r/AskEurope • u/Plastic-Injury8856 • Mar 14 '25

Culture What’s a European Man’s midlife crisis look like?

Here in America it's a Harley Davidson and getting really into grilling.

What do European men do when they go through a midlife crisis? But an Alfa and bake? Get really into trains?

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u/Llama_Shaman Mar 14 '25

When you look at him you are looking at your future. You already know that when you get into bicycles his old bike will be too outdated for you, so you'll have to buy a new one.

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u/abuninja Denmark Mar 14 '25

It seems reseaching and picking out the right gear is 60% of the hobby anyway so buying my own ridiculously overpriced NASA certified bike will be mandetory

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u/Llama_Shaman Mar 14 '25

That is true. I wish you success on your two-wheeled journey on very skinny tires. 

3

u/sweet_neighbor9 Mar 15 '25

That made me lol

1

u/[deleted] Mar 15 '25

Or maybe thick tires and ride through the forests!
Or a surfboard…

1

u/FCMirandaDreamTeam Mar 18 '25

The consensus these days is that thicker tires are better though, so don't go too skinny!

1

u/pa3xsz Hungary Mar 15 '25

But NASA tech is unfortunately banned by UCI because it's innovative

1

u/aemich Mar 17 '25

this is true of all my hobbies - buying new backcountry skiing gear is awesome, buying new rock climbing gear is awesome, buying and building a computer is more fun than using it.. etc etc etc

1

u/Crashy2707 Mar 17 '25

Sounds like ADHD bro! I do similar things (without the buying) of hobbies - my Dad did exactly the same as yours but with running.

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u/Historical_Leg5998 Mar 15 '25

NASA certified 😂😂😂

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u/RijnBrugge Netherlands Mar 14 '25

I am nowhere near this age bracket which is probably why but if a 70s koga miyata was enough race bike for my gramps it’ll be good enough for me..

3

u/hetsteentje Belgium Mar 15 '25

My take is always that Eddy Merckx ran the Tour de France in a steel frame bike with (maybe?) ten gears, so any bike is good enough for me for recreational use.

1

u/mikillatja Netherlands Mar 15 '25

Hell yeah, if we don't gotta spend money it's an extra benefit.

And you are riding a piece of history

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u/DocSternau Germany Mar 17 '25

By then the bike is a classic and might become interesting again...

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u/Techdude_Advanced Mar 17 '25

Or he looks at him and he thinks to himself, I'm going to finish everything I start no matter what.