The dark side of having a passion for cycling
 

This morning we received a Christmas dinner invitation by email. I assume that it was sent to the entire extended family. You know how they say that sometimes there's a message behind the message? I'm wondering if this isn't one of them. The email partially copied below was written by the wife of my nephew Kyle. I'm Paul.

We're really excited to be hosting everyone this year in our new home! With any luck, we'll have most of the renovations complete by the time you arrive...and if not, blame Kyle for spending too much time (and money!) on his bike this summer. Or actually, blame Paul for getting him obsessed with biking in the first place :) Kidding! (kinda)

I will graciously respond to her email in acceptance of their invitiation to join them for Christmas dinner. If I lived close enough I'd offer to come and help Kyle finish any of their renovations, but lucky for me we don't live that close. In the mean time I'll keep looking for the perfect second bike for him since I've already convinced him of the benefit of having a "winter" bike. :)

A polite and playful note is in order saying that you'll also take some of the blame for Kyle's good health and fitness.

Looks like you two will be riding on Christmas day, and returning just in time for dinner. Then open all your bike related gifts. Maybe a nap. Then eat some more.She don't know the half of it.Kyle is a lucky fellow to have a uncle and mentor like you. Keep up the good work.:giver:

Tell Kyle that the renovation takes priority to bike riding for now. Kyle has a lot of years to ride. A couple of months won't hurt him.

Take your bike with you and then you can ride with Kyle either before or after the meal -- or maybe before and after. ;)

I can tell that you're from sunny California so every day's the same. It isn't Kyle's fault they're having a drought so he hasn't had enough rainy days to finish the renovations. Besides, doesn't Kyle have lots of years to finish those projects? A couple of more months won't hurt.

:thumb:

Kyle is being brought up right. His wife's dismay is a good sign of this.

Depends on the stage of renovation and who is doing it. If he has sub contractors doing some of it and the rest by himself, its going to be a long dragged out thing. Subs like to get things done in quick order so they can go onto the next job. When things are interrupted, it means the entire renovation takes on a rather unpleasant living condition for the family. His Uncle would know how its going.

Bike riding and house renovation are very different and distinct things. I don't see them as being comparable.

However, a wife's dismay if not addressed...will not lead to anything good. I'd suggest given the makeup of this section, most of us here have figured that out.

Touche!

She must be in a desperate situation assuming she has tried to reconcile this issue before expanding the audience via email.

:lol::lol:

As said, he is fortunate to have you as an uncle, getting anyone into cycling is a plus, in my book. I doubt that its more than a friendly jab, just roll with it, and I agree with suggesting a ride for the two of you later in the day. All they can say is No, its good intents on your part.

Bill

The comments are hilarious. I'm undecided whether I should share the "groups consensus" with Kyles wife. :)

Unfortunately Kyle lives in the Pacific NW so it rains a lot during the winter - so yes, he'll have lots of days to finish the renovations (later). Have to ride when you can.


Ron, funny you should say this. Last summer my wife's parents moved out of their house into a condo. They live in another city near Kyle and his wife. I had no interest in the pandemonium that was to ensue during their move so I left my wife to help them and took my bike and went for a ride with Kyle. :) :) I know, I'm going to get lots of negative comments on that, abandoning the in-laws. The fact is that the situation was likely better off without me making comments on how things could be better organized, etc. Best I went for a (long) ride.

We'll see what the weather is forecast to be for the dinner weekend - we can ride from his door, lots of great roads. Maybe a short one?

lol. Subs like to collect half the money, do half the job, then move on to the next because they can't schedule for **** and the second half is where all the work is. I've waited months for subs to finish; I'm more than pleased to pass my experience to others.

A lot like students doing a term paper. Give a student an entire semester and most of it will be done at the very end of the time. Not all students are like this. Depends on how many Advanced Placement classes they take and other extracurricular activities are on the plate. Sub contractors on the other hand probably have a different set of priorities.

You can never get back a good day that would have been a good riding day.

If Kyle lives in the western parts of the PNW he needs to be introduced to fenders. Those of us near sea level ride year round. There is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing.

So basically she is telling everyone who shows up to to give you a ration if the renovations are not done because your nephew wants more play days.

It does sound like she has a legitimate complaint. Tell Kyle to man-up and get the work done and then he can ride.

John

Good on you for getting Kyle into cycling. One day his wife may understand, or maybe not. In the meantime it seems he's enjoying it.

I would think Kyle could get the reno's done and still ride. Just prioritize his time wisely. Been retired for just over a year and have gotten in the habit of going to ride for 1-3 hours in the AM, just after breakfast. That gives me all afternoon to do the necessary "chores" around the house to keep wife happy. If needed, I will skip a day of riding to get the extra work done. It is possible.

Wives need to look on the bright side. Having a husband that cycles instead of cheating is a good thing!!!!

Honestly, some women will find anything to complain about. Odds are, if it weren't his cycling, it would be his gaming, or his hunting, or his whatever. The real problem is that she doesn't like his activities outside of her purview.

It is not an obsession, it is something that we were born with. A hidden time bomb waiting to explode. W can't be held responsible for this malady! or The devil made me do it!