Comments on: Adult Sports Are a Money Sink

By: Gypsie

Gypsie — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:08:26 +0000

Caveman,
I live in a year-round sunny place, TX, and a semi-small town (100,000). There are tons of great places for biking around here. And my summer rides, that I am already signed up for are a 66 mile ride (tour de burma), a 471 mile ride in 7-days (RAGBRAI), and a century ride (Hotter N Hell 100).

Oh yeah, and my bike didnt come with pedals!

I really really enjoy your blog!

By: Early Retirement Extreme

Early Retirement Extreme — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:54:47 +0000

I play inline hockey and I bike (200-300 miles/month). I never pay retail and I tend to stock up when things are on sale. Every week I check the online shops to see if anything is on clearance. If something I need is on clearance, typically wheels, replacement blades, … I ask my team mates if they’d like to go along for a bulk purchase (saves on shipping). For the bike I tend to buy good stuff already so I’m not tempted by upgrade fever. I also try to match the equipment to my skill level. For instance, paying an extra $1000 to get a bike that lighter by 2lbs is crazy since I can drop 2 lbs of body weight for free. On the other hand, I’m fast enough to justify a 105/ultegra combination on the drive train, but certainly not dura-ace, whereas sora would be a pain.
Also, I try to spend money on rink-time instead of say new gloves as practice tends to improve my game much better than new equipment (a guy that plays three times a week in crap/entry equipment beats a guy that plays once a week in pro equipment – a fancy toe drag with a cheap stick looks better than a whiff with a composite any day :-) ). Same goes with the biking. Nothing better than zooming past a skinny legged rider in full team wear whose wheels alone cost more than my bike :O)

By: traviswright

traviswright — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:59:58 +0000

Great blog you’ve got here. I always enjoy reading it.
My problem is with outdoor gear. New tents, pots and pans for camping, hiking shoes, socks, and anything else that looks neat for camping trips. I normally get out without buying anything, but sometimes the inevitable happens. I had never been in a REI store until a few weeks ago, and somehow made it out without spending a penny! Keep up the good writing.

By: That One Caveman

That One Caveman — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:41:20 +0000

Gypsie,

That’s why I bought my new bike for $300 and my helmet at Target! :) I’ll stick with my stock pedals, tennis shoes, khaki shorts, and t-shirts. But, unlike you, I only put in about 28 miles in the last month due to rain (4 mile round trip on my commute).

I certainly envy your ability/availability to ride so much. I would love it if I could ride anywhere in town safely, but it’s dangerous enough in the 2 miles to work.

By: Gypsie

Gypsie — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:35:08 +0000

You havent seen the prices for cyclists yet! My bike, which I got for a steal at 40% off, was still $800. I had a helmet, til puppy ate it, $40. Add in pedals ($100), shoes ($100), shorts ($50-100 each), jerseys ($25-50each),computer ($20), tubes, tires, etc and it really really adds up. Now in just the last month I have put over 500 miles on my bike, but I also had to purchase new tires ($34 each) so I feel that i am getting my money’s worth. I also have some awesome rides planned for this summer but that is going to take travel money as well.

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:03:11 +0000

I play hockey and it’s the same thing – lots of expensive equipment. Currently most of my stuff is old but I’m going to have to upgrade (slowly I hope).

As Jim said – it is a healthy hobby. Too many people just stop playing sports once they become “adults” and their expanding waistlines are the final result.

Mike

By: jim

jim — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:10:08 +0000

At least it’s a healthy hobby and not binging on ice cream or something :)

By: PF Buzz

PF Buzz — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:36:45 +0000

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