Stuff you tell your partner
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Evanston, IL
Posts: 5,101
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 1,396 Times
in
763 Posts
My bike stuff is all in the basement or the garage, so Ellen knows what I have. She has, at times, enabled the addiction, not always in typical ways.
- She'll send me a picture of a bike at an estate sale and ask me if it's worth buying
- She stumbled on a bunch of bike-themed fabric and made me a bunch of mouse pads:
- She spiffed up my workshop peg board with a bike silhouette:
- She spiffed up the back of our building in Michigan:
These don't begin to scratch the surface. There's the workbench hauled home from one of her coworkers' house. There's the bike-themed curtains for the basement shop window and the parts cabinet we found at an estate sale and somehow managed to carry out and cram into the back of our car. I'm sure there's more I've forgotten. So, yeah, Ellen gets to see all the bike/parts buying/selling/horse trading nonsense. Heck, she just PayPal'd some $$ to Wayne Bingham at Velo Classique yesterday for a Simplex retrofriction downtube clamp.
What I don't share for the most part are all the near misses and scary stories. Sometimes that's unavoidable though:
but for the most part I'm mum about what goes on out there, and just try to keep the rubber side down and let her know where I'm at.
What I don't share for the most part are all the near misses and scary stories. Sometimes that's unavoidable though:
but for the most part I'm mum about what goes on out there, and just try to keep the rubber side down and let her know where I'm at.
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 269
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 51 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 35 Times
in
15 Posts
your kinda screwed at 3 bikes...with twenty bikes it's hard to tell what's new...once you get to a set number you can sell one to buy one. Now it's for financial reasons why not to buy a bike, best listen to the wife.
#53
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,506
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7352 Post(s)
Liked 2,479 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Like @smontanaro's wife, my wife encouraged me, too. Wrenching on bikes became a hobby when my daughter's bike got stolen and I went to the police auction to get her a replacement. I came home with three bikes. My wife's birthday gift to me was to clear out an area of our basement to be my bike workshop.
Now we have two homes. I once told her I didn't have a particular tool on hand because it was at the weekend home. She said I ought to have one of each tool in each home. I like the way she thinks. But there's no room for a workbench in the city apartment, and I'm not going to buy a second truing stand or derailleur hanger alignment tool or pair dropout straightening tools. I get by shuttling those between the homes.
She's the home improvement person and the general contractor over the renovations in the weekend home. She has amassed quite a lot of tools and supplies for that work, including a floorboard planer and an air compressor.
Now we have two homes. I once told her I didn't have a particular tool on hand because it was at the weekend home. She said I ought to have one of each tool in each home. I like the way she thinks. But there's no room for a workbench in the city apartment, and I'm not going to buy a second truing stand or derailleur hanger alignment tool or pair dropout straightening tools. I get by shuttling those between the homes.
She's the home improvement person and the general contractor over the renovations in the weekend home. She has amassed quite a lot of tools and supplies for that work, including a floorboard planer and an air compressor.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#55
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,506
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7352 Post(s)
Liked 2,479 Times
in
1,439 Posts
The city is a difficult place to live. Nature is a long way away. The city is noisy and dirty. We basically move twice a week. It's common in some urban areas, among lucky people. We don't have high incomes, but family inheritances affords us two homes. Our weekend home is in a rural area near the Catskill mountain range.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#56
Peugeot PSV10 or somethin
Since moving in with my girlfriend 6 months ago, I've convinced her to buy a Schwinn World sport, a Raleigh Professional, a Miyata 312, and a Tommaso all for herself. We no longer have 2 of those, and I also sold 2 other bikes for her, and supplied parts and build the Tommaso. I just recently bought a 2nd bike here for myself, so... I dunno, I guess we're pretty equal? lol. She commutes most days on her Tommaso and loves it.
#57
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,506
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7352 Post(s)
Liked 2,479 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Right, and my wife owns three of her own.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#58
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Seal Beach Ca. On the right , next to Long Beach
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 86' Centurion Ironman
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 628 Post(s)
Liked 316 Times
in
175 Posts
AH the bicycle passion .This thread is getting some traction . No not financial reasons , we live comfortable . You could even say we have disposable income . Mswesti and I have a mutual hobby , more a life style (google Westsail) but that is more a second home to us as we do live on it in the summer time .
Last edited by markwesti; 09-09-18 at 01:10 PM.
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Central California
Posts: 1,083
Bikes: 2001 LeMond Nevada City, ‘92 Merlin Titanium, '84 Torpado Super Strada, ‘84 Schwinn Tempo, '81 Bianchi Limites, '73 Raleigh Supercourse
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 161 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
41 Posts
My wife and I are honest with each other about our desires. I recently just acquired a Merlin...and all I had to do was talk to her about it. She said...you obviously want it and know what you are doing. You work hard and deserve it. Have fun.
I buy her things. She buys herself stuff. She buys me stuff. We don’t go crazy about anything, but love it when the other is happy.
I prefer being honest and find it makes for good sleep.
I buy her things. She buys herself stuff. She buys me stuff. We don’t go crazy about anything, but love it when the other is happy.
I prefer being honest and find it makes for good sleep.
#60
Flat Ire
The formula
At the onset one needs to reveal the cyclists' formula to the S.O.
X=Y+1
X= The number of bikes one needs.
Y= The number of bikes on currently owns.
X=Y+1
X= The number of bikes one needs.
Y= The number of bikes on currently owns.
#61
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
When I do try to describe the latest bike project to my wife, she listens initially, which only encourages me to elaborate...then her eyes just glaze over.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Capestang, France
Posts: 1,341
Bikes: Lots of French, some British and a couple of Italian
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 247 Post(s)
Liked 130 Times
in
65 Posts
Although A is not a cyclist, she has been known to enjoy a bike ride, and even organise one or two. I have too many frames that don't fit me that are on the way out but I'm happy with the rest and I can make the case for the occasional extra. Also, sometimes it's easier to get forgiveness than permission.
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 481
Bikes: 2014 Giant Roam
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 84 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What I've always had that bike you just never pay attention to me! and then I accuse her of liking that guy from Americas got dance and storm out.
#65
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I realised my wife doesn't know when I buy/swap out wheels. So that's my little dirty secret. Depending on the bike, a new set of hoops can definitely make the bike feel a lot different and/or capable of going off-road, if that's your thing.
#66
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You both are the captain!
Marriage is like a ship that the wife and husband are captains. What is good for the ship is good for the marriage. All things should be discussed, and both sides should be fair to the other capitan. If any one dominates, that is not a good arrangement. Get off the ship!
#67
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Seal Beach Ca. On the right , next to Long Beach
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 86' Centurion Ironman
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 628 Post(s)
Liked 316 Times
in
175 Posts
The ship
Marriage is like a ship that the wife and husband are captains. What is good for the ship is good for the marriage. All things should be discussed, and both sides should be fair to the other capitan. If any one dominates, that is not a good arrangement. Get off the ship!
#68
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Seal Beach Ca. On the right , next to Long Beach
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 86' Centurion Ironman
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 628 Post(s)
Liked 316 Times
in
175 Posts
The all seeing eye
My wife knows everything ,well not really . She does take notice when the EBay packet shows up .
#70
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Then do what is the best for the boat. Become a true partner, equal and concern to sail to the end with Oneness! Sacrifice, by both, is the foundation of a good relationship and lasting marriage!
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 753 Post(s)
Liked 737 Times
in
422 Posts
We each have hobbies. My interests and acquisitions vary, but don't cost any more than her cigarettes and extensive moving violation collection......
Last edited by bark_eater; 09-11-18 at 08:44 AM.
#72
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: North central Ohio
Posts: 19
Bikes: 1964 Sherwood Flyer, 2017 Raleigh Superbe iE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Which came first?
I've been married now for 21 years, but bought my bike in 1964 when I needed a way to get to work and my Dad wouldn't let me buy a $50 Ford for sale up the street. As you might have guessed, it's still my first bike, but my second wife. On the other hand, I like keeping my antique running. The proof that she loves me, however, is that soon after we were married she bought me a second old bike at a rummage sale. My "return payment" is to keep her 10-speed in bearings and tuned. Now that I'm over the hill, I tested our marriage by buying a new bike, a Raleigh Superbe iE. As electric assists go, it's on the less expensive side, but mine cost double. Yes, my enthusiasm meant I had to buy her one a few weeks later. She won't ride it much, but it's a great equalizer.
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 467 Post(s)
Liked 532 Times
in
267 Posts
Most of my life, one bike met my needs. I always had a work space and tools for wood working and car repair. But, by late middle age my work hours reduced enough to allow the luxury of multiple bicycles, i.e. a collection.. I think it requires a mature relationship to work. Here's my insight:
Male/Female relationships are complex. Some couples have much in common, others little. My wife and I are extreme opposites, but it worked these 58 years because both of us are disciplined and frugal. It took time to know each other and discover our strengths and weaknesses along with what we mutually enjoy. Opposites attract because together we make a whole. Over time, we came to enjoy the things we have in common and appreciate the differences that attracted us so strongly to each other. I know one thing, she is truly "my better half". Don
Male/Female relationships are complex. Some couples have much in common, others little. My wife and I are extreme opposites, but it worked these 58 years because both of us are disciplined and frugal. It took time to know each other and discover our strengths and weaknesses along with what we mutually enjoy. Opposites attract because together we make a whole. Over time, we came to enjoy the things we have in common and appreciate the differences that attracted us so strongly to each other. I know one thing, she is truly "my better half". Don
Last edited by ollo_ollo; 09-11-18 at 11:13 AM. Reason: spelling/grammar
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,663
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1612 Post(s)
Liked 2,594 Times
in
1,225 Posts
I get a pass because I fix her friends, and their kids bikes. The other day she asked what happened to one of the bikes I had hanging in the garage, "You mean the Follis? I'm letting someone try it out". She says "I don't know, the blue one that hung by the dryer. I use it to hang my clothes" Ha, she now has a Trek 2300 to use for a clothes line...
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,157
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2364 Post(s)
Liked 1,751 Times
in
1,193 Posts
Half the time it's me telling her "Yeah, let's check it out", after she spots a C&V deal on CL, or spies something at the thrift store bike sale that I overlooked. Other half the time, it's vice-versa. IOW, we're about balanced in our obsession.