sports. The bike itself? metal. The experience? Priceless. We live in an extremely rural area.

But anyway, if your Mom is on your side, as HER to plan a suprise family bike day - find a nice easy trail, pack a picnic lunch, rent/borrow the necessary bikes... Help her plan out a great day for ol' step dad. Maybe you'll pick up a new riding buddy... or maybe he'll just understand that a bike can be as valuable as a boat in terms of quality family time. Maybe talk Mom into getting her new hubby a bike for x-mas... nothing like ownersahip to increase intrinsic value! Good Luck & Happy Storage!

You need to have your mom go to bat for you.

[edit - the should shoulda been need]

Your step dad is being a complete idiot. He needs to respect your property and interests as much as his own.

Stick some of his $hit out on the front lawn... see how he likes it.

You should need to have your mom go to bat for you.
I dunno. She might get a warp for assault w/ a deadly weapon. I stand by my suggestion of a good, solid cock punch.

Like others have said, it's not about your bikes or hobby, nor is it about his space. Honestly, there are a number of reasons he could be doing this. My guess is that he's angry at your mom over something stupid, and is too much of a wuss to deal with her, so he's taking it out on you.

See if you can find some middle ground, such as a two-bike stand in your room, or ask if he'd like to help you build a shed to keep them in. Some of the best bonding times I've had with my dad (who is, in fact, one of my best friends) was when we were re-shingling our roof, tearing down and replacing our deck, and building the shed for our lawn equipment together.

If they're protected from rain and snow, they should be just fine as long as you keep the drive train clean and lubed. I know plenty of people who have to keep their bikes outside, and they use bike covers. As long as you don't neglect them, they should be okay in a shed.

Narrow minded being the operative phrase here.

Tell him my old signature line, " A mind is like a prachute, it only works when it is open." But I am sure this would only make things worse.

I am not a psychiatrist, but it seems your step Dad has some resentment toward you. Something close to what apclassic9 suggested may work best to bridge this problem.

I experienced similar narrow mindedness when I was in High School. I raced motorcycles and my Dad, plus the High School coaches, did not think is was a sport. The Wide World of Sports finally stated that racing Moto-Cross was the second most physically demanding sport in the world. One coach apoligized for not beleiving me. The Wide World of Sports was the holy grail of sports shows back then.

Me and him get along fine. We just have some rough edges that would take more then a bench grinder to smooth down.

I wish we could all go on a bike ride, but my downhill sled is heavy, and a burden to pedal. And my P.1 is a single speed.

And its like cheating on my bikes to ride a rental :O

Anyways, I may just move them into my room. Problem is my room has very limited space, and its in the back of the house, it'd be kinda hard to get them in and out. But its worth it.

I shall start welding a bike stand when I get back to my auto body class.

as long as your doing something healthy why should they have a problem with it? bikes are alot of money...they shouldnt just be kept outside...would he keep his golf clubs outside if he played golf?

Hang them from the ceiling?

And, it's not cheating on your bike to spend some time sharing with your family.

I was joking around, just so you know. Step dad would never go for it, neither would my mom.

I'm just going to build a bike stand and keep them in my room, and throw out this old dresser I have. I never use it anyways.

Other have hit upon it -what I was trying to say

You want his boat to die
you don't care about the boat as much as you do your bikes
he doesn't care as much about your bikes as he does his boat ..so your bikes can die out in the weather

You two seem to have the same problem. You're both the same when it comes to this ..as I see it. If he is an idiot ..so then are you. If he's a wuss for taking something out on you ..you are just as much of one for not talking to him about it. The only reason you're the one complaining over the internet is because he has more pull in the household so he automatically gets his way
I wonder what would happen if the roles were reversed
What if you had an entire fleet of expensive bikes and he only had a canoe to store


Perhaps you both need to learn how to respect one another? It's not the monetary value of the things you possess that makes them valuable, is it? Shouldn't be. It's not about -things.
The things one person holds dear
for whatever reason
should be respected by others knowing how important they are to that person

What is a diamond? Something that has been -for the most part- dug out of the earth just like any ordinary rock. Doesn't mean that a diamond should be kept in the driveway, though. Why? Diamonds are respected for their unique qualities. That rock means something to someone
You don't put it in the driveway
not because of how much money you could get for it
but because you know how important it is/what it stands for/what it means ..to someone.
Anything can have value. Sentimental value is more important if you ask me.

Talk with your step-father. Communication is more powerful than any bench grinder. Tell him you want and deserve his respect ..and that means respecting the things which you care for.
Respect his things as well. Maybe if you take some interest in the boat he will feel as though you're trying to be fair

I was asking how you would take care of his prized stuff ..be they football items or whatever
Next thing I see you half-jokingly say is that his stuff should die
pretty funny.


Stop putting people down for doing what they find interesting and are skilled at
-football players, "jocks" in general ..
You don't know anything about these people if all you can think of is a dominatrix when looking at them
Cracking jokes endlessly usually ends up making you a joke.
It doesn't matter what the "sport" is
or what the job or title another holds
It's about respect.
As for motocross/cycling etc being/not being a sport
Doesn't matter. Respect people for their talents.


"motocross is second most physically demanding sport"
Who came up with that placement and what does it matter? Lifting heavy weights is the most demanding thing you can do physically
Doesn't mean I think of weightlifting as a sport. I think lifting weight is training for a sport. Just lots of people that aren't any good at athletics yet can lift a bus see weightlifting as there niche
Another thread, I guess.

I helped set up the giant canvas helping shelter the boat from the elements, as a matter of fact I helped put up two of them, because the other one got messed up.

I value that boat very much too, I help him wash it and maintain the damn thing, that boat is one of coolest things I have ever seen, and I cherish it very much too. Saying that it should die was a harmless joke (Yes, I crack jokes alot, Its one thing I need to work on) if I said it should die to him he would shoot a witty comeback at me, and we'd laugh about it. Me and my step dad don't hate each other, and we both give each other the respect we deserve. But of course like most people we dont see things eye to eye.

And I did as some people told and I talked to him about it, and he said that he will let me keep them in the basement, I just need to make wall hangers for them. So, I guess in the end he is decently reasonable, it just takes awhile


He's not a football player either, he's a swimmer by the way

And me cracking jokes alot is to make people laugh, and yes by me ending up a joke only fuels the fire on which I thrive.

Sorry football players, I am just biased to rugby.

Please don't put your bikes outside. Can't you pitch a tent and let your step father sleep outside instead. Then you could gently lay your bikes under the covers in his bed.

Thanks for making my day dude, that made me laugh pretty hard.

Swimmer, huh?

Tell him to leave his finest swim gear outside.

Correction. Was a swimmer, he's gotten a little too old for it, not saying he's ancient, those were his highschool and college days, he's more into fishing and four wheeling now.

Correction. Was a swimmer, he's gotten a little too old for it, not saying he's ancient, those were his highschool and college days, he's more into fishing and four wheeling now.

Take his 4 wheeler out of the garage or shed or whatever and leave it outside when it rains/snows.

If he has one of those aluminum or magnesium fishing reels, do the same.

We have finally reached an agreement, so no need to exact mean and cruel revenge.

We have finally reached an agreement, so no need to exact mean and cruel revenge.

Yeah.

Or, you know, there's always the cock punch.