I have decided I want a new mountain bike. Getting ready for this race has been fun, but I am training on a beginners mountain bike. While on a casual ride, this is not an issue I just know I could perform better on a better bike.

When I started to ride in 1991, I had a low-end bike. I moved up a step with my second bike. My third bike was then a top-of-the-line bike. My Supercaliber. That bike was awesome. I rode that bike until my friends stopped riding. I then stopped riding as well. There is a whole host of reasons I stopped riding, but it was due mainly to getting married, having a child, playing rugby, etc. Really, I just filled my time with other things. I bought my current Trek 4500 at the same time I bought my road bike, our doodlebug, and my wife's bike. This was all well and good as we just rode on rails to trails and we did this very little. I started to ride my road bike more and I enjoy it. I like riding a mountain bike too.

This brings me to my current dilemma. I would like a new mountain bike. I don't need a new one, my current one works. I feel kind of bad looking at a new bike when I have other debts to pay. I also worry if I will get the kind of use that would be warranted from a new bike. If I ride next summer like I did this summer (I won't be on Council, so I will have more time) I could see buying a new bike.

Here is what I am going to do though. I am going to put $50.00 per pay in an envelope and by July 2010, I will have $1,200. If I still want a new bike, I will buy it. If not, I will just pay some debt.