General Cycling Discussion - The office cycling guru

Since I'm the only person in my office who commutes to work almost everyday, I have become the cycling guru. There are several guys in my office who are interested in cycling, but so far I'm the only one doing it on a daily basis. Everytime there is an article in the local newspaper about cycling, it is brought to my attention by someone in the office. This week I've received the Spring Performance Bicycle Catalog and a Bicycle Magazine (which I wouldn't spend the money on myself). The guy who brought the BICYCLE magazine couldn't believe that there are bikes that sell for 1 to 3 thousand dollars, and said, "heck, I can get a really good bike at Wal-Mart!" :rolleyes:

Something in the BICYCLE magazine that I found really strange: In this months issue there are at least 3 full page ads for CARS! Isn't that silly? I think it would be the same as having an ad for the new Zondervan Bible with Greek and Hebrew text and an exhaustive concordance in the latest issue of PLAYBOY, or perhaps a Dairy Queen ad with coupons attached in an issue of WEIGHT WATCHERS magazine. I'm sure the publishers of BICYCLE magazine were just trying to pay a few extra bills this month. ;)

Have you ever tried to explain how a body geometry saddle works and the reason for the design to a non-cyclist? The guys in my office refer to my Serfas saddle as "the butt wistle." Well, as the cycling guru, I may not be winning converts, but at least I have everyone talking & thinking about cycling.

How many other "gurus" are there in this forum? Please post some funny stories about getting to explain the joys of cycling to non-cyclists.

I don't know if it's funny or not, but try explaining why you need more than one bike to your wife or SO!
:rolleyes:

Originally posted by A F Baker
Have you ever tried to explain how a body geometry saddle works and the reason for the design to a non-cyclist? The guys in my office refer to my Serfas saddle as "the butt wistle." Well, as the cycling guru, I may not be winning converts, but at least I have everyone talking & thinking about cycling.
A.F., somehow I feel your pain!

It seems like, for me, there was a stage by stage transition in my quest for "office cycling guru" status. As your "butt whistle friend" reveals, there is an intermediate stage called, "office cycling clown." If you can survive that
trial-by-fire, it seems the good old American fascination for the Lone Ranger, Batman and other such one-of-a-kind
mavericks takes over and propells you into celebrity status. Just the fact that what you do is different somehow earns you that respect. But remember, if you fold during the initial stages as "office cycling clown," you will never live it down! :cry: But seriously, A.F., we're not trying to impress anyone anyway, or we would have quit right away! ;)

More and more, people are abandoning their rude comments to me and are commenting on my healthy looks and physique. It's even better than saying, "I told you so!"

Ken Kifer (see his website) told a funny story. He was touring by bicycle and stopped by a stream (or lake) to freshen up a bit. Two campers there watched him for a moment, then one commented, "If I was your age, I think I'd try cycling, too." Ken asked, "How old are you?" to which the man replied, "42." "Oh, really? I'm 53," said Ken.

Try explaining why we shave our legs to a non-cyclist.

I was in the same position at the office where I worked till I retired (early) Dec. 1999.

I always enjoyed the kidding as well as the many sincere inquiries about cycling--and there were a lot of those. Not only co-workers, but visitors to the office (messengers, clients) seemed genuinely interested to learn something about cycling as transportation. I just told them the truth about my experience: flat tires, brushes with death :), feeling so good after a ride, difference between riding the road bike and the MTB (I might have one or the other parked by my desk on a given day), etc.

I know I got one air-freight messenger and one fellow employee enthusiastic about cycling, though I don't know how long the enthusiasm lasted. Others continued to shake their heads, but with increased respect. I think it all adds up.

Originally posted by Little5_Fan
Try explaining why we shave our legs to a non-cyclist.

It's because every little bit of weight counts!

Yep, I'm the office bikegeek guru/clown. Just had co-worker ask me what he should do if his "crack was loose".
First, go to bike parked in spare cubicell and show him what a clean, well adjusted bottom bracket looks like. He says, "Oh, mine's much bigger" So I describe how to tighten a one-piece, free bearing ball crankset.

I think if he just takes the time to look at it it will be clear to him. He has rebuilt several (car) engines. I'm just afraid he'll try to do it with air tools.

Originally posted by Ba-Dg-Er
...he said he would go to a "real bike shop" this weekend. We'll see how that went tomorrow.

Could you go along with him to a bike shop? It might make all the difference between confused frustration and the birth of enthusiasm....

Servus!

I guess that I now fall in this category. In the last two days, my boss sent a new colleague from the States to my desk to ask advice on what kind of bike she should get for riding around the city and the Departmental Head comes by with his Campy Record rear hub with a ball of rust where the bearings were and asked what he should do about it!

At the last department meeting, the Boss mentioned that he wanted to do another bike tour in June and EVERYONE (about 75 people) in the meeting looked right at me! Now I spend my evenings lately reviewing maps and calling DeutscheBahn asking if I can get a group transport rate discount for bikes on the train.

I looked in my cabinet and found that I have more cycling manuals and magazines than I have training manuals. That's pretty sad...

It's great if someone doesn't mind taking on the task of being the local bike guru.

Where I work, the fellow who holds that distinction managed to get several of us (myself included) who were already basic fitness freaks into biking more seriously. I guess he was preaching to the converted, but in one summer four new, or new to their owners, bikes appeared. One of the guys is now fairly seriously into MTB racing, I'm doing a lot more commuting plus road/fitness riding and there's a bit of competitiveness in the air to see who can put on the kilometers.

Our guru has been a big help in the selection of bikes, repairs and anything else connected with the sport. It' great to have someone like that around as a resource.

Oh man I get asked sooooo many questions about cycling every day at work! literally tons of them....oh but wait ...whoops I forgot !!!! I work in a bike shop!! D'oh sorry guy's (lol)........

YAAAA!

U!

:cool:

I'm no bike guru, but people ask me about my bike, and how far my ride to work is, and such. I think there is one other person riding to work, but I just noticed their bike last week, and I haven't tracked them down yet. :D I will though!

My co-workers do ask me about biking stuff, like what kinda bike to get, and where to get it. My friend asked me today what type of bike should his wife should get, since she wants one, too. I pointed out that they should try their LBS, since they could get some pointers on other stuff while they're there, and get a good quality bike, that's assembled properly. They're going shopping tomorrow, so hopefully she'll find a bike that suits her needs.

You guys and ladies make me so envious. I wish I could ride my bike to work.

Unfortunately, there are no back roads for me to take into San Francisco. I live about 25 miles from work and the only way for me to get into the city is on a major highway.
If there were back roads or even a bike path I would be riding to work and putting in my .02 cents in the commuting forum.

The optometrist where I work is a cyclist too. Me and him hide-out in the back office, talk bikes,shop for stuff online, and try out different kinds of power food. My job is the bomb.

Originally posted by Joe Pozer
Unfortunately, there are no back roads for me to take into San Francisco. I live about 25 miles from work...
Pozer, man. There are NO PARAMETERS and NO BOUNDARIES (sorry for shouting) for cycle-commuting.
Just find a cheap parking place 5 or 10 miles out of town and ride the rest of the way in.

:beer:

Just remember, cycling in traffic is very different than cycling on dirt. But it's similar to driving a car.