I think motorists are jealous!

[mrselfdestruct]

Its the oddest thing, i can bend the road rules chop change skip and ride like a maniac in and around traffic and not one motorist does a damned thing, but if im peddling away happy as larry just cruising some ****ers just have to give me the business! i think its simply cause people hate being stuck in cars and that bikes are a better way of getting round in these dense concrete jungles of ours. anyone have similar experiences or am i the only one jerk magnet?

[Kyle90]

Yup, I always get trouble when I'm just riding around, minding my own buisness. If I'm dodging traffic and opening car doors down Main St. though, someone will always piss and moan.

[Bikepacker67]

I think motorists are jealous!


I can't speak for the motorists.
But the lil' tykes, strapped into their car seats sure look fascinated as they see me keeping up with Mom in traffic.

I always get a smile.

[mpop]

I think you might be right motorists are jealous. We are having more fun, we probably will live longer (assuming we don't get hit by a car), what I mean is we probably will not die of a hart attack, or other diseases caused by obesity. Plus last year when I still owned a car and drove it, I would get angry at times stuck in traffic, and would just think to my self, if I was on my bike I would be there by now, this was because I live, work, and play in the city and during rush hour I can get any where in the city fast on my bike then in a car.

[Bikepacker67]

It's all about endorphins.

On my bike, a traffic stop is an opportunity to stretch, polish off half a water bottle, check the cycle comp (wow... Max speed 43? That WAS a big hill) and take stock in the fact that life is pretty neat.

In a car, I'm bored sitting in my recliner, while the video game is on pause.

[Dchiefransom]

It's all about endorphins.

On my bike, a traffic stop is an opportunity to stretch, polish off half a water bottle, check the cycle comp (wow... Max speed 43? That WAS a big hill) and take stock in the fact that life is pretty neat.

In a car, I'm bored sitting in my recliner, while the video game is on pause.

Admit it, you also flex your quads for "Mom in traffic".

[Bikepacker67]

Admit it, you also flex your quads for "Mom in traffic".

Actually, it's my calves :)

Over a decade in the gym and I NEVER got close to that sharply defined "horseshoe", but 15k miles over the last 4 years, has made them truly flex worthy!

[cedo]

I also believe there is an [unconscious?] jealousy factor. The other day, I ws riding up a steep hill, passing a lot of cars that were caught in traffic. One driver, clearly overweight, turns to his two buddies and says loudly, "I hate bikers." Why? Because he's caught in traffic and I wasn't? Because he can't pedal up a hill? I was tempted to say to him, "My four-year-old says, "Hate is a bad word."" But I was long gone.

[oboeguy]

Gotta agree with all of you. Especially the flexing for "moms" in traffic (not that I do it with my big hairy legs but I know y'all do). :)

[spider-man]

I have a lot of difficulty just riding in a car. It makes me very frustrated and tense. I really hate to do it, and I'm normally a very even-tempered person.

[filtersweep]

NO WAY is it about jealousy... it has been consistantly in the 90s around here- and you cannot tell me an air conditioned driver is jealous of a sweaty/stinky cyclist.

When I commute, I'd guess drivers assume I'm a carless bum... that there is no way I'd ever CHOOSE to commute by bike.

We are regarded as masochists- if we are perceived to have any choice in the matter.

Definitely, few, if any, are jealous.

[Roody]

I agree that many motorists envy our freedom, health and self-reliance, even if they also think we're crazy. Deep down most of them know they are stuck in a cage looking out at us free birds.

Oboeguy--ever think about shaving those hairy legs? :D

[chemcycle]

i think its simply cause people hate being stuck in cars and that bikes are a better way of getting round in these dense concrete jungles of ours

Whatever makes you sleep at night. I really don't think it's jealousy.

Maybe they're just jerks who want to get home NOW!!

[oboeguy]

I agree that many motorists envy our freedom, health and self-reliance, even if they also think we're crazy. Deep down most of them know they are stuck in a cage looking out at us free birds.


Word.


Oboeguy--ever think about shaving those hairy legs? :D

Actually, yes (especially with this strange new desire in me to flex for moms... ;) I keed, I keed!). The blades scare the heck out of me, though. Yeah, I go electric with the face. :) The couple of times I had no choice but to go blade I could barely do it I was so freaked out.

[John E]

I detest driving in heavy traffic, I hate squandering natural resources to move 20 times my weight, and I hate paying for depreciation, repairs, petrol, and insurance. I like my car and I am not ready to return to a car-free lifestyle, but I am very glad to have my frequently-exercised (so to speak) options of jogging and cycling.

[Bikepacker67]

We are regarded as masochists

The brain only releases endorphins through effort or consumption.

[CB HI]

It is jealousy.

My wife repeatedly complains to me about my cycling, but I have overheard her bragging to other wives “My husband rides his bicycle to work, all the way into town and back.”

I guess the spouses (male and female) of some cyclist really do speak out of both sides of the mouth.

[lilHinault]

Someone needs to come up with a bumper sticker that says something like, "in a car no one can see your spandex shorts" or something like that lol.

And yes, little kids DIG on bikers keeping up/passing Daddy's/Mommy's car hehe.