Originally posted by stridercc
When I bought my bike the guy at the shop where I bought it from told me that there are more expensive sports out there, but I have come to realize that he was full of -Matt-
Oh, man, there CERTAINLY ARE more expensive sports than bicycling. Try skiing or ice-hockey or golf or boating or almost anything else. You will kiss your bicycle and feel guilty for not spending more on it.
One redeeming aspect of bicycling is that it can actually do something functional that can offset the cost of the sport. The bicycle can provide economical transportation. What other sport can do that? Sailing? Sure, at about $10.00 per mile (amortized over a year's boating costs) or ice skating? Sure, if you are Hans Christian Anderson ice skating in Holland from city to city.
Learn how to maintain and repair your own bike. Take care of your machine, and it will be the one sport that carries it's own weight in terms of cost.