el Inglés

At 15 I was working part time weekends in the familly buisness , then if I wanted something I had to save or sometimes borrow from my Dad and repay it - a good lesson to learn ; live within your limits , and ALWAYS have a bit aside for a rainy day , because when it rains it pours .

poululla

I pay for it myself. I find it much easier to explain to myself why I need those expensive parts etc. But there s a flipside so all this - I sometimes lie to my wife about how much it all costs me

FemaleWarrior

Ever hear the term, "Sugar Daddy"

MsVicki

Where can I find one of those?

emgNH

I ignore my husband's motorcycle modification habit, and he ignores my bicycle upgrade habit.

Ignorance is bliss in this house!

ewitz

The insurance company of the guy who hit me last.

At the end of every season, usually October or November, I get hit by a car. It's amazing how easy it is to take advantage of the opportunities that you would swerve to avoid in June or July. Just make sure that the police show up and file a report, and especially make sure that the driver gets a ticket for a moving violation, this might take a bit of acting.

Never been hurt, never keep a bike longer than a year. This fall I switched from a TCR 1 alloy to a TCR Composite.

They also have to replace your helmet, there only good for one fall. And usually I can get a new pair of shorts, jersey, and whatever else I happen to need.

Once you get a set of x-rays and complain about soft tissue damage they will do anything to get a personal injuries waiver. I have gotten a replacement value cheque in less than 36 hours by signing quickly.

My bike store loves me because I pay full price and as a result give me great service during the season.

I have done this for the past five years, works like a charm.

So to all you careless drivers, happy motoring and thanks for the bikes.

lotek 

Thats really nice, good insurance fraud racket you've got running.
I particularly like the part about opportunities. consider yourself
lucky you haven't gotten hurt. I also think its only a matter of time
before you rightfully get prosecuted when the insurance companies
begin to see multiple payouts to you.
really gives cyclists a good name eh?

ewitz

No racket. I have never CAUSED an accident.

If a driver puts me in the position where I have to take defensive and evasive measures then that driver is obviously not in full control of their vehicle. That would put the driver at fault. The fact that I might have been able to avoid the incident makes no difference. The driver should not put me in that position.

The police recognize the driver's responsibility to control the car. The insurance company has assumed the liability for any damages that might arise from the insured's use, or improper use, of the vehicle.

roadfix

I don't know him but there's a guy in our group training ride that seems to go through similar incidents as you describe. It's funny, it only happens to him and no one else while we're all riding together. He seems like an angry individual who seems to enjoy confronting motorists.

George

Allister

I pay for my own stuff, but my needs are fairly modest. I buy a new set of tyres and a new drivetrain once a year typically. The only extras I have are to replace a wheel occasionally when I taco it in some altercation in traffic. I tend not to buy bike stuff I don't need or wont get significant use out of. All my frivolous spending goes on Lego.

Allister

Actually it does. I'm not aware of what the exact rules are in your area, but here there is a responsibility put on all road users to do everything in their power to avoid a collision, whether they're in the wrong or not. If an insurer could show that you could have avoided the collision, but didn't, you could be s.o.l. or at least held partially responsible.

Either way, it's a risky game you're playing. You might not always walk away from one of these crashes. I'd also be careful who you boast to about it. But hey, it's your skin. Let your own conscience be your guide.

bianchi_rider

Unfortunately I pay for ALL of mine and my sons, he is 11 and I will pay for his things until he is 16 and can legally get a job, he can then pay for his own gear, tho i may help every now and then , plus Christmas and Birthdays etc so he doesnt lose interest.
But since I do pay for my own gear, I like the expensive things, all of my jerseys are team bianchi, all of my bibs are team bianchi except one, all of my socks clothing even my helmet are team bianchi, my bike tune ups and upgrades i pay for also, I just search and find things on ebay you can get great deals for "NEW" gear there and most sellers accept money orders. (they are fools if they dont)
But like I said there are lots of great cycling clothing, gropos and even bikes for alot less on the internet..

DnvrFox

Around here, the person who had the last chance to avoid the incident is typically at fault.

The insurance company is not paying for your biking. I and all other buyers of insurance are paying for it. Our premiums are increased because of your actions.

Knock it off. I already pay enough. And, WHEN you are seriously injured, I will have to pay for that, also.

bianchi_rider

LOL, no problem there Mr Smokey Bear.
Fortunately I havent been pulled over since I moved to Florida, Now my wife on the other hand did and it only cost $40.00
I did pay for that one, guess that was the day you guys at the S.O. had donuts on me LOL
My taxes dont seem to go towards the S.O. they seem to go more towards the schools in this County.
I dont know why or see where but according to the media and news papers the schools get it all, maybe you should be one of those S.O. guys thats works in the school trooper, i bet you would get a raise LOL
be safe

bianchi_rider

"REVISED"
"REVISED": I guess I pay for Super Troopers gear as well, so I am now a part owner in his Sweet Bianchi
Think I may pick that bike up this weekend and take it for a nice long ride

pinky

Well this season its all reperations for getting hit by a Lexus (I hate to say this but considering the damage I took and the money I got, I came out on top). Previous years (like 16-18) were spent working at least 40 hours a week over the summer doing as many jobs as possible then riding till dark.

ewitz

Good for you 'pinky'. Also, very good choice. The Lexus drivers are almost always well insured and eager to make restitution for the accidents.

Next year chose a dream bike at the beginning of the season and keep your eyes open for the oppotunities.

I already want to move up to the T-Mobile Team Replica composite bike and my bike has only been on the trainer so far. Luckily they will not relase the bike until the end of the season, so that when I'll be looking for another 'opportunity' to upgrade.

lotek 

Ewitz,

someone should track you down and nail you for
insurance fraud. And yes you did cause the accidents,
you've as much as admitted that here.
You are nothing more than a thief with an unusual angle.

djbowen1

He cant be serious, if he is and writing it here he is stupid as hell.

ewitz

An unusual angle and a really nice new bike.

Can't forget that new bike part.

By the way, nothing is fraudulent. The insurance company always asks for the receipts from the bike that they are replacing, I make sure to let them know that it was bought through a prior at fault insurance claim. I make no bones about it. They assume the liabilty. The police assign the fault by charging the driver.

I am merely the benefactor of the unfortunately bad driving habits of drivers around cyclists.

I drive a car. I pay insurance. I make sure that I don't cut off cyclists, or other drivers , for that matter. I am aware of what is going on around me when I am driving and make sure that everyone gets home safely.

Perhaps the fault really does lie with the driver. If they were in less of a rush and were watching what they were doing I would not be upgrading on an annual basis.

It is one thing to throw yourself in front of a moving vehicle it is completely different to be a less than defensive cyclist.

A fine line? Maybe but it is one that I can walk with a clear conscience.

Have you ever thought about that.

pinky

ewitz man sounds like you've taken one too many to the head. Having been hit, I never want to have it happen again.

ewitz

Maybe. If that's the case I'll take the room next to Pantani please.

roadfix

I primarily ride in the ghettos of Los Angeles and most drivers for the most part are uninsured. From your experience, what or which kinds of vehicles shall I target? Thanks..

George

Machka 

Well, that would be me.

When you're an adult, you pay for your own stuff.

Portis

I am Married With Children. The way I see it, everybody pays for my cycling stuff, everybody in the family that is. THat is why I try to be conservative. I could buy nearly any bike available if I wanted to but everybody in the family would pay for it one way or another.

If you have a certain fixed amount of $$ like most people do, if you spend it on one thing, you can't spend it on another. My wife probably wishes I spent less than I do but I feel like I am pretty conservative. So if you are like me, Al Bundy and so many others, remember that you probably shouldn't spend your kid's college education on some of your bike toys.