Digital Gee

As some of you know, I've been drooling over new bikes, and even fell in love (lust?) with one. But, as they say, timing is everything, right?

My daughter's school sent home a permission slip and note. Her honors theatre class has a long tradition of performing every year at Disneyland, a simple bus-ride up the freeway. This year, however, they've been invited (one of two middle schools in Southern California) to come all the way to Disney WORLD, on the opposite coast. The class will do some fund raisers, but to get everyone there and back, they need $35,000. So a few bake sales ain't going to cut it.

Hence the persmission slip and note. I now have a new, unexpected "obligation" which I am willing to make, because I want my daughter to have this once in a lifetime trip (let's not mention the fact that her 8th grade class is ALSO going on a once-in-a-lifetime field trip to NYC, Washington DC and Virginia later in the spring).

The kid comes first, and I won't complain.

But that puts the bike off the table, at least for now.

That said, and I SWEAR I'm not making this up, when I went for a ride today, my sweet little Trek 3900 didn't creak anymore (again). Not one squeek. She must have seen the note. She's happy again.

There will always be better bikes available. And when the time is right, I'll get me one.

GrannyGear

Spoken like a true dad!! Sometimes, there's something so noble sounding about the word "Dad" it gets a lump in my throat......and I've been parenting for 20 years. She'll have a wonderfully life-memorable time and vicariously so will you. Not to worry, Gary, a bike you would have gotten this year will be boring and scatched up when your finances come around again. In the meantime, you'll have a chance to perfect cycling skills, figure out more clearly what you really want, etcetc.

Personally, planning and looking forward to a new bike has been at least as much fun for me as actually, finally throwing the leg over it. We can all temporarily stand down from the tension of DG's Bike Choice. Phew.

**Make sure your daughter takes a camera! Maybe some pics of any interesting Food she sees (pie especially-- but we like it all!)

Artkansas 

I believe you. I've got an old American Eagle/Nishiki that should be named "Christine" like the car in the Steven King book. It's lasted through many cars and bikes. It seems to know what's happening. ;o)

roccobike

Gary, Think of the great hug you'll get when she returns and the $$$ doesn't matter.
I can identify with your situation. I just shelled out $$$ for my son's trip with the high school chorus to NYC. Just think of the rush we have when we see them perform. As the ad says 'priceless'.

Old Hammer Boy

Like my dear old Mother used to say: "Anything worth having is worth waiting for!!!" You're doing the right thing.

webist

All kids should be so fortunate. Thanks for a great post.

pastorbobnlnh 

Gary,
Dads will sacrifice just about anything for our daughters. It's sort of a condition we just can't explain. I spent 4 hours in the ER with my 13 year old daughter yesterday. She tripped while we were caroling at the local assisted living facility. I thought she'd broken her ankle a 3rd time since she was five. Fortunately it was just a sprain (I was worried she'd need surgery this time). With great relief I came home for a ride (20 miles on the stationary trainer in the attic because of snow outside) and felt great joy for all that had been given me. Bless you for being such a great dad!

Bob

DnvrFox

Forget the kid.

Buy your bike.

She can go to Disney World on her own dime when she is a worthwhile contributor to society!

Get your priorities in order. YOU are the most important thing in your life. You are getting old, and have little time left to enjoy yourself. She has many years longer to go than you do.

Bah Humbug!

pastorbobnlnh 

Come now Denver Fox! Your priorities are not our priorities. New wheels can wait but daughters grow up and leave for new horizons. An upgraded bike for DG can wait until another day while the original Trek still pedals and can move from point A to point B and back again.

DnvrFox

Somehow you missed the



Smile and lighten up!

(I guess I should have known that someone would actually take my post seriously. My point being that there isn't one of us who wouldn't give our life for our kids, we all know that, and perhaps this thread is getting just a bit maudlin, and needed some lightening.)

TaosWoman

Lemonaide, the bike will wait but daughters grow up!
Besides you made the old bike happy again.

GrannyGear

Dnver.......we all know you've got a lotta heart....especially after keeping up with the palpitations thread!

If anybody wants maudlin, snif/snif, LifeTime Channel stuff, can I tell the story of sending my daughter off to college?

Gary, you're neither a "fred" as a father or a cyclist! Way cool.

Garfield Cat

Fred, many of the bike shops offer financing deals on new bikes. Some go one year with no payments. Maybe you can still get the bike.

Digital Gee

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. Yep, being a Dad is the greatest thing a guy can be, IMHO. The expression she gave me when I told her she could take my digital camera with her on the trip was priceless. I just wish I could go on the trip too, as a chaperone!

Let's ride!

stapfam

You've taken the right choice, as a father, and for your current bike. Hows that, 2 birds happy with one foul swoop, or some such metaphor. You are now back on the upgrade trail, I am afraid, but that is not a bad thing at all. Too many of us have rushed into buying a new bike- too soon and although not regretted it, have had a few seconf thoughts. Now about those shiny new barends that you have been promising yourself_________? By the Way, The camera has got to take a picture of every bike she sees, just to stop her from getting bored and give you something to make you realise that your current bike is not that bad.

jppe

For those of us who have been to Disney World with our kids, I can still hear "It's a small world after all......" over and over and over again. My daughter and I must have ridden that thing 10 times in succession.

I'm right there with you Gary. I REALLY need a time trial bike but the 3 college tuitions just do not allow for that type of thing right now. Come to think about it, with the 3 kids I never could afford the bike I now have. I guess that may mean it's not going to get any better so you've got to find a way to go ahead and get a bike!!!!!!

GrannyGear

When mine were younger, finding consistent/regular/dependable time to ride was a world class challenge. Now they're in college, time's available but cash for a Roubaix, a Zurich, a Anything is scarce. Maybe we can all swap bikes and get a sense of newness. Or all go in for new Motobecanes and get a group discount. Paint 'em all gray and decal them with "FiftyPlus" or "Team Geritol".

foehn

for Gawd's sake, have it all!

Re-fi the house, get some cash out, buy a bike, send the kid on the trip and go with her as chaperone!

( is I serious--NOT!)

aj in ma

Gary,
Great post....makes me wish my daughter was in middle school again.
Too soon she'll be out on her own and believe me, you'll miss making the sacrifices for her. As hard as those sacrifices can be to make, I believe they are one of the things that make us great dads. And just knowing that our children truely appreciate what we do for them makes it all worthwhile.

aj

umm, buy the bike anyway

tom cotter

Are you sure that your Trek 3900 didn't write that note? I've heard that Treks can be tricky.

BlazingPedals

When I was a kid... well, lets just say that class trips have gotten progressively more extravagant over the years. Somehow my kids made it through school without going on any trans-continental or trans-oceanic class trips - at parents' expense, of course! Not that a few of the teachers didn't try! I'm going to be the humbug of the bunch and say that regardless of your new bike plans, you should take the GOLDEN spoon out of her mouth and tell her to get a lot of babysitting jobs to pay for the trip. Don't confuse what she wants for what she needs.