General Cycling Discussion - Holding my peace

On an elevator, a friend and I were ascending to the bridge level where we could cross over to Peachtree Center Mall, floor seven. Floor nine is the home of the Peachtree Center Athletic Club. A lady rode up with us.

My friend and I were talking when we suddenly noticed the elevator pop open on 7. "Oh, is this where we get off?"

"Unless you're going to work out," the lady chimed in, apparently headed for a workout herself.

I just stepped off. My friend does not exercise, so I didn't say anything.

But I wanted to say, "I get in 6 to 9 hours of aerobic exercise each week and I don't even go to the gym. How many do you get?"

:eek:

Good thing I didn't say that! :rolleyes:

(I'm a bad boy...)

Originally posted by Pete Clark
But I wanted to say, "I get in 6 to 9 hours of aerobic exercise each week and I don't even go to the gym. How many do you get?"

Good thing I didn't say that!

What would have been so wrong with saying that? I thought enlightenment was the key to a better life. I could be wrong about that, of course.

Is is possible that what she was trying to say was, I'm proud of what I'm doing and want to share it with everybody. I'm going to do an hour of (insert gym activity here) and I feel great!

Just a few topics ago the discussion was around people who don't exercise. What now? People who go to the gym but that's not real exercise compared to riding a bike?

Why would you want to reply with such a condescending retort?
"I get in 6 to 9 hours of aerobic exercise each week and I don't even go to the gym. How many do you get?" to such a seemingly harmless statement:
"Unless you're going to work out," the lady chimed in, apparently headed for a workout herself.

If it had been me and I had an overwhelming urge to point out to the lady that she isn't the only one on the planet who exercises, I probably would have said something like, "enjoy your workout! I got mine in this morning!"

Of course hearing you say that makes me assume you are a skinny little aerobic kid. Some people love weights and being big. Me, I would NEVER sacrifice my size and muscle for anything. I love being strong and massive. I do both, riding a lot (10 to 15 hours with about 100k a week of technical mountain biking) and I hit the weights hard. :)

Never assume anything by a harmless statement.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Of course hearing you say that makes me assume you are a skinny little aerobic kid. Some people love weights and being big.
If you are refering to Pete, he is by no means a 'kid'. He may feel like a kid and he may even tell you he is a kid, but we all know he is a real life cycle-commuting warrior. Me on the other hand, I am a skinny little aerobic kid, but I would take that as a compliment.

I was going to second guess myself as most people on this board have been riding for year. I just didn't feel like hitting the edit button :)

I guess y'all had to be there.

Anyone not going to the ninth floor is obviously not going to work out.

Perhaps this kind lady could have told us, "Yes, I believe 7 is the proper floor. Have a nice day, guys!"

A smile also goes a long way.

My 49 year-old buddy never works out. I'm sure he sometimes regrets that.

I'm almost his age, and probably work out more than most who go to that club. But I am always sensitive to my friend when it comes to talking about how much I work out.

He knows how much I work out anyway, since he sees me arrive at work on my bike from 14 miles away. Nothing more needs to be said.

What was she doing on the elvevator in the first place; too good to take the stairs, eh? Seven flights isn't a bad little warmup.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
On an elevator, a friend and I were ascending to the bridge level where we could cross over to Peachtree Center Mall, floor seven. Floor nine is the home of the Peachtree Center Athletic Club. A lady rode up with us.

My friend and I were talking when we suddenly noticed the elevator pop open on 7. "Oh, is this where we get off?"

"Unless you're going to work out," the lady chimed in, apparently headed for a workout herself.
Was she bragging or putting either of you down?
I suppose there is also an 8th floor. How did she know you weren't going there?

You shoulda let her have it, Pete! ;)

Originally posted by Steele-Bike

If you are refering to Pete, he is by no means a 'kid'. He may feel like a kid and he may even tell you he is a kid, but we all know he is a real life cycle-commuting warrior. Me on the other hand, I am a skinny little aerobic kid, but I would take that as a compliment.

I am a skinny cycle- commuting kid as well:beer:

I wish I were a skinny, cycle-commuting kid 25 years ago.