I'm riding along on my bent, coming home from work. Pull up to a red light and hear, "Sir? Sir? How much did that bike cost? Is it comfortable? Where can I get one? Is it hard to ride? How do you steer it? Is that one of those handicapped bikes?"
The "handicapped bike" comment made me chuckle, but when I saw a confused expression developing on his face, I stopped laughing and nodded, "Oh, yeah, you mean like a handcycle," and made a spinning motion with my hands. Now we were on the same page.
Or I see people on the sidewalk just staring as I go by. I've gotten to where I notice them staring, but I don't look at them because I'm afraid they'll ask more questions...
It used to be neat being the center of attention, but now I want to crawl back into the woodwork!
But it has it's positive points. One lady yesterday afternoon rolled down her window, and after the usual questions (see above,) she told me, "I see you everyday. I make sure to toot my horn just gently from far back to let you know I'm coming without startling you, and I always pass slowly giving you plenty of room." I looked at her car and told her I recognized it, then I thanked her for setting a good example.
If riding a bent gets me attention, I want it to promote positive attitudes, so I'll keep answering questions and smiling. :D
Heck, few people ever gave me the kind positive attention I've been getting on my bent when I rode my upright bike. Might as well make the most of it!
:beer:
Bianchiriderlon
03-30-06, 10:57 AM
Well, that's better than the trogolodyte who tried to run me off the road last night and then sped off like the coward he was before I could get his license number. Good drivers should be encouraged. Good post.
Charles
bikingbill
03-30-06, 11:53 AM
Well, that's better than the trogolodyte who tried to run me off the road last night and then sped off like the coward he was before I could get his license number. Good drivers should be encouraged. Good post.
Charles
At least they didn't hit you. I'm still healing from being sideswiped last week.
SoonerBent
03-30-06, 01:19 PM
No you're not the only one. I've had more drivers, walkers, joggers, etc. ask about my bent or just talk as I go by in three months than I did on the in years on a DF. We definitely get attention on our bents. That was actually one point against when I was thinking about getting one. I'm usually a very quiet, reserved person and wasn't sure I wanted the attention. It's been fun though, I'm getting used to it and it's probably good for me to be more outgoing.
SB
blknwhtfoto
03-30-06, 02:09 PM
Oooh I am excited! My bike is sitting in my home, about 100 miles from where I am now. It needs to be assembled, then I'll be off! I have a blue polar fleece balaclava'esque hat, that has two brown dog ears on it. I wore it when I was riding a motorcycle. Keeps me warm, and makes me laugh.
megaman
03-30-06, 06:08 PM
I'm usually a very quiet, reserved person and wasn't sure I wanted the attention. It's been fun though, I'm getting used to it and it's probably good for me to be more outgoing.
That sounds like me. There are still times though, that I'd just as soon not answer questions cause I've had enough of them for the day. But it's always nice to exchange a nice friendly, HI! :D
Floyd
03-31-06, 06:20 AM
Friendly HI's win out over the curmudgeon attitude any day. Give a smile and you get one,,,usually. I too am quiet an reserved but want to spread the news that recumbents are OK and comfortable. Peace
Allister
04-05-06, 07:57 AM
I still get a moderate amount of abuse when I ride, but I also get the positive stuff now, which I never got before, which kinda takes the edge off it. I mostly see parents tapping their kids shoulders and pointing out my bike as I ride by, and kids rubbernecking in passing cars.
jeff-o
04-05-06, 08:11 AM
Heck, I still get adults rubbernecking in passing cars!
World Tour
04-05-06, 11:08 AM
AFter my second ride on my bent I love it. Sore but loving it. (no bent legs yet) EVERY single person I pass smiles. And little kids go coooool. No turning back now, I may donate my DF bikes to goodwill. I even saw a car turn around to get another look.
Bents are best. I love my bent!!!!!!!!!!!!! (LaBent by LaDue)
hiracer
04-05-06, 01:17 PM
Last weekend, I had a REDNECK in a truck roll down the window and yell at me, "You're doing thirty!"
And that was the top of the hill.
What's the world coming to when rednecks smile at my bike?
geo8rge
04-05-06, 08:39 PM
Now you know what chicks go through.
twahl
04-05-06, 08:59 PM
Last weekend, I had a REDNECK in a truck roll down the window and yell at me, "You're doing thirty!"
And that was the top of the hill.
What's the world coming to when rednecks smile at my bike?
What's thw world coming to when somebody offering a positive comment and a smile gets labeled a REDNECK?
beatle bailey
04-06-06, 09:45 AM
What's thw world coming to when somebody offering a positive comment and a smile gets labeled a REDNECK?
how does one determine who is a red neck???
jeff-o
04-06-06, 10:05 AM
how does one determine who is a red neck???
I think someone needs to catch up on his Jeff Foxworthy comedy routines... ;)
World Tour
04-06-06, 10:30 AM
On the same note: during my first ride on my bent, I was flying down a street and some gangsta looking brothers watched me go by. As I passed them they asked me if they could ride my bike. YEAH RIGHT! Sorry Charlie! But I said no thanks. What the? I would never ask someone if I could ride their bike, especially an expensive looking bent.
LittleBigMan
04-06-06, 10:43 AM
On the same note: during my first ride on my bent, I was flying down a street and some gangsta looking brothers watched me go by. As I passed them they asked me if they could ride my bike. YEAH RIGHT! Sorry Charlie! But I said no thanks. What the? I would never ask someone if I could ride their bike, especially an expensive looking bent.
Or when somebody hanging out asks, "How much that bike cost?" I just smile and say, "Same as a regular bike."
megaman
04-06-06, 11:48 AM
On the same note: during my first ride on my bent, I was flying down a street and some gangsta looking brothers watched me go by. As I passed them they asked me if they could ride my bike. YEAH RIGHT! Sorry Charlie! But I said no thanks. What the? I would never ask someone if I could ride their bike, especially an expensive looking bent.
I get all kinds of people asking to ride my trike. I just say it is a nice ride, and smile as I pedal away.
blknwhtfoto
04-06-06, 09:39 PM
Today was my full day with my 'bent. I couldn't figure out why everyone was staring at me as I went by. In riding for 1 hour, three people stopped me. One ass screamed at me and squeled his tires, I almost went into traffic. He was stopped at a light when I caught up to him, I was pissed. If only I could have got my feet out of the toe clips!
LittleBigMan
04-07-06, 07:13 AM
Today was my full day with my 'bent. I couldn't figure out why everyone was staring at me as I went by. In riding for 1 hour, three people stopped me. One ass screamed at me and squeled his tires, I almost went into traffic. He was stopped at a light when I caught up to him, I was pissed. If only I could have got my feet out of the toe clips!
Man, I can relate to you on that bent, mine is the same model. It's great you're riding it now. How do you like it? (People will keep rolling down their window and talking to you at stops for a long time.)
:D
mtessmer
04-07-06, 10:51 AM
I've been riding recumbents for over 23 years. In the earlier years I almost caused accidents from drivers staring and not watching where they were going and people asking what it was. Now, most people know what it is but I still get allot of the same questions. About 95% of the comments I get are positive and I get allot of respect from drivers in my year around daily commutes, day rides and when I tour.
JanMM
04-07-06, 07:52 PM
Today I got a thumbs-up from a trucker while waiting at a stoplight to cross a highway. I've ridden a recumbent only 3 weeks and never had that happen in 30+ years of cycling. Have to admit, tho, that riding a tandem with my wife has generated looks, smiles and waves. But never a thumbs-up from a trucker.
bobkat
04-08-06, 06:10 AM
When I first started riding a bent a couple of years ago I was probably the only one in the city. Now there are quite a few. I get people every day stopping to ask the usual questions. Probably sold two more yesterday. Occasionally let someone who seems sincere ride my bike. Ironically, turns out every person I let ride my bike has bought one. Rode with one of my "converts" yesterday - I was faster than him because his wide smile created more air resistance and slowed him down! An hour later I went into a welding shop to get a part, and one of their technicians who had seen me riding, cornered me with the usual questions. Had to promise to let hm ride my bike next time he sees me.
I do fly an American Flag in traffic, and have never had trouble with any drivers. A few times a year I actually have drivers or walkers stop and salute as I go by.
I like to quote a fellow I met last year on a ride "We are saving the bike riding sport, one ass at a time!"
Sometimes the questions get old, but usually I feel like a bent evangelist!
EnigManiac
04-08-06, 07:16 AM
If you're a shy and reserved person, riding a bent is a sure cure for that. Fortunately, I am accustomed to riding custom stretched cruisers, wild beach cruisers, choppers and lowriders and those receive a great deal of attention from the passive (and frequent) rubber-necking, to points and gaping mouths and excited hoots and hollers and folks gathering around. I have the local rep of never riding a 'normal' bike, so it comes as no surprise my semi-recumbent gets considerable attention in an area like mine where everyone rides regular road bikes. Rarely, if ever, do I ever get loud-mouthed idiots ever shout at me: the vast majority clearly admire the bike and are intrigued by its' unfamiliar design. I say enjoy the attention. It's better than being invisible or ignored.
paul2
04-11-06, 07:22 AM
I rode my bent for the first time on Saturday. I was riding around the parking lot of a restaurant when a car pulled in. An older couple got out, and the man stopped dead in his tracks and jus stared at me. His wife tried to get him to come into the restaurant, but he just stood there, dumbfounded. I stopped to chat with him, and he asked all the usual questions that everyone here said he would ask.
jeff-o
04-11-06, 07:52 AM
I got my first "lazy" comment from an older couple walking by. It was said in jest, and the only response I had time to provide was a big, wide grin.
I think the best answer to the Lazy comment is to say, "at least I'm not in a car..."
EnigManiac
04-11-06, 03:26 PM
I rode my bent for the first time on Saturday. I was riding around the parking lot of a restaurant when a car pulled in. An older couple got out, and the man stopped dead in his tracks and jus stared at me. His wife tried to get him to come into the restaurant, but he just stood there, dumbfounded. I stopped to chat with him, and he asked all the usual questions that everyone here said he would ask.
I understand that. There's not alot of bents here in the T dot. Where are you located? What parking lot was this at?
blknwhtfoto
04-11-06, 04:27 PM
On the very first day I rode my recumbent(last thursday,but its now in the shop again because a bolt worked its way out and is MIA) I had three people ask me all kindsa questions about it. There were so many people just staring, I couldn't figure out what it was until I realized the beautiful bike I was on. One lady I spoke with just recently bough a ReVive semi bent and she hates it. I got an email from her the next day and she is buying a bent! Wooo Hooo.
paul2
04-12-06, 10:36 AM
I understand that. There's not alot of bents here in the T dot. Where are you located? What parking lot was this at?
I was actually up at my girlfriend's place in Beaverton. It was the little restaurant by the lake there.
World Tour
05-02-06, 10:34 AM
EVERY single person I pass smiles at me and very often they say things like COOL BIKE. EVen punky kids on bmx bikes marvel at it. It's faster than any DF I've ever ridden, because I slice right through the headwind. Personally I don't care if it's even 10lbs. too heavy. It's a pleasure to ride, no hills in South Florida and it only cost me $500. And that much because it's so long (extra shipping), I'm 6'6"/230lbs..
paul2
05-09-06, 02:51 PM
EVERY single person I pass smiles at me and very often they say things like COOL BIKE. EVen punky kids on bmx bikes marvel at it.
I was riding last weekend, and I passed a couple of ten-year-olds on bikes. One kid says to the other, "That bike is sick."
LittleBigMan
05-10-06, 08:45 AM
I was riding last weekend, and I passed a couple of ten-year-olds on bikes. One kid says to the other, "That bike is sick."
Catch me if you can, little Twerp!
:D
BlazingPedals
05-10-06, 10:48 AM
In modern lingo, "sick" is a good thing. It means cool, rad, even bad-to-the-bone!
JanMM
05-10-06, 08:28 PM
Really gone, man.
World Tour
05-11-06, 10:33 AM
One 5 y/o I passed, riding with his Mom, said loudly, look at that bike Mom!
How cool are our bents? I love mine.
Knudsen
05-11-06, 02:53 PM
how does one determine who is a red neck???
It's like pornography, it's hard to define, but you know it when you see it! :D
5port
05-11-06, 02:58 PM
I think my favorite comment was "what in the world???" As if I were from outer space.
LittleBigMan
05-12-06, 08:35 AM
I think my favorite comment was "what in the world???" As if I were from outer space.
Yesterday (I've gotten used to the "stare," so I am ready for it now,) I was cruising home and some stranger walking along the road in the grass sort of leaned backwards/sideways and cocked his head like a puppy does when it's trying to understand...he looked a little tipsy, too...
...now I can say, it's not only them who are staring, but I'm staring back!
:D
BlackSwan
05-22-06, 10:33 AM
I get a lot of the "weird bike" stares too. I started carrying info cards with the website of where my bike is from and general bent info to hand out. I really like to chat, but sometimes I am trying to get in all my miles in a short time. As for people crowding me on the road, I've noticed if I wear my long hair in braids or pig tails visible and to the front, and wear my pink jersey, most people give me a wide berth and really stare. :-) Works great, other than the red neck in a pickup who hollered "Hey baby, I'll give you a ride!" Uhm, yeah right, go buy some teeth!
CATZ
05-22-06, 11:07 AM
I got "the feel", yesterday, while doing one of my shakedown rides on my homebuilt. On my deadend country road, a car which had passed me, passed again, as we had both turned around, rolled down his window and hollered "nice bike!" ??? Hell, it's only primered! Will it get/better worse, when I paint it? LOL
LittleBigMan
05-22-06, 11:34 AM
I got "the feel", yesterday, while doing one of my shakedown rides on my homebuilt.
I just remembered. The other day on my way home, he was about to cross the road when I passed. He stopped dead in his tracks and his head and eyes followed me as I went by.