Ah, there’s nothing like unsolicited advice. You ask for opinions and advice about bikes; you get opinions and advice about finances. Thanks to those who commented, but I’m very well aware that money doesn’t grow on trees and that I can’t buy a house with a bike.
Even if I don’t buy a new bike, there are a number of maintenance items that need to be done to my current bike, including buying aerobars and new tires — aerobars for the triathlon, and tires because my current tires are four years old and worn out and bordering on unsafe. That’s the minimum necessary. I’ve also been thinking about upgrading the components since the bike was 6 months old, because I’ve currently got the lowest level components and have had a lot of problems with them staying true and aligned. In one triathlon, I couldn’t get into my lowest gears because the chain would fall off if I went there because the gearing had gotten so far out-of-alignment; it was in Austin, so yes, I needed the low gears.
So, considering that there is already money to be spent, and that I was already planning to spend at least that base amount, and considering that Bike Barn has a trade-in program, it may very well be possible to get a brand new bike for only a couple hundred dollars more than I’d spend on upgrades. A couple hundred dollars is only a portion of my tax refund, which still leaves plenty for savings. To me, that’s getting close to a no-brainer if I can find the bike I want at the right price.
I know that people think I spend money with abandon, but believe it or not, I do actually live within my means.
Speaking of bikes, my trainer arrives today! Thank goodness — I can’t take much more of the stationary bike in the gym. I had to ride a couple miles on the recumbant version last night until I could snag one of the four upright bikes to finish my workout. I did 21 miles total in about 1:10. The stationary bike obviously requires a different level of effort than a real bike; if I did 21 miles in 1:10 on a real road, it wouldn’t be unreasonable, but it’d be on the fast side for me.
No workout today. It’ll be the first day I’ve missed, but there wasn’t much of a way around it short of getting up at 6 a.m…and yeah, not so much. I know a lot of people are morning runners, etc, but not me. I was here by 9, will leave at 3:30 to go to class, and then as soon as I get out of class I’m coming back to work to watch the ascent sim from another position’s backroom. Tomorrow all my boxes will be checked and I will be a certified flight controller! Finally.