I've only once shown my entire 'treasure' to someone else. The guy had put up an ad offering a huge pile of old cycling magazines his dad, a former racer, had collected over a 50-year period. He wanted no money, but he would only give to someone who would really appreciate them. He'd already turned down a few people when I called. I wasn't going to convince him over the phone, so I invited him over.
I picked up the magazines the next day.

"How many bikes do you have?" followed closely by "How many bikes do you need?"

I reply, "lots" and "more".

My father in law - "How many can you ride at once?"

Me - "How many clubs are in that bag in your trunk?"

My wife now wants me to make a full inventory so when I 'fall off the perch' she will be able to describe the bike/component accurately on ebay and have an idea of its worth.

I'm afraid of doing that and revealing the truth as it just might lead to a premature death.

makes, you think, eh? Some local funeral insurance service runs adds here aimed at twentysomethings with shiny happy young people accompied with morbid texts about sudden deaths and the importance of a good insurance. Rather morbid.

Hahaha. She does insist on paying the life insurance premiums 'on time'. Now it's getting very morbid.

LOL@Gary

Ask her the same question about her shoes

Yes!!! Great reply. Haha. I'm not so scared now.

Cute girl at house for a party: "I didn't know you had a bike fetish!"

I try not too let to many people know what I have, but sometimes it can't be helped and usually a comment like, Do you have enough bikes? No I always reply, then followed with a do you have any you want to get rid of? My friends are use to it as I have always had a collection of bicycles, motorcycles and other means of transportation laying around since I was a kid. My wife couldn't care less as long as I'm happy.

I haven't really searched out any new bicycles for two years now as my plate has been rather full with what I already have that needs work that I can't seem to find the time to get them done & flipped or added to my collection. The one thing that has been bothering me is the amount of scrap that has built up in a year, I used to trade a junk guy my scrap for bicycles, lawnmowers & anything else I could make a buck selling once fixed up, but he passed away this winter. I have spent the last four 90 degree days outside sanding, grinding & painting a flatbed for my pickup so I can haul all of the junk away myself when it's finished.


Glenn

"Do you ride all of these?" followed by "you need help"

My long suffering spouse has addressed this matter with me.

With full sincerity, I gave her Aaron's phone number as a resource.

I don't remember what people say. Isn't that strange? Maybe I just keep talking so they don't have to say anything. I have often said, "I think I might qualify for the Hoarders TV show."

My wife only minds to the extent that the stuff gets in the way. She is OK with stuff in the garage as long as she can get to stuff she needs to. She gave me a whole room in the basement to use as a workshop. She gets annoyed when the bikes spill into other areas. We're currently moving and downsizing. I said I can reduce the number of bikes. She asked how many I can live with comfortably. I said seven or eight, and she said, "Oh, that's reasonable." Now you see why I'm sticking with her. I love her so much.

Now that's a good idea.

Lovely story Tom.

On that subject, I have a pact with an old friend back where I used to live. He doesn't collect bikes but has an amazing collection of other stuff. Mostly vintage fly fishing gear, etc. Our pact is this: "If you die first, I'll come help your wife sort out and price things."
We didn't slice our palms and mix blood or anything but, it is a standing arrangement.
We're brothers, for sure.

As one gets to the age where mortality seeps into one's thinking from time to time... I feel for my wife if I happen to croak unexpectedly.
Time to start divesting of the huge collection of "stuff" I've acquired. I'm not worried about the bikes, since there's only four of them.

LMAO - I'm honored!

One of the things I do hear a lot is "Wow, you have a very tolerant wife." And I do! It wasn't that bad until the second tandem - that one is an issue. I think she'd ideally like us to get rid of the triplet now.

My wife knows which bikes are worth the big bucks and we've talked about it. My niece and nephew each get one of their choice. The triplet goes to my sister, if she wants it...or gets donated to the local co-OP. The other bikes are her choice - she'd come here and ask for help. I know there are locals who would assist, and she'd compensate them. I told her if she doesn't feel like selling them, I'd want them donated to the co-OP with the understanding they'd be for their racing team and not sold.

I ended up donating four "project" bikes to a local coop last winter.

They didn't need very much work and they likely cleared $250 - $300 for each one.

I just saw one of them at our local farmer's market last weekend outfitted with newspaper racks and baskets.

Looked like a pack mule that was going to get a solid workout for the rest of its life.

Brought a smile to my face.

Usually, all I get is "How many do you have?"

The answer "five" raises the occasional eyebrow, but as a BFer I know that's quite reasonable.

My stash is modest (8) and all hanging upside down over my Mustang GT. I'm only limited by the garage door when it is open so there's room for about 6 more at least (assuming hanging creativity). Given the other stuff (tubes, road & MTB tires, wheels, portable stand) hanging around..I get the SO eye roll. The six helmets hanging in the hallway are the tip off (I've a collection spanning the mid 70's to present bit still looking for a leather hairnet). My cycle friends laugh....they understand. They want to know the history of every bike!

"My, this is very neatly kept."

In my case, the potential client gets three tours: First is the workshop, where they see that I'm not just collecting a couple of rusty wrenches in an old box. Next is the garden shed, where my salable inventory, and all my 'before' bikes are stored. Also, one of my 'resume' bikes (the Ranger 3-speed). Finally, the garage when my collection of derailleur road bikes are stored, including my other 'resume' bike (the Raleigh Lenton). By that point, any worries they have about not taking their bike into Richmond and a 'real bike shop' have long gone.

I usually have to stop for a moment, mentally track where each bike is stored (12 road bikes in the garage, 4 non-road bikes in the garden shed, my Twenty in the workshop, the No Dead Kittens bike at work - that's the current inventory) before I can give an answer. Then, I can always mention the remaining partially completed ones that'll probably be on the road before the end of fall . . . . . .

I'm finding it simpler to just will the contents of the shop and the collection to Poguemahone. He'll know what to do with it, even though I'd be sticking him with a load of bikes that are way to small for him.

They usually nod, act politely engaged, stifle a yawn and then ask about the antique Chinese furniture...or something else they're not really interested in.