Commuting - Bike Commuting & Dating

Today I commuted by bike and I also have plans to meet a lady for an early evening date. It's a first for me to pull up on a bike for a first date. Now I don't wear the full biker gear but nylon shorts, a t-shirt (a caprilene shirt under the t in the morning), gloves. I'm not sure whether I will change back into my work clothes or if I'll ride to our meeting location in my work clothes or if I'll just meet her in my shorts. We'll see. This is just a silly thread but I am curious how the commuters do dates ...

I'll give my own date report tomorrow.

I am curious how the commuters do dates ...

I'll give my own date report tomorrow.

We are all going to find out through you. Don't let us down.

Rolling up in cycling gear would probably make her wonder how "serious" an adult you are. You might want to wear your work clothes w/ your cycling gear underneath and just roll slow and get there early so you have time to cool down. And bring a stick of deodorant and some wet wipes w/ you for a last minute touch up.

Other than regular clothes, be sure to have clear lens protective googles. You do not want to get a bug in your eye and ruin your date.

Dating takes planning. Find a place where you can clean up and change before meeting someone for the first time. That first impression might be the difference between a second date or back to the drawing board.

zipcar.com and flexcar.com may be alternatives.

of course, if she thinks your a dud because you ride your bike, she may not be worth pursuing unless you want to give up your bike.

Are you forty years old and still a virgin?:)

Remember in Top Gun when Maverick rolls up for his date and asks if he can take a quick shower? In real life, at least in my experience, that really didn't work.

Plan ahead and don't look like a shmuck when you show up, same as with any first date. And agreed, if the bike is an issue, she's probably not worth wasting your time on any way.

Are you forty years old and still a virgin?:)
Naw man. I'm 39.

of course, if she thinks your a dud because you ride your bike, she may not be worth pursuing unless you want to give up your bike.

Litmus test!

Roll up on a tandem with an empty stoker seat.

Litmus test!

Roll up on a tandem with an empty stoker seat.

Awesome idea!

Az

I biked to a few dates. Get there early and clean up. First impressions ARE important. If you happen to mention that you rode to the date, you will get a surprised "Really? You're all clean and good-smelling!" or something like that. Hopefully, she'll be impressed with your obvious physical prowess. DON'T wear your shorts, definitely wear your work clothes. Better yet, pack casual date-appropriate attire so your clothes don't have that "lived-in" look.

I've done this and turned up early to get changed. A pannier isn't as off putting as cycling gear. Just remember to consider what you are going to do afterwards.

Disappearing to the bathroom to change at the end of the date isn't always going to give a good impression.
Drinking is more or less out of the question so to make up for having to be a boring tee-totaller, perform a series of magic tricks to keep her entertained.
At the end of the night, be careful not to cite the bicycle as a reason you can't go back to her place. You may care for the bike more than the date but you can never say this out loud. Practice your "not on a first date" routine.
Make sure the bike is incredibly well locked in a good location, just in case you do end up going home together.

Don't forget to emphasize the exceptional endurance and lower body strength that cycling has granted you. ;)

no shorts. bring your change of clothes and wear something nice for a first date. use deorderant too.

How well do you know the girl? Does she know you bicycle commute?...

Good luck
Joe
:beer:

Hinting first date intercourse. "Get in that cab, I race you in my bike to your bedroom. The one that looses goes bottom"

Hinting first date intercourse. "Get in that cab, I race you in my bike to your bedroom. The one that looses goes bottom"

That isn't really what we call a hint.

Carry plenty of material that definitively proves that cycling does not affect off-road performance.

I've done this and turned up early to get changed. A pannier isn't as off putting as cycling gear. Just remember to consider what you are going to do afterwards.

Drinking is more or less out of the question so to make up for having to be a boring tee-totaller, perform a series of magic tricks to keep her entertained.
At the end of the night, be careful not to cite the bicycle as a reason you can't go back to her place. You may care for the bike more than the date but you can never say this out loud. Practice your "not on a first date" routine.
Make sure the bike is incredibly well locked in a good location, just in case you do end up going home together.

Don't do any of the above.

Think about why David Blaine is single. (magic tricks).

Never, ever, ever, say "never on a first date". Procreation got us here, and it is our job and duty to continue the evolution of man.

Locking your bike is a good idea though. :beer:

Other than regular clothes, be sure to have clear lens protective googles. You do not want to get a bug in your eye and ruin your date.

I've taken a number of bugs in the eye, and it's never been a serious enough problem to even make me stop the bike. The threat is overhyped.

That isn't really what we call a hint.

Carry plenty of material that definitively proves that cycling does not affect off-road performance.

Subtelty is NOT my middle name :D

Smell good, and look good. Full roadie gear may make you look an ass - it makes the roadies look that way!

If it was me, I'd rock up on some outlandish freakbike - I have an MTB with a banana seat and 24" ape hangers. If that didn't hook her, she wouldn't be for me......

she may not be worth pursuing unless you want to give up your bike.


This statement is a bannable offense. I'm contacting the mods.

I don't know how useful it is, but this thread is cracking me up!:roflmao:

23 replies and nobody has asked what kind of bike the young woman rides??

I'll give my own date report tomorrow.
Do not forget to take a helmet camera!
;)

The burning question is, will she be "riding on the bar?"

Pics of her bike? :D

I'd pack a change of fresh clothes for the first date and get there early. Good luck and I can't wait for the report!

I used to go home, shower, and switch wardrobes before driving (for shame!) to the lady's house, but her house was WAY out of the way. I moved later on, and her house was on the direct route from work to home, so I just cruised by on the way home, and just stay sweaty (she's a nurse-- she says she's smelled worse). Now that I am marrying said lady and I've had a job change, I drive to her house and ride the rest of the way. Then I shower when I return to her place.

There is hope! :)

I used to go home, shower, and switch wardrobes before driving (for shame!) to the lady's house, but her house was WAY out of the way. I moved later on, and her house was on the direct route from work to home, so I just cruised by on the way home, and just stay sweaty (she's a nurse-- she says she's smelled worse). Now that I am marrying said lady and I've had a job change, I drive to her house and ride the rest of the way. Then I shower when I return to her place.

There is hope! :)

why don't you just move in together? sounds like that would make it a lot easier. could probably ditch your car as well...

I am also enjoying this thread. And looking forward to a report tomorrow.

Are you gonna ride double? You know like Butch Cassidy.

why don't you just move in together? sounds like that would make it a lot easier. could probably ditch your car as well...

a) What you may consider to be an old-fashioned belief system.

b) I will be moving into our new house in a few weeks anyway. :)

Call me old fashioned but an early evening "date" would not involve showing up on a bicycle even if I were dating the local (female) bike coalition coordinator. Time for the bike later, if there is a later.

I dated a car-free biker (we've been living together for two and a half years now :)). Our first "date" (which actually wasn't meant to be in any way "romantic" - and that makes it easier) was a bike ride. ;)

Actually, to think of it, of all the men I dated only one had a car. Helps to live in Toronto (great public transportation), helps to be a university student. :D

Never, ever, ever, say "never on a first date". Procreation got us here, and it is our job and duty to continue the evolution of man.
Not necessarily. That is why you should wear a helmet on your first date.

I don't know how useful it is, but this thread is cracking me up!:roflmao:

This thread is pure silliness but I wrote it with the recognition of the several and sometimes unforseeable adjustments that bike commuting requires. Okay for the curious ... My date knows I ride a bike to work 3 or 4 days a week and that I am riding tonight. To the best of my knowledge the young woman does not have a bike. Tonight I think I will slowly ride from work the mile and a half to our rendezvous point with my work clothes on and of course I will refresh my deodorant. We meet 30 minutes after work so no time for going home. I'll change after dinner is over for the ride home.

I'm trying to put myself in the lady's shoes. Not knowing anything about her, I would probably worry about her thinking one of these:

1) People who ride a bike cannot afford a car.
2) People who choose to bike are environmental freaks or some other kind of nazi who will always be haranguing you about your lifestyle choices.
3) People who ride a bike get a thrill from holding up traffic, breaking the law, and endangering themselves because they are angry selfish jerks.

I think you can avoid these by curbing the desire to talk about biking. Speak only when spoken to, and then be brief, positive, and low-key. :)

Personally, I think it's very sad that "bike commuting" has to be gently disclosed to people, like a communicable disease. But I can see the reasons why -- bikes are not cars; cars are the holy grail of over-advertised, uber-symbolic status symbols; therefore, bikes are weird and the people who ride them are weird.

On the other hand, imagine all the pictures of happy couples in bike advertisements/collateral, riding smilingly down the bike path amongst happy dogs and butterflies and green park grass. I would keep this picture in mind when discussing cycling.

I did this once... ONCE.

The plan was to go to the bar directly from work, arrive early, and change from my riding jersey to the short-sleeve, button-down shirt that I wear at the office. I wear baggy, casual shorts over my riding shorts when I ride (leave my long pants at the office) and didn't bother changing them so that I could show off my manly, sculpted legs. To cut down on potential funkiness, I gave myself a spritz of Tag body spray while I changed shirts. I even planned to arrive 30 minutes early, to give myself a chance to cool off (I sweat a LOT when riding) before changing in the washroom.

I knew it was a gamble, but she said that she was sporty and pro-environment, so I figured I'd get bonus points for not driving.

Anyway, long story short, it did not go well: My chain derailed on the way there, so not only was I running late, I arrived with greasy hands - and what's worse - greasy fingernails. The washroom at the pub was tiny, and out of paper, so I had to splash myself in the sink and stand around with my shirt off trying to air-dry before changing. While standing aound, two other guys came in to use the (tiny) washroom, so you can imagine that I must have looked like a dork, or a pervert, or both.

I changed, sprayed, got my hair looking somewhat normal, and went back to the table, ordered a pint and a tall glass of ice water - but it was a warm day, and like I said before, when I start sweating, it pours...

Then my date showed up, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah, and I went home solo.

Moral of the story: biking to a first date? I'd advise against it. Internet dating, I'd advise against that too, but that's a discussion for another forum!

p.s.: feel free to use this tale as an ice-breaker

I'm trying to put myself in the lady's shoes. Not knowing anything about her, I would probably worry about her thinking one of these:

1) People who ride a bike cannot afford a car.
2) People who choose to bike are environmental freaks or some other kind of nazi who will always be haranguing you about your lifestyle choices.
3) People who ride a bike get a thrill from holding up traffic, breaking the law, and endangering themselves because they are angry selfish jerks.

I think you can avoid these by curbing the desire to talk about biking. Speak only when spoken to, and then be brief, positive, and low-key. :)
clip
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Sorry, but that's goofy. Just be yourself. She might really dig someone who's unconventional--like we all are. If she asks about cycling--put the emphasis on how much you love being in shape. That's always a good thing!

I like to turn a dinner into an evening--get dessert and an after dinner drink (you can go to a lot of places for that).

I can't really add, but I often think that idealy that the form of transport one uses should be transparent, whether to co-workers, boss, dates, friends, etc.

I prefer to show up at social events (i.e not shopping) so that its not obvious I cycled there. This means not only clothing/hygene, but what you say as well.

Al

A couple of thoughts:

Alox's story might be a reason to bring something like a pair of surgical gloves in case you have to do something on the bike.

This may just be me being old-fashioned, but why is everyone so emphatic that you need to make sure you can go to her apartment for 'exercise'? I would recommend meeting the lady and keeping that word in mind. Just be a gentleman.

I think with the emphasis in today's society of 'exercise' on dates that so much is lost. You should get to know her as a person and a friend before you try to know her in another way. If you are polite and friendly and she is put off simply because you rode a bicycle, you might want to be grateful you didn't get involved with someone who would cause you grief later.

God bless!
Wayne J.

One sentence:

"Oh that? Don't worry that's just chammy butter."

Somebody's gotta go offside here...

This may just be me being old-fashioned, but why is everyone so emphatic that you need to make sure you can go to her apartment for 'exercise'? I would recommend meeting the lady and keeping that word in mind. Just be a gentleman. I think with the emphasis in today's society of 'exercise' on dates that so much is lost.

I agree with you man. For real I am looking for holy wedded matrimony and not a fling. If I never go out on a "date" with the lady again I would cry no tears over an evening of laughter and interesting conversation over a good meal with the potential of friendship and networking. Some old fashioned stuff is not so much old as timeless wisdom. Now perhaps I've moved beyond the original topic and become a bit bloggish but I was looking for general pragmatic advice/insight on dating as a bike commuter and not advice on how to score. In all fairness I know people are having a bit of fun which is to be expected on on a silly thread. Bikers come in different "spins" of life and I have something better than morals to preach.


I prefer to show up at social events (i.e not shopping) so that its not obvious I cycled there. This means not only clothing/hygene, but what you say as well.

Cycling is my newest thing, but thankfully my life has been rich enough to talk about a varied range of topics, serious and playful, without mentioning the joys and benefits of riding my faithful steed. Now if she is curious I'll tell her just a bit and let her level of interest lead. She knows I am coming by bike because I needed to explain the reason I wanted to meet in a particular section of the city, and well because I wanted to brag about my new (to me) fitness idea of commuting by bike.

Call me old fashioned but an early evening "date" would not involve showing up on a bicycle even if I were dating the local (female) bike coalition coordinator. Time for the bike later, if there is a later.


I'd tend to agree with the previous posters who said if she was that bothered by the fact that he gets around by bike she's probably not right for him anyway.

If someone's reaction to you riding for transportation is along the lines of "Oh my god, what a dork.", or "Grow up and get a car already.", then isn't it better to know that right off the bat so as not to waste your time on a second date ;).

-Trevor

no shorts. bring your change of clothes and wear something nice for a first date. use deorderant too.

+ 1

Take it from a female commuter. I'd be very impressed that you bike commute but I'd like it if you wore a pair of pants on a first date.

Alox's story might be a reason to bring something like a pair of surgical gloves in case you have to do something on the bike.

Now c'mon, you can't seriously be suggesting that the OP turn up to a date with a pair of surgical gloves. thsi will not go well at all.

Drinking is more or less out of the question so to make up for having to be a boring tee-totaller, perform a series of magic tricks to keep her entertained.\

?????


anyway, i suggest wearing a full outfit of fred safety gear to make sure you get their safely and on time.

Call me old fashioned but an early evening "date" would not involve showing up on a bicycle even if I were dating the local (female) bike coalition coordinator.

Old-fashioned!

(hey, somebody had to do it.)