Touring - touring is for old fat people

That is what the guy at the LBS told me. I have been building a touring bike and have been going to the shop to get parts. I am converting my Giant mtn bike into a touring bike. He laughs at me every time I go in for a part. He doesn't understand touring. I feel kinda stupid. I am 50 years old and do about 15-20 miles/day with a 50 miler on the weekend. I am going to do some 3-4 day tours this summer and then a week long tour. Plan to do 75 miles/day.
He told me that touring is for fat people with their bellies hanging over their seats. He said it was for people that can't ride 20 miles per hour. He pissed me off but I got to thinking he is right. Here I am getting into touring. Why am I doing this? Is is because I can't ride 20 miles per hour. I usuallly can only maintain 10-12 mph fully loaded. I kinda resemble his remark and maybe that is why it pissed me off. He told me that most guys that tour gain weight not lose it. I have to admit I need to lose 10 pounds but I am very slowly losing the weight even though I am not going very fast. Oh well thanks for listening and I am sure lots of you guys have heard these remarks.
Smart ass college puke. LOL.

Have you tried another bike shop?

The guy does not know what he's on about. I know some First Cat riders who do a lot of touring in the off season, really helps stamina.

Every time I do a big tour I finish weighing about 5kg less than when I start and I only weigh 70kg at my heaviest. I seem not to fit with that idiots definition of a touring cyclist. I'm with #1, find another bike shop and never go back to that shop. They should be promoting ANY type of cycling not mocking you.

**** that guy. if he really said that stuff then he's trying to make himself feel better about something. maybe a lack of his own cycling ability, maybe he's so starved for human attention that he's gotta pick on 50 year olds that are new to the sport, it doesn't matter. distance riding is one of the best ways to lose weight and losing weight slowly is the ONLY healthy way to do it. the real goal, however, is not to lose weight, ride fast, or even far (although those are useful benchmarks). what's really rewarding is making cycling a valuable part of your life such that you are content with how you ride and why. when that happens all you can do is pity dickweeds like that. no matter how fast and skinny they are.

Call the LBS owner and tell him that he lost a sale on a pair of Phil hubs due to his employee's attitude.

I agree with The Fixer- that LBS employee is not worth the money his boss is paying him and that shop owner deserves to know it.
look at the different forums on this site- touring, singlespeed, racing.... to each his own, eh?

just be excited about the riding you're doing and find a shop that wants to help you- not tell you what kind of cycling is right for you.

touring is its own part of a very wide cycling spectrum. I recall that when I used to race I would always do a long, tough tour in the spring of get my base miles in. I also recall just how eliteist racer can be. They tend to think racing is the pinnacle of cycling. Of course its not. Just one area.

The LBS kid is ignorent and intolerent. LBS need a new employee. Let the owner know that a segment of his potential business base is being sent away. It is hitting his bottom line.

Touring is fun. If you enjoy it, who cares what that guy thinks?

I agree with rideabike.

There are many different people with still more opinions. You cannot change them all, nor do you actually want to. It will be pretty boring if everyone thinks the same.

Enjoy your tour! As long as you enjoy whatever you do, who cares?

Any ride is a good ride.

Never forget that. Whether you're riding a beach cruiser down a path, freeride mountain bike riding, or puking your guts out after the final sprint of a road race, the important thing is that you're on a bicycle and you are having fun. **** that guy.

Heh that's kinda funny. If an old fat guy tours alot, then he won't be fat anymore. So where does fat come in?...

Babysaph,

Go over to Crazy Guy on a Bike. Read lots of the journals there so that you can get a real feel for what touring is all about. Racer dudes generally don't get it because they what to beat someone. They don't understand that touring is about expanding who you are as a person, seeing what you can do, seeing the world from a different angle. It's not about beating someone into submission, it's not even about beating yourself into submission (something that takes a long time to learn by the way:rolleyes: ). Sure it's about pain and suffering...testing your mettle. But it's also about seeing a sunrise over the Missouri River that is so beautiful that it still makes you cry 3 years later. Or about seeing a child that you once had to breath life into to keep alive becoming so strong, capable and confident that you know she can do anything! It's also about finding your own inner peace and inner strength.

Then go down to that bike shop, ask for the guy who ridicules you and the manager/owner. Then tell the owner that this fat, old person who has several Platium MasterCards and who could outspend any 20 something racer dude (or racer wannabee) that walks through his door is taking her fat, old business elsewhere...and she is going to tell all her fat, old -rich- friends to do likewise and anyone else she sees!

Maybe smart-ass college boy will learn a lesson in customer service and unemployment:D

[Edit: By the way, when I tour I generally lose between 20 and 40 pounds. Riding a unloaded bike for 5 to 9 hours per day burns from 4500 to 8000 calories (for me). With a touring load you burn significantly more. You get to the point where you just can't eat enough to keep up.

I always lose weight on tour.

Find another bike shop.

You know, he might think he's bantering with you, giving you the opportunity to say, "you young punk, what do you know about bikes?" so you can both have a chuckle at each other. For some people, this kind of teasing is what passes for a close salesperson/customer relationship. I wouldn't get all up in arms about it, trying to get the poor guy fired, if he's just trying to be nice, albeit in a grade-school kind of way.

Either way, I think anyone that anyone that cuts off a kind of experience because of judging like that is in a bad place. Racing? sounds like fun. touring? sounds like fun. no need to get all cliquey.

You know, he might think he's bantering with you, giving you the opportunity to say, "you young punk, what do you know about bikes?" so you can both have a chuckle at each other. For some people, this kind of teasing is what passes for a close salesperson/customer relationship. I wouldn't get all up in arms about it, trying to get the poor guy fired, if he's just trying to be nice, albeit in a grade-school kind of way.

Either way, I think anyone that anyone that cuts off a kind of experience because of judging like that is in a bad place. Racing? sounds like fun. touring? sounds like fun. no need to get all cliquey.

I hadn't thought about it in just that way but if he is bothering you, Babysaph, you need to tell him to quit. One warning. If he makes similar comments again...let him learn the joys of the unemployment office ;)

Let me get this straight: Every time you go to buy a touring piece of equipment the guy insults the very activity you're patronizing his shop for?

Bearded old fat retrogrouches, you mean. ;)

If it was all about the speed or distance then why savor the journey.

The guy is a arrogant jerk for even talking to a customer that way.

Post the name of the shop here and those in your area can avoid him and let him know why!

Find another LBS.

stick to your guns mate, you are doing fine, however i agree with everyone else ... find another lbs

i also lose weight on tours, even though i eat way more ... at 44, 6'4" and 230lbs, i don't really fit the fat guy mould, i just don't see the need to be shrink wrapped in lycra and need to go fast and ignore other riders anymore ...

touring is about the journey, not the destination ... touring is about the mental and physical challenges, the highs and the lows, the meeting people, the everyday adventure and then doing it all over again the next day ...

I agree with rideabike.

There are many different people with still more opinions. You cannot change them all, nor do you actually want to. It will be pretty boring if everyone thinks the same.

Enjoy your tour! As long as you enjoy whatever you do, who cares?

Opinion: I do not like touring at all therefore never do it. It gives me no enjoyment whatsoever.

Insult: Touring is for old, fat people.

There can be a world full of differing opinions and I agree that it would be pretty boring if everyone were to think the same. The opinion as I have stated it is rather strongly expressed but if it were delivered in a tone of personal disclosure rather than put-down, I might see it as an invitation to dialogue.

In the second instance, as reported by babysaph, the guy is saying that something babysaph likes is for the wrong kind of people, rendering babysaph in a category of people he finds repulsive. It's tantamount to saying he finds his customer repulsive.

A response that makes it clear that such communication is unacceptable, such as walking out the door, is a demonstration of self-respect.

While I'm on this subject, as far as I know there is no law that prohibits being either old or fat....or tactless.

OP, no need to do too much w.r.t. issue. Just email the store with the following link and the name/description of the clerk.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=2427496#post2427496

If it were me I'd take every item I ever bought there and dump it on the counter for a refund, explaining that you've been convinced by the salesperson that touring really IS for old fat people and you don't want to be associated with it any longer. Cash please.

Opinion: I do not like touring at all therefore never do it. It gives me no enjoyment whatsoever.

Insult: Touring is for old, fat people.

There can be a world full of differing opinions and I agree that it would be pretty boring if everyone were to think the same. The opinion as I have stated it is rather strongly expressed but if it were delivered in a tone of personal disclosure rather than put-down, I might see it as an invitation to dialogue.

In the second instance, as reported by babysaph, the guy is saying that something babysaph likes is for the wrong kind of people, rendering babysaph in a category of people he finds repulsive. It's tantamount to saying he finds his customer repulsive.

A response that makes it clear that such communication is unacceptable, such as walking out the door, is a demonstration of self-respect.

While I'm on this subject, as far as I know there is no law that prohibits being either old or fat....or tactless.

Absolutely, but we do not know how the delivery was do we? The bike owner/salesman could have said it with a wink and a smile. Then it is no longer an insult but rather a playful poke. The point is that across the internet, there are many things which we as readers could not know.

What I would do, is to let it go, and if I knew it was intended as an insult, not to go to the shop again. Afterall, why let a total stranger affect your enjoyment of the sport? It is simply not worth it to get all worked up over a nasty, obnoxious, crazy, rude salesperson at the bikeshop. Btw, the above is just my personal view. YMMV.

He told me that most guys that tour gain weight not lose it. . . . Smart ass college puke. LOL.
I guaranty that, if you do 75 miles a day on a loaded touring bike, you will not gain weight, especially if you go for any appreciable time, and even if you eat nothing but banana splits. (Not recommended, BTW.) I also guaranty that your endurance, and probably your speed, will increase as if by magic.

As for the guy being a "smart ass college puke," that's redundent.

And as for needing to lose ten pounds, I'm jealous. If I had only ten extra pounds, I'd be thrilled right about now. If you do a multi-week tour, that ten pounds will be history. Just be sure to cut back on your food intake when your tour ends, or you'll have twenty pounds back on in no time. (This is the voice of personal experience speaking.:( )

Go tour. Have fun. But be warned - on the plan you have outlined, you are likely to get hooked. Bummer.

As for the guy being a "smart ass college puke," that's redundent.

Go tour. Have fun. But be warned - on the plan you have outlined, you are likely to get hooked. Bummer.

When my 20 year old daughter went back to school this fall and told people what she did for vacation, the response was an overwelming "No way! I could never do that!" And that was from the 20 something Racer Dudes from her college's bicycle racing team. It scares the willies out of them. They just can't comprehend the idea of actually not using their cars for vacation.

Too late on the being hooked, she's already there. ;) Ride, rinse, repeat.

That guy at the LBS is a total dick. I would try and get his ass fired. He shouldn't be working with customers. Maybe one day someone will straighten him out.

I am always impressed by the older, fatter dudes who whip past me at 20+ mph. And, there are plenty who do. And, I am allowing for the facts that I am old and fat.

Babysaph....blow the guy off. I'm about like you (you in the 50+Rogues gallery?). I like 3-4 day tours. I ride 15-30miles several times a week and try for a longer run on the weekend. I have about 800 miles and one 140 mile tour since the first of the year.

My main ride is a 90's Schwinn Transit that I have made into a tourer. My LBS has patiently fixed gears, wheels, swapped out gears, etc. He has also pointed me toward a Trek Pilot if I decide I want it. In the meantime I buy stuff from him and helps me. Last week I finally break down and leave the bike with him so he can put a new set of wheels on it because the spoke was broke on the freewheel side and I'm tired of trying to fix the spokes. When I go to pick it up the local roadie/speedsters are all gathering around ready for the weekly ride. The LBS owner, who is probably early 40's and about to do his first brevet, sees my well worn Brooks saddle. Before its all over the roadies are looking at it. When I assure them that I can ride easily for 6 hours without my butt hurting they next day they sort of gasp. Then the roady suggests that the LBS enlist me for a brevet partner. I decline, but it gets me to thinking.

Remember bicycling isn't always about strength, it is about endurance. Ride like you want to and take your money somewhere else. I don't pay for poor service, put downs, or insults. If I owned that LBS I would want to know of the young man's remark, for he cost me business.

I'd second finding another LBS and a letter or call to the manager/owner...

...or you could counter with something like "road bikes are for rich image-obsessed lycra clad posers who couldn't ride further than the distance between their mocha cappucinos"

But seriously, all roadies I know acknowldge that touring is far more extreme and impressive than riding up and down on a carbon road bike...so I wouldn't worry about it...and find another LBS....

Grahme Obree did a lot of touring...before he set the hour record (reading Flying Scotsman right now). I think he was kind of fast :rolleyes:

Hey, he's probably just bustin ya balls. If he's not then he should be fired. As for old fat guys touring...I have to admit that every time I've seen a tourer they do bear a striking resemblence to Santa Claus. ;)

You're 50, and you give a flying S#!&T what some 20 year old punk says. phfffff!

Grahme Obree did a lot of touring...before he set the hour record (reading Flying Scotsman right now). I think he was kind of fast :rolleyes:


Obree's was/is amazing. Touring is amazing. If you like the LBS and not the opinionated chump, talk to the owner/manager. Chances are if the guy's being a dick to you he's being a dick to others.

Do it for the TEAM, man. = )

Babysaph, I remember from reading one of your previous posts that someone at your LBS also told you that fenders could not be mounted on your Mtn/touring bike. From the many responses you recieved on this forum you now know this is no more true than the latest insult from this employee. If this is the same person, or LBS, it seems obvious that they are not serious about keeping your business. Do yourself a favor and spend your time and money at a shop that is more supportive of your endeavors!

I went to an LBS once where one of the employees told me to my face that I was stupid for doing Randonneuring ....... I never darkened the door of that shop again. I took all my business elsewhere.





BTW - if you do go back there, give him the link for my website, and he can take a look at how fat and old cycletourists are. :D

When I did my longest tour (3000 miles) my LBS helped a lot. He gave us discounts and even free stuff, and plenty of encourgement. This was in 1990 and I still buy there, he won my business for good. BTW, I lost weight while eating 6000 calories per day,and 1 of my touring partners was a vegan with 2% body fat. You will get hooked on touring, some of the best memories in life.

I'm only 23 and I tour. Definately not fat either. To be honest, I find long days alone in the saddle infinitly more challenging than 20 miles or so on my mountain bike (not that I don't still enjoy it).
Also on my morning run today I was overtaken by a portly 60ish year old, doing about twice my speed and not even breaking a sweat, so younger most definitely does not equal fitter.

Well first of all I don't want the guy to lose his job. Second I own a business and wouldn't want to lose business because of something one of my employees said. Especially when I didn't even know about it. I don't take him seriously I just noticed his attitude. Heck when he is my age he might be touring also. Besides this is the only LBS around here and I can't go anywhere else. I was just wondering if you guys ever run into that attitude when you tour. I am heading for DC today on the bike. 75 miles from here. I will let you know tonight if I make it. Thanks for listening.

Doc

Everybody knows recumbents are for Fat Old Guys (FOGs).

disclaimer - I have a recumbent

There is something compelling about touring. Just hop on your bike and go. I've always wanted to ride to Tierra del Fuego. Its about as far as you can get from here without crossing any oceans.

Remember the last scene of "True Grit"?

John Wayne jumping the fence on his horse.

"Come see a fat old man sometime...."

Find a new shop.

Well first of all I don't want the guy to lose his job. Second I own a business and wouldn't want to lose business because of something one of my employees said. Especially when I didn't even know about it.

Well then, I think the first thing to do is is tell the guy yourself that his comments are inappropriate. Hopefully you can enlighten him.

Then come back after a tour and show him the results.

You've had some good and some bad responses here.

First about Stupid Bike Shop Guy - if you're averaging 60+ miles a day you'll find it hard to keep your weight let alone gain. If you ride more than 80 miles a day, which may sound pretty hard now but in fact isn't all that hard once you've gotten in the groove, you'll lose weight unless you eat like a tyranosaurus.

Hey, he's a kid and what does he know? What was important to you when you were a kid? Being fast, being "better" and being cool. There's nothing wrong with that despite the fact that you and I are FAR past that stage.

Secondly - when you start touring you feel like crap for the first couple of days. Then your body starts to adapt and you start getting better, riding distances becomes easier and it isn't too long before you're doing 60, 70 or 80 miles a day without a problem. And waking up feeling good too.

50 is still young. I'm closing in on 62 now and I did a 5 day tour last spring that averaged 70 miles a day. We rode around 16 mph and to tell you the truth that was a little fast for the gearing I had. If I hadn't been with some faster people I'd have ridden around 14 mph for the most part.

I can still ride pretty fast at my age and just five years ago was racing and able to ride at 28 mph for a couple of miles and 24 mph for a couple of hours. Now that I've stop racing and time has passed I find it hard to ride at 22 for any distance. So what? I normally ride at 17 mph with a sport bike and 15 or so on a touring bike. I ride for ME now and not someone else and especially not for some bike shop kid.

I made it. There is nothing on me that doesn't ache. Did I hear someone say touring was fun? LOL. I had a very good time and hooked up with 2 other guys going the same way I was. I rode 74 miles. My longest ride yet. I could go further if my butt didn't hurt. Thanks for all of your help getting me started. I am going to ride back tomorrow and am planning a trip (3-4 days on skyline drive in Va.) Thanks again.

Doc

Let's see, you spend your money and get insulted, hmmm. No brainer, go to another LBS. The owner of my LBS is a fat, old guy who used to do RAM. He respects all aspects of cycling and stocks most of it.

P.S. If this kid worked for me, he'd be fired so fast, and with a vengence, he would not know what happened!

I made it. There is nothing on me that doesn't ache. Did I hear someone say touring was fun? LOL. I had a very good time and hooked up with 2 other guys going the same way I was. I rode 74 miles. My longest ride yet. I could go further if my butt didn't hurt. Thanks for all of your help getting me started. I am going to ride back tomorrow and am planning a trip (3-4 days on skyline drive in Va.) Thanks again.

Doc

Congrats!!!

My 2 cents.............. Take the kid for a ride, and see if he can stay in the saddle as long as you! Or keep going back to that shop with your odometer to check if the kid has as many miles as you do.

Most RAAM Solo riders lose weight as much as 10 to 15 pounds. That would be up to a pound of body fat a day. One finisher told me the next time he does that (very fast) tour he wants to be 5 pounds heavier as he has trouble eating more than 5000 calories a day and needs over 8000 calories. If you are doing 50 miles a day instead of 300 miles call it two ounces a day of fat lost.

All the wrenches I've met while riding will slow and chat a moment or two before vanishing down the road.

Hey, he's a kid and what does he know? What was important to you when you were a kid? Being fast, being "better" and being cool. There's nothing wrong with that despite the fact that you and I are FAR past that stage.

When I was a 20 year old "kid" I was a scuba instructor and worked in a combo scuba/ski shop. I never insulted customers like that, but then what was really important to me at the time was being able to pay my rent and buy groceries! The LBS smartass probably lives at home with momma and does not have a clue.

If you like the shop, have a talk with the owner as many have suggested - I like cyccommute's approach:

Then go down to that bike shop, ask for the guy who ridicules you and the manager/owner. Then tell the owner that this fat, old person who has several Platium MasterCards and who could outspend any 20 something racer dude (or racer wannabee) that walks through his door is taking her fat, old business elsewhere...and she is going to tell all her fat, old -rich- friends to do likewise and anyone else she sees!

Otherwise, find another shop!
I have been to most of my local shops and none of them give me a warm fuzzy feeling. The best shop I have found is over 100 miles away (on the Katy Trail, which I like to ride) and that is where I will spend my money on my upcoming Surly LHT project.

PS If things did not improve after speaking with the owner, there is NO WAY I would continue to spend money at that bike shop - I don't care how far away a better shop is!

When I was a 20 year old "kid" I was a scuba instructor and worked in a combo scuba/ski shop. I never insulted customers like that, but then what was really important to me at the time was being able to pay my rent and buy groceries! The LBS smartass probably lives at home with momma and does not have a clue.
Well, if you came into my shop and started complaining about some young kid insulting you like that I'd take a few shots at you myself and laugh in your face.

But if you were really lucky you might get the kid fired and that would make you feel like a really big man.

Take no notice of this bonehead. Touring is brilliant. Wish I had discovered it years ago. If I want to go over 20 mile per hour I get in my car. Happy Touring

what's up with this guy. Certainly not a business graduate. Sales people are to sell anything, whatever their private convictions. Guy's an arrogrant prick. I assure you riding 1000 miles in 10 days will reduce that belly. Racers can't race forever. See what he does in 28 years.