Gearing Up

Last weekend I needed to put some air in my tires, and I realized that the pump I have--the pump that's successfully inflated my bike and car tires for years now--doesn't work for fancy road bikes. The valves are different sizes. So I had to ask somebody else if I could use their pump, which was kind of embarrassing because here I was about to ride out into the middle of nowhere and I didn't even have the most basic, common-sense tools.

Turns out, you need all kinds of specialized junk to be ready for distance cycling. You've gotta have cycling shorts (or your butt gets sore). You've gotta have gloves (or your hands get sore). You've gotta have extra tubes, a patch kit, a pump, a helmet, special pedals, cycling shoes. How about a cycling computer? Jersey? CamelBak? Toe covers? Roof rack? It can add up fast.

Thankfully, what would have been my biggest single expense--the bike itself--was handed down to me by my teammate/friend/boss (thanks Jim!). But with some necessary bike repairs and base-level gear, I've still managed to sink a decent amount of money into this endeavor. And I'm still not completely geared up (I need shoes, a small toolkit, some extra tubes and a second pair of shorts before I'm at a decent level of preparedness).

Don't get me wrong--I'm not complaining about having to buy this stuff. I've actually had fun browsing though so much new gear. I guess I just didn't expect it to cost quite this much. I figured I'd just hop on the bike, and ride.