Roll Models
03-23-15, 11:15 AM
#26
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I commuted 18 miles each way on a fatbike (Surly Pugsley) back in 2008-09 for nearly 2 years. No one had ever seen such a thing. I quickly learned to avoid eye contact, never EVER stop near a crowd of people, and give very short answers to dumb questions about the tires. Like: "Where can I buy tires like that?" My standard answer was "Wal-Mart" while thinking to myself "Do they think these tires will fit their 1979 Peugeot?". Thankfully, WallyWorld actually sells fatbikes now. So yelling out "Wal-Mart" is as close to being a roll model as I get on that stupid bike.
03-23-15, 11:24 AM
#27
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I thought OP's use of the word "roll" instead of "role" was a clever pun. Don't ruin it for me.
FWIW the guy at the bike shop says he considers me a role model - and he says he's had at least one person that he thinks is commuting at least sometimes that mentioned seeing me. There are so few commuters around here that adding just a handful would be a big increase (but still not be really noticeable).
Personally about all I hear is people praising me but then just climbing back into their cars. People generally believe that riding more than a block or two is a feat only achievable by elite athletes or something.
FWIW the guy at the bike shop says he considers me a role model - and he says he's had at least one person that he thinks is commuting at least sometimes that mentioned seeing me. There are so few commuters around here that adding just a handful would be a big increase (but still not be really noticeable).
Personally about all I hear is people praising me but then just climbing back into their cars. People generally believe that riding more than a block or two is a feat only achievable by elite athletes or something.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
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03-23-15, 04:45 PM
#30
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As I'm getting older, more and more people who are my son's age are interested in my cycling and are asking me about it. I think they are looking at the difference between my health and that of their parents and would like to do something to avoid being a near-invalid at a young age. Then again, maybe they are just being polite to the old fart they always see on the bike.
03-24-15, 07:04 AM
#31
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As I'm getting older, more and more people who are my son's age are interested in my cycling and are asking me about it. I think they are looking at the difference between my health and that of their parents and would like to do something to avoid being a near-invalid at a young age. Then again, maybe they are just being polite to the old fart they always see on the bike.
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03-24-15, 07:31 AM
#32
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A couple of years ago I was doing a early morning Sunday ride when I came across an older man on a beater bike. He was singing quite loudly as he was peddling along a little ditty about "bicycling is the best in the world...the greatest thing for you and me..." etc. Talk about rolling advocacy. It was a bit amusing too.
03-24-15, 12:01 PM
#33
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The roadies where I live are by far pretty nice people. But they are not likely to engage in conversation unless you are doing 25-30mph or happen to catch them at Starbucks after the Giro. I can't imagine why anyone would want to engage a kitted-up roadie in conversation in the first place, but that's just me. What would I say? "Hey bro...is it Halloween already??"
03-24-15, 05:12 PM
#34
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As I'm getting older, more and more people who are my son's age are interested in my cycling and are asking me about it. I think they are looking at the difference between my health and that of their parents and would like to do something to avoid being a near-invalid at a young age. Then again, maybe they are just being polite to the old fart they always see on the bike.
Up to date smart phones are expensive and far more important than a car.
03-25-15, 09:49 AM
#35
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I had a role model....2 of them in the early days....It used to be called a parent.
I'm a good role model... I quite smoking last year and never drank coffee...Just don't look past that...
I'm a good role model... I quite smoking last year and never drank coffee...Just don't look past that...
Last edited by Booger1; 03-25-15 at 10:01 AM.
03-25-15, 11:46 AM
#36
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I am still looking for my perfect local roll model. Lots of people are my polar opposite bike style. There are people online though I can use to "emulate."
I have a goal of making all of my trips less than 5 miles happen by bike, unless I need to use my car for another reason. I am still trying to figure out the "perfect" bike for my needs. It isn't what I have now. But I still want to have a "bike lifestyle." For transportation at least. I am trying to go car-lite.
03-25-15, 01:14 PM
#37
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I had a positive experience last week where a family chatted us up on out tandem while we were waiting on the light. The driver was shocked to see a modern and sporty tandem with 10 cogs in the rear. We had just plowed up a hill and despite my panting and heart rate being somewhere in the 180's, I was still able to get a few answers out about the bike. It was refreshing to talk to a smiling driver about a bicycle as my usual experience on solo bikes are people pulling within 2 feet of me and pacing me while asking for directions.
04-05-15, 12:04 AM
#38
Senior Member
Just for the record, the Pillsbury dough boy inventor passed away this week.
Cheers,
David in Alaska
Cheers,
David in Alaska
04-08-15, 11:14 AM
#39
Senior Member
I guess I just have Yehuda Moon for a roll model. A cartoon character. I'm sure I could do worse.
04-08-15, 12:22 PM
#40
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I am apparently a role model for some. I ride both a recumbent bike and a trike. I wear plain t-shirts and rugby shorts, which are basically sweat pants. Because of how I dress and what I ride many people want me to stop and talk to them especially about the trike. While many may want to talk about the trike, I think is is the fact that I seem to be dressed more or less like a normal person rather than a fully kitted roadie that makes me approachable. I have been stopped so many times, I have taken to carrying the business card for the local recumbent shop.
So yes, I think I am a role model for some people that would like to get into biking for fun and exercise.
So yes, I think I am a role model for some people that would like to get into biking for fun and exercise.
Since I am always both a cyclist and a prop on a bike I seem to ahve less problems than most cyclists with cars.
