If you’ve been watching this site, you will know that there has been a new arrival in the Bicycling offices – a new member of the Bicycling South Africa family. She’s beautiful and is just a few days old. When she was brought into the office today everyone wanted to touch her and look at her.
Even in the street, passers-by gazed at her and, of course, everyone wanted one just like her. When she first arrived I couldn’t keep my eyes off her and as I lay in bed at night, I would place her close by so I could gaze at her beauty and ensure she was safe.
There has been teething problems but nothing too serious. I had to wait a long time for her to arrive and over the closing weeks before her expected arrival, I was both nervous and excited about how she would change my life.
I’m talking of course, about my new bike.
Unfortunately, the new arrival has been overshadowed by the excitement around another new arrival, Bicycling’s Online Editor Kirsten Curtis’s baby. She is a month away from welcoming a new cycling convert into the world and there is much excitement and planning of baby showers among the women in the office.
But there was no such planning before my bike arrived. It was as if no one cared about the fact that my full carbon Cannondale Synapse was my dream bike. There were no parties for me where people could give me new gloves or a nice bottle of new chain lube. Nobody even took a bet about whether I would get the blue/white frame or the red/grey frame.
Despite this, I am convinced that getting a new bike is far better than a new baby. There is far less getting up in the middle of the night (although far more getting up early in the morning), there is far less mess (if you don’t count the chain marks on the bed) and there is also the possibility that, if I’m not totally happy, I can take it back and get a different model (tricky with a baby!)
And yet the excitement is the same. The expectation of that first ride. The attention of those around and the joy of having your own piece of pure joy.
Call me what you want, but I’d far rather have a new bike than a new baby.
This article is soooooo brilliant!!! I love it!!! I was in the same boat last month…. the funny thing is that if i had announced i was having a baby i would be in deep trouble seen as my hubby’s factory is closed…. but on the other hand i was getting a new baby… i did keep it a secret from many people till i had her in my hands… my beautiful naked full carbon Pinarello FP2 arrived as a xmas pressie… from me to me… and she was envied by many… I wanted her to sleep in the bed and my hubby actually turned down the idea of a 3-some… in fact she was only allowed in our bedroom on the first night… then was relocated to the persian carpet in the dinning room, till he couldn’t take it anymore and she was banished out doors to the bike room… But now she’s my favourite toy of all time… i did however feel a tad emotional as my 1st baby was sold to my cousin.. every now and then i do share my time with my MTB… but they understand they have to share me too… :-)
Thanks for an awesome magazine. Love it!
I can totally relate and here I thought I was the only crazy one! The only sad thing is that we do not get time off to welcome the new addition! We should lobby for at least a month off on the arrival of your new two-wheeled baby!
yes, I agree on the bi-ternity leave. You should get a week off just so you can spend time with your new one.
When I leave for work in the morning as I drive out the garage I always say “goobye my darling I will see you later” – to my wife’s disgust she knows I am not talking to her but to my new Giant Anthem 29er.
So very true.. I got a new Cannondale SuperSix and it has been given better treatment than my girlfriend.. I often just stare at her with amazement on how beautiful she is with all the Carbon she is dressed in.. :)
I am totally relate with your story, actually I am also very obsessed for new bikes. When I bought my first one I was caring her like my baby, i used always keep on cleaning and decorating her. As if now I am driving a car but I still love to ride a bike.
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