Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Pricey Hobby/Sport

I was thinking of getting a bike shed to store my bikes up at the cabin...space is at a premium. My Dad, asked, "Well, can you leave them locked up outside?" I did not want to educate him on what an investment those two bikes were...

I was thinking of getting a bike shed to store my bikes up at the cabin...space is at a premium. My Dad, asked, "Well, can you leave them locked up outside?" I did not want to educate him on what an investment those two bikes were...


Probably because if he is from the same generation my father is, he would beat you senseless for the "waste" of money.

I think it's a good idea though.

It may be tough to educate him but I've come to think of bicycles as tools after fixing up some old ones to find a good ride. I didn't believe the bike snobbery at first, but I found somewhat to my surprise that the dept. store bikes haven't held up as well as better bikes that are even older. Some of this is that people with nicer bikes have probably kept them indoors and maintained them better while the Huffy's were left out in the rain and riden without oiling the chain or other simple maintainance. My point is that a bicycle is a collection of simple tools that need to be cared for if you want to keep them in good working order. Buy a cheap tool and take care of it, it will last you a while. But buy a good tool and take care of it and it will last you a lifetime.

Probably because if he is from the same generation my father is, he would beat you senseless for the "waste" of money.

I think it's a good idea though.

He wouldn't think it was a waste of money, exactly. Well, he would question if I needed as expensive bikes as I have up there. And, to be honest, he's right. The Atlantis is a "life long" bike, and I'm giving it light usage compared to what it could do. The Mondonico was a Craig's List bike, but it was still expensive for being that. But it's a hand made bike and I'm not going to let it rust.

I just explained to him that they were made of steel, and that if they get wet you have to relube everything and the leather seat would get ruined. He got the concept: that I valued the bikes as machines, not toys.

My wife made a comment over the weekend to somebody that put things in perspective for me. Because I control my diabetes by diet and excercise, she said that she would much rather buy bicycle stuff then pay for medication so she doesn't complain.

This has been the cheapest hobby I have ever had. First, I have been only buying used bikes, and flipping quite a few of them. The flips have paid for all the bikes I have kept for my wife and I. Then there is the variety of gear picked up at thrift stores.

Finally, there is the health benefit of losing 30 pounds so far. Priceless!!

My wife made a comment over the weekend to somebody that put things in perspective for me. Because I control my diabetes by diet and excercise, she said that she would much rather buy bicycle stuff then pay for medication so she doesn't complain.+1 My wife used the same logic, when I was trying to talk myself out of a purchase (justify) of an accessory for a project rider.

Just when you think they do not understand, they surprise us.:thumb: