Since last August, I have been keeping close track of my cycling expenses. Through today (almost 6 months), I have laid out $509 for my two bikes -- one a road bike and one an around town beater. Expenses included new tires, tubes, a new stem, lights, and various repairs at my LBS. So if I continue on course, it looks like my cycling hobby will cost me aboout $1,000 a year. . I see this as a rather inexpensive way to keep fit and have an enjoyable hobby. I keep telling my wife how relatively inexpensive my cycling habit really is. What if I'd taken up golf, or women or Winston Cup racing?

You do realise that your expenses in that time amount to around $1,000AUD?

Of course, the fuel bills that I don't have to pay probably add up to considerably more than that.

That's what I do, too.

Damn I am up to 3000$

Golf can get very expensive (not that biking isn't). If one were to golf twice a week at an average course ($25-$50/round), you'd be looking at about $3,000-$5,000 a year to play, not including the "stuff".
Then if you took up women, well then you have to pay for a house that you can't live in plus a whole lot more hastles .

if you take girls for your hobby, you will need a lot of aspirin, its not that I am talking ill of girls but if your married better stay away from girls, you will live longer, coz, your'e wife would probably kill you my motto, just look no touch, I stay healthy this way...

and $1,000.00 a year is very cheap, I need to talk to you, and teach me how to keep my bike spending to that amount...

Regarding women as a "hobby:" It's okay to look at the menu; just don't order anything.

I ended the year with $ in my pocket. I created a spreadsheet to track my bike expenses and milage. Every day I commute I get $3 into my (virtual) account, based on milage and vehicle costs saved. I record all puchase for bike related stuff and the speadsheet does the rest. I have a running $ balance, total miles to date, number of days ridden to date, avg number of day ridden per week. I also record any significant commute conditions such as flats, car to shop and so on. I also keep a wish list and aprox cost to plan future purchases.
I am the "King of Cheap" and plan my purchase and shop for the deals. At this point my 'hobby' has saved me money. Can't beat that.
Steve<><

Your wife lets you look!!?? WOW! Lucky guy!

MikeR, you call that lucky, that is "Torture", its like the water treatment , the torturer will fill your stomach with water on a hose, then will let you lie down on your back and the torturer will sit on your stomach, water will come out on all your holes, that kind is water torture,

OUCH!!