General Cycling Discussion - Seed

How many "latent cyclists," who used to ride but are discouraged by a society that is largely ignorant of the greatness of cycling, so that they no longer ride, are out there?

The other day while making small-talk with someone at the bus-stop, they mentioned I was not there on certain days that week, and that they noticed me missing. While it felt good to be missed, I said I had ridden my bike to work.

The following week, "Ken," with whom I had talked at the bus stop, said he rode a bicycle on the weekend because of what I had told him about riding to work. Ken said he used to ride a lot in college, doing centuries and such. I never knew it!

Just the mention of my commuting activity rejuvinated a "seed" in Ken. How many others are out there?

:confused:

This past weekend I was in a small town that is just down the road from where I live (big hotspot for roadies) where I passed an elderly lady who looked at my bike and with a smile in her voice said, "I wish I still had my bike."

I should have stopped to talk to her. I would have asked about the type of bicycle she once had. I would have also told her that it isn't impossible, even at her age, to start cycing again. Instead I just smiled and kept turning my pedals. I would call that a missed opportunity to add a new voice to our not so diverse cycling community.

Originally posted by A F Baker
I would call that a missed opportunity to add a new voice to our not so diverse cycling community.
Since it was a small town, your chances of seeing the lady again on another ride are better than average. Here's hoping! :)

Originally posted by Pete Clark
Ken said he used to ride a lot in college, doing centuries and such. I never knew it!
Well, Ken and I chatted some more on the bus and the train this morning. It would appear that beyond planting a seed, I may have found a friend! :)

Good for you, Pete, sometimes finding a common interest turns out that way.

Maybe you'll have found a future riding partner, too.

I was the latent. Did a lot of riding when I was young. Spent what was then (for a kid) a huge amount of money on the best bike I could find, a Raliegh 10 speed. Rode everywhere and from town to town. Rode every bike-a-thon etc. I could find. Then the bike stolen. 20 + years later running hurts my knees. Thought about riding again. Turns out a good friend and his father-in-law had just started trianing for the "Hotter Than Hell" ride here in Texas in August. Talked it up a little bit and another friend GAVE me his older model Raliegh as he had just upgraded. I'm having a blast and always scheming about how to get more saddle time and what new equipment/clothing or whatever I "need" next.

Meanwhile I have made friends here and on the road! What a great deal!! :D