>Reading all of these lists of hoarded bicycles makes me wonder what is the
>average income level of the members of this list? (a rhetorical question)
>I get the impression that we are distinctly well above middle class, with
>plenty, if not gobbs, of discretionary income to play with. No judgements
>implied here, just an observation.
I'm not sure what list you're reading, but it's not one that includes bicycle industry people. For me I've only been above the poverty for the last two years at a little under $25K a year. This is with two people and this is the reason I'm retiring from the bicycle industry. As some people have mentioned not owning a car is a real good idea and I did without for 9 years. My rule for bike stuff is never spend money on bike stuff that you didn't make selling bike stuff. I also pay VERY low prices for stuff because I look around insted of heading right for Ebay. I don't have any museum pieces, but I do have a few very prime classics that will get full restoration someday. Some people put their money in stocks but I've gotten a much better return on bike parts, though I know I may be the only person on this list to say so. I've got plenty of time to make a real living and collect all the bikes I've ever wanted. I'll try never to break my rule about money for bikes because I've met some of the best people by buying and selling stuff.
enjoy, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives another beautiful day in central coast Cali
Brandon and Mitzi's-- "Wurld uv Wunder"
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/
Monkeyman's on going bicycle part garage sale
http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nobody can do everything,
but if everybody did something
everything would get done.
-Gil Scott Heron-
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!