Dipali,
I am glad to see your enthusiasm towards cycling. I know it is quite popular in European countries and in Australia. It is becoming popular in the States, but football and basketball take precedence. Once you are into it, (cycling), you really get to appreciate the pain and suffereing these men and women tolerate. It is like a chess board on the road, on a bicycle. With the expenses of cycling, I can see why not many people try it. I have already paid a small fortune for my son this year.
1. Repairs to bicycle, tires, tubes. $250
2. Clothing-$300/year
3. New cycle shoes and pedals-$400+
4. License and team registration fee-$90
5. Gas to races-$60 per trip, give or take
6. Hotel expenses for stage races where we need to spend the night.
7. Food-cyclists are bottomless pits because of all the calories they burn. Not to mention fresh fruit and gatorade.
8. Registration fees for each race, approximately $35+, that is per one race. Some of the races are 4 day stage races which would maybe that price about $150.
It is getting to be quite an expensive hobby, but I see so much potential and positive energy in both my son and husband, that I can't say no. I guess it could be comparative to belly dancing in the respect that we pay for classes, private lessons, costumes, makeup etc...Maybe no sport or hobby is without expenses, so I should not complain.
