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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

179.0. "New club" by BANZAI::FISHER () Mon Nov 24 1986 05:30

From Western Wheelers club newsletter, Menlo Park Calif and
Bicycle USA

Patterned on the highly successful Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers
Anonymous , the formation of Bicycle Buyers Anonymous (BBA) was recently
announced.  Whenever a member feels the urge to buy another bicycle, he
calls a fellow member who reasons with him until the mood has passed or all
of the bicycle shops have closed. 

Much of the impetus for the formation of this organization came from a
sister organization,  Spouses of Bicycle Buyers (SOBBS).  Their files are
filled with harrowing stories--of houses that have gone carpetless as the
basements filled up with bicycles, of shoe racks devoid of normal footwear
while others in the same bedroom overflow with Detto Pietros and Bata
Bikers, of refrigerators filled with ERG and Gorp and no milk for starving
children.  "My husband needs another bicycle like he needs a hole in the
head--and believe me that's what he's going to get."  He made me sew ride
patches on all his underwear."  "He took a Reynolds sticker to the red
light district and I can't tell you where he had '531 double butted'
tattooed."

The first organizational meeting of the BBA was held on a recent Thursday 
evening in a local restaurant.  The meeting was well-attended but adjourned 
at 8:30.  The next meeting will be held as soon as the members get their 
new bikes assembled.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
179.1ConfessMCIS2::DELORIEAWork starts Jan 8thThu Dec 28 1989 13:4316
I was looking back through some old notes that I never had time to read and
came across 179.0. I think I will starting up a group soon, right Mark.

Hi my name is Tom, and I'm a compulsive component buyer. I started with Shimano
and before I new it, I was into C-record... I realized I had a problem when my
wife found my NASHBAR catalog under my pillow and threw it away. I went though
withdrawal all night till I got to the office the next day and took a back
issue catalog out of my file cabinet. Wheelsets, headsets, brakesets you name
it I was into them... I went cold turkey. I threw out all my catalogs, cut up
my Nashbar Card and even stop buying those bike mag's that started me into my
habit. I know it won't be easy but I'm gonna do it. - Tom

How about you...
179.2we're pullin for yaCLYPPR::FISHERPat PendingThu Dec 28 1989 14:423
    Hang in there, Tom, you can do it.
    
    ed
179.3What problem?ASIC::NBLIAMPTISbut if you try sometimes...Fri Dec 29 1989 13:292
    	Problem?  What Problem?  I can stop buying bike stuff any time I
    want.
179.4 I'm still spending ... on 2 sports now! USMRM5::MREIDFri Dec 29 1989 15:2332
    Tom,
    
    I'm still not convinced that I should join ... why stop?
    
    I'm trying everything I can to help my girlfriend understand my
    compulsive passion for buying bicycle toys. 
    
    My latest tactic was to 'sponsor' her in her hobby - dancing 
    (ballet, toe, jazz, tap). ANYTHING she wants relating to dancing - 
    it's hers. New shoes - fine. Dancing clothes - no problem. A sewing 
    machine to alter costumes and sew toe/ballet shoes - stretching it
    a bit, but I went for it. Dance classes - paid for. See my strategy? 
    
    "What do you mean I don't need a third pair of biking shoes ... you
     have 4 pair of toe shoes!"
   
     "You understand that I need another biking shirt ... after all,
      you've got ten dancing outfits!"
    
     "But honey, I NEED this $120 aero helmet since it's going to save
      five seconds over 25 miles. OK I admit it, I don't need it, but
      I just WANT it. You understand, right? Just like you WANTED those
      tickets to the Ballet in Boston ... and it cost less than your
      sewing machine"
    
    See, if I can keep her feeling guilty, as well as feeling some passion
    for buying things in her hobby - I'll be all set! She'll understand!
                                                                   
    I wonder if it would still work if I were married ??? Hmmmm, good
    thing she's young...!
    
    Mark
179.5I don't have a problemBALMER::MUDGETTdid you say FREE food?Fri Dec 29 1989 18:3414
    
    I also am not adicted to buying bike things. What, the $120.00 that
    I spent at NASHBAR last week? Well of course I needed the extra
    tubes and tires that I picked up there who else makes tubes as good?
    Or the bike pump? I only have 3 of them but this one was much better.
    And that was the first trip! I ate lunch with my daughter at Wendys
    so I could remember any small things I might have missed the first
    time. Well on the second pass it was only $35.00 the most memorable
    thing was a shop apron. $150.00 and all I really needed was a
    freewheel.
    
    I don't have a problem its everyone else who doesn't understand.
    
    Fred Mudgett
179.6Components are Methadone -- Bikes are CrackCESARE::JOHNSONMatt Johnson, DTN 871-7473Tue Jan 02 1990 18:205
    Most of you have only just begun to taste the addiction.  The
    serious cases (like Ed :~) who made this organization possible 
    don't mess around with components -- they buy whole bikes!  
    
    MATT
179.7What was that emergency number?BANZAI::FISHERPat PendingWed Jan 03 1990 08:445
    Thanks, Matt.  It feels good to be recognized.
    
    I didn't buy a bike in 1989, I'm cured!!!!
    
    ed
179.8SVCRUS::CRANEWed Jan 03 1990 09:316
    
       Its not really a PROBLEM until you have to sell the house or
    your first born (depending on market value)
    
       JOhn C.