Cycling stores make money because everyone who rides has some degree of bike lust. When I bought my first bike, I spent $2000 and thought I had just made the most insane impulse buy in my entire life. I can say that because I have yet to purchase a car in my 31 years; the one I'm driving now has been with me since 1997 when it was bestowed to me as a college graduation present. It won't be long before my bike is worth more than my car.

Everyone else who rides thinks that $2K is a pittance; I see lots of $3K-$5K machines out there on my group rides. It's a lot to spend on a hobby (and the incidentals add up to something quite significant; consider that a 4.5 lb canister of Endurox runs around $40), but I enjoy it so much and have met so many nice people that the investment has been worthwhile.

My first road bike is a Specialized Dolce Comp, an aluminum frame designed for women with a narrower handlebar width, smaller grips and a compact double crank. It has some upgrades like carbon fork, carbon seat post, Dura-Ace rear derailleur and Ultegra components. I think the bike probably weighs around 19.5 lbs without drink bottles and aerobars. Anyhow, I'd love to get a bike that weighs 17 lbs or less. I'm thinking at this point that I am going to get a new bike this coming winter after I have ridden mine for two seasons.

But also, I want to get Lasik surgery next year. I'm just tired of having to deal with eyeglasses and contact lenses; it's a pain. I can expense that in a medical tax saver account.

New bike, new eyes: big bucks.

I have been eyeing what other people ride, since I have bike lust, and I like the Scott and Orbea frames. This Orbea site excites me to no end. You can build your bike from the frame up and select your own components. As you add components, the display shows you the total weight of your bike.

Very, very cool.