He's out of town this week for work and went to a bike shop. I knew he was going to go looking - he talks about every year during Tour de France season. He called tonight to say he was considering buying a $2000 (US $) road bike. Apparently it was a good buy because it was on sale from $4000 and all road bikes are expensive. I freaked out and said no way was he spending that sort of money on a road bike. 1) He has a mountain bike he doesn't ride. It got tricked out in the UK to be a commuter - fenders, clip pedals (which meant clip shoes), fancy rain gear, etc. He rode it for a bit and then stopped because he hurt his leg. 2) We just moved back to the States after 3 1/2 years overseas and have been bleeding money. The credit cards will be paid off in 2 months and I want them to stay that way. 3) In October, we have to fly cross country for his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. We're splitting the cost of a hugely expensive party with his siblings. I don't begrudge spending the money on the party & flights but it will easily be $2000. 4) I'm not working and probably won't be for the foreseeable future. 5) We live in an area where bikers get killed all the time. Really. He could ride in the national park next door to us but that's about it and it's much more a mountain bike area. 6) He never showed any interest in riding with me pre-DS and I don't see him popping a rack on a bike to bring DS with him - even though I think DS would enjoy a ride.
The more I think about it, the more I realize I'm DNBU. Although perhaps I could have been more diplomatic on the phone. I also went online and browsed the Trek bikes website. They've got a starter road bike for under $700. If he's really serious, I'd consider springing for that and if he starts riding regularly then upgrading next year (come TdF time).
Please tell me I'm right and not just bitter that he's spending a week at the beach near San Diego....