Commuting - Dazed and Confused

No, I am not referring to Mike and Pete. I was dazed and confused a while ago replying to "I see dead people" over in Open Discussion (they let ANYbody in that forum) and thought I was right here at home in Commuting.
I've been thinking about it. You know that thread "Tired of being called crazy"? Maybe we are. I mean just look at us! :D Look, you go over to Racing and they're all, like, "Lance...", "Marco...", "Zabel...", you know, serious stuff. And the Bicycle Mechanics are all, like, "Chainrings...", "Worn cogs...", "Brake problems..." Again, serious stuff. And don't even get me started on Training and Nutrition. Heeeyyyy! Wait a minute. I think we have a mole. Who was it that started that "Cookie Dough Diet" thread?
Anyway, as I say, look at us! Green slurpees. Hey, Mike, did it ever occur to you that some poor little kid may have run into the bushes to pee and was really upset when he go back and the giant slurpee he had saved up for all week was gone?
Maybe there is just something not right with people who get up early in the morning and ride a BICYCLE to work. Maybe you do have to be "full-tilt bozo" to turn around and ride a BICYCLE home in traffic, getting all sweaty and icky. Eeewww! Maybe, but I'll tell you what, I am honored to be among you!
Your friend,
Raymond

Mr. Rainman,

I really must protest. You leave me little choice but to respond to this "rant", with guns blazing!


Originally posted by RainmanP
"No, I am not referring to Mike and Pete. I was dazed and confused a while ago replying to "I see dead people" over in Open Discussion (they let ANYbody in that forum) and thought I was right here at home in Commuting."

What do you mean by, ANYbody? Like you are not one of US!


"I've been thinking about it. You know that thread "Tired of being called crazy"? Maybe we are. I mean just look at us!" :D

And WHO do you think was behind that rant (thread)?
Mike, that's who!


"Look, you go over to Racing and they're all like,
"Lance...", "Marco...", "Zabel...", you know, serious stuff."

Ooooooo, "serious!"


"And the Bicycle Mechanics are all, like, "Chainrings...", "Worn cogs...", "Brake problems..." Again, serious stuff."

Ooooooo! Like we're not?


"And don't even get me started on Training and Nutrition. Heeeyyyy! Wait a minute. I think we have a mole. Who was it that started that "Cookie Dough Diet" thread?"

Mike! (Who else?)


"Anyway, as I say, look at us! Green slurpees. Hey, Mike, did it ever occur to you that some poor little kid may have run into the bushes to pee and was really upset when he go back and the giant slurpee he had saved up for all week was gone?" :mad:

Mike, Mike, Mike...


"Maybe there is just something not right with people who get up early in the morning and ride a BICYCLE to work in the "Snowy Midwest". Maybe you do have to be "full-tilt bozo" to turn around and ride a BICYCLE home in traffic, getting all sweaty and icky, wearing a tie. Eeewww!"

Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike...


"Maybe, but I'll tell you what, I am honored to be among you!"

Well that's O.K., then! :)


"Your friend,
Raymond"

O.K., Raymond, I apologize... ;)

This tape will self destruct in five seconds...

ROFLOL

Pete, you got it, man! :beer:

Joe, what does ROFLOL mean? And where is Highland, Utah. I guess you get in some mountain riding.

Hey, commuters..., SSSHHHHHH, I think the people over in Road Biking, and especially Racing, think we are wierd. NO, NO, DON'T LOOK NOW; they will see you. Next thing you know they will be lumping us in with the Mountain Bikers!

I discovered cycling on Outdoor Life Network last night. I didn't realize there was any coverage. Watched the Tour of Lankawi and Het Volk highlights. I didn't recognize any names. I don't watch that kind of stuff to actually see the results but to watch technique and stuff. It was interesting to see two guys climbing side by side, one pushing a big gear at low rpm, the other spinning a smaller gear.

OK, I'll stop wandering around. 'Bye.

Rolling On the Floor Laughing Out Loud.

Highland is 15 miles south of Salt Lake City, 3hrs (by car) N-E of moab. Its actualy a great place to bike, lots of open roads for the roadies, and half a dozen year round ski resorts within 45min for great mtn biking. I live just 10 minutes from the Alpine Loop, this is a 24mile loop that gains around 4,500' in elevation, if your ever in utah, you need to ride the loop, its a hard ride, but the views are amazing! If your not into road riding, theres over 100 miles of amazing single track on the loop also. (This will bring all the roadies and mountain bikers to this thread...)

http://www.madsci.com/madsci/pics/B-DEER4.jpg
(Not my bike)

http://www.galton.com/utah%20county/Resources/Alpine%20Loop.jpg

Is OLN going to cover the TDF this year? I guess its time to upgrade the TV service so i get that chan, i love watching cycling.

Originally posted by RainmanP
Hey, commuters..., SSSHHHHHH, I think the people over in Road Biking, and especially Racing, think we are wierd. NO, NO, DON'T LOOK NOW; they will see you. Next thing you know they will be lumping us in with the Mountain Bikers!

Mr, Rainman,

Thank you for bringing this up. Please allow me to comment...

Maybe "road cyclists" (especially racing cyclists) are afraid to identify with us "utility cyclists". After all, I have seen some strange things among us (shall I say,
"unusual"), such as guys toting things on their bikes like rakes and stuff, or wearing construction helmets.

But let's face it, at least they were going somewhere and doing something! Where does a "road cyclist" (I'm not sure what that means) actually go? If he doesn't arrive on time, what is he late for? At least the guy carrying the rake had a job to do when he got there.

And clothes. Seems "road cyclists" have the coolest, most efficiently designed clothing for cycling in, costing much more than street clothes. Then there are gadgets (heart monitors, computers that measure everything but ambient temperature), technique, training schedules, cross-training, and so on, all of which have application for utility cyclists, more or less. But the question remains: with all these aids, where is the
"road cyclist" going?

That being said, in all fairness, there is no need to rush to judgement. After all, most cyclists have a common fault: the need to cycle for any excuse. So there you have it. The truth laid bare.

So let's utility cyclists be tolerant of those multi-colored cyclists, flocking like tropical birds with no apparent destination and no need or desire to explain
their activity. Let's just wink, and leave them to their
fun. :cool:

Right on again, Pete! When does commuting stop and road riding start? Sometimes I'll ride to work in the morning, and take the extra long way home at night (or the reverse), to get in a few more k's, and/or just for the fun of it. That's the thing about cycling - anywhere, anytime, anyplace - for any reason.

Pete,
Your post just above gave me a real cool smile thanks!

See, I knew I was in the right place! Thanks, Joe, for the explanation and info on Utah. You have me drooling to visit!.

Utility cyclist. That would be me. Fenders, headlight, blinkies, rack, panniers, horn, reflective vest. Whatever it takes to make the trip as safe and comfortable as possible.

On the other hand, I have to admit that I think there is a road cyclist somewhere inside, bursting to get out. Unfortunately, he is buried under about 50-60 extra pounds and hampered by maginally conditioned legs. I will find him though, and when I do I am going to buy him a nice road bike and not put anything more utilitarian than computer, bottle cages, and seat bag for tire repair stuff.

One of these days, sigh.

Joe,
I forgot to include in my reply that yes, OLN is covering TDF 7/7-29. Live coverage daily with replay later in the day. Yesterday they were also advertising live coverage of Paris-Roubaix, this coming Sunday, April 15, 10:00 AM Eastern, with a replay late in the evening. You are Mountain, right? So 8AM.
Raymond

as someone who is both a road cyclist who "goes nowhere" and a regular commuter, let me just say that i learned i was core* from the commuting - not the other way around.

-jb

* you know you're core when you don't even think about the rain ruining your ride... or when it's raining like the dickens but can't convince yourself to take the car instead... :)

p.s. oh yeah, going nowhere is also very fun...

Junebride, maybe "Going nowhere can be fun." can be your signature, like Technogirl's "Hard work..."
Yeah, some day when I am slim and trim I think I might like to dabble in racing. Then I guess my commutes will be "training rides", right? Or will my training rides be commutes?

This Friday it will rain, they say. Now that it's getting hot, looks like that may be my best
day to ride! :thumbup: