13 years ago I was very happy. I rode when I wanted, I lived the way I wanted and I existed for me. 11 years ago I fell in love with a long time friend and we moved in together. I am still crazy about this woman, but I have to confess I have not always been comfortable with the adjustments.
My bicycles, 13 years ago, hung in my bedroom. When I began sharing that room she was very diplomatic and suggested that my bicycles clashed with the furniture that she brought to the relationship. So the machines of my batchelorhood were relegated to the garage.
I soon realized that most of my stuff clashed with her stuff because the garage was full of my stuff. What is wrong with an orange bean bag chair? So what if it had duct tape on some of the seams to keep its guts from spilling onto the floor? I miss my coffee table...mostly because the stain rings were of an artistic nature. Maybe I could see the reasoning behind all my worn out tires making their way to THE CLASHLANDS, but not my old, er I mean antique shoes? When I suggested that we had plenty of wall space and wouldn't a bike painted completely red and hung on the wall (like sculpture) be a great addition, I was shot down over "aesthetic differences".
Now one might think that I am whining and complaining about my partner in life. Quite the contrary. I want to brag about her. She understands that cycling is slightly obsessive with me. When I wanted another bike I expected a small battle of words. I got,"We better make more room in the garage". That was 2 bikes ago. She encourages my riding. She supports me and I could not ask for more. A while back I asked why she never minded me taking big chunks of time to go riding with my buddies. She said that it is simple. I always come home and it keeps me from hanging out in bars.
I know that she reads this forum and I must say...thank you. Balanced with the other things that we do together, I couldn't ask for more. Happy anniversary.

G'day,

BBBBBikes in the GGGGarage.....(hitchy is sweating perfusely at the thought!)....geez hope my missus doesn't read this thread.....If she gave me an ultimatum about my bikes I suppose I'd have no choice.......but gee i'd miss her!

cheers,

Hitchy

This reminds me of my training partner and his old girlfriend. She decided that she was done with his bikes and buddies.
She said,"Either the bikes go or I do"!
He replied,"I guess I better find a better bike".

BOOM BOOM......My wife ran off with my best mate....gee I miss him!......Rodney dangerfield

Cycling marginalised again... to the garage no less.

Believe me, no woman's aesthetic interpretations are sufficiently good reason to relegate bikes to the car house. Ask her this: Would she relegate a $5,000 painting, or jewelled bracelet to the garage?

These are the killer lines for you Tarantula: "When I began sharing that room she was very diplomatic and suggested that my bicycles clashed with the furniture that she brought to the relationship... I soon realized that most of my stuff clashed with her stuff because the garage was full of my stuff. "

I think they make comedy shows about this sort of thing.

I'm quite happy having my bikes in the garage (and no, nobody makes me keep them there, I do it of my own free will). It's nice to be able to get dressed and ready in the house then walk into the garage, inflate my tires, put on my shoes, and go. Saves having to worry about banging my bike into walls and doors and marking up the carpet with dirty tires (especially after a rainy ride).

I wish I had a garage for my bikes. The kitchen is damn crowded! That said, I dig frames as art...esp as I have two not built up! How can you have a relationship with someone who doesn't ride?

I prefer my bike locked up in the garage. They are right next to my work bench with all my tools and everything accessible instantly. Besides, I like to migrate to the garage frequently in the evenings when the wife and kids are inside, and the kids are playing. It gives a sense of time alone with some peace and quiet.

As far as the Orange bean bag with duct tape goes. I think it might be a good idea to just let her take care of the intererior decorating from now on. As many fond memories we may all have, the fact is.....Disco, polyester leisure suits, and orange bean bag chairs died out 30 years ago.

you know what? i was satisfied with being relegated to the garage. till....my wife is a developmental therapist.... i noticed that my part of the garage was shrinking. her therapy toys were taking over and my stuff was piled up on my workbench>>i have to step over things to get to my bike and to store it upon my return.
so until you star in your own little 'honey, you shrunk the garage' i'd dummy up and take it, it could be worse. my mountain bike and road bikes need to 'toy story' it up and re-take over that garage.

I think it's important for a couple to have their own space and their own things. I don't live with my girlffriend, but when (not if ) we move in together I'm going to need a space of my own to keep my bikes and car stuff and all the other 'boy's toys' that she has no interest in. Although you really do need to do something about her taking over the furniture decisions, after all, I bet you sit on whatever replaced that bean bag more than she does...