General Cycling Discussion - Familiarity

If something is "normal," we tend to accept it. If something is not "normal," we tend to be wary of it.

But what we call, "normal," may in fact only be, "usual." That is, we have accepted things as normal because we see them all the time. So often, our standards of what is normal are confused.

I would like to accept cycling to work as "normal," and driving a car as the "abnormal," wasteful, health-impairing, environment
destroying activity that it is. Freeways jammed with thousands of cars everyday is not my idea of an acceptable standard no matter how common it may be.

I seem to recall a Calvin & Hobbes strip (God I miss them!) that delt with the issue of 'normalness.' It even has a cycling tye in.

Calvin and Hobbes were discussing what 'normal' was, and concluded that everyone thought that their own environment was normal. People are brought up to believe that what their parents teach them is 'normal.' At this point the door opens, and Calvin's father enters with bike, saying, "Boy! There's nothing like a twenty mile ride in 6 inches of snow, followed by some dry toast and a bowl of nice, gummy oatmeal!" Calvin and Hobbes look on in disbelief, while Calvin says, "Maybe normal is too strong a word," followed by Hobbes', "Yeah, I think we'd know normal if we saw it."

Admittedly, it works a lot better when you can actually see the strip, but try as I may, I can't find it.

Pete and Ba-Dg-Er--count me in. That makes 3.

Lightboy, you painted a good picture of the comic strip.

I forgot to place my vote. Sorry.

I hereby wholeheartedly agree that we are normal, they are not. That makes me number four.

Although I am no longer a "poor misled monkey," I must request that I be allowed to maintain my monkey status. For strictly professional reasons, of course.

I claim #5 spot!!!
:D

I'm in.

The mention of Calvin & Hobbes reminds me of a picture I snagged from the comic (73KB). Does it make you think of anyone you know?