Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - getting friction for wearing a cycling cap

xxx

http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/sound_sorting/initial_consonants/y/images/yawn.jpg

Learn to meditate. You asked for opinions.

I somehow completely forgot about this since it happened last week, but just remembered and thought I'd see what folks have to say...

I was at an outdoor concert and I'm sitting with a friend, waiting for the next band to come on. I'm was wearing a cycling cap since my hair is getting a bit long and they work well as hair nets; I like them too.

A fella behind me taps me on the shoulder and asks, "Hey, are they giving those hats away for free?" I was nearly positive he was ******** with me and asking for a fist in the mouth, but I thought I'd give him the benefit of the doubt. "Ummm, not that I know of." "Oh, because I just, like, have seen everyone wearing them."

My friend and were just about to move as this happened, so didn't stick around to consider. But, in hindsight, I'd say he was most definitely trying to get under my skin. I was happy that I just blew him off and didn't let his poor attempt at starting friction get to me. I figure he'll try to get cute with the wrong guy sometime soon and get what he deserves. I'm kind of getting past the punch-up stage too, but when a guy needs to be taught a lesson, he needs to be taught a lesson. Plus, this sucker had CVS-box dyed black hair, an awful comb-over hairdo and sweatbands on each wrist, though he was not Patrick Ewing. And, the friend I was with is big, tough, mean, and strong as heck, so it would have been fun to throw my drink in his face, hit him once, then let my buddy give him a nice beating, since he had heard the conversation.

Then things came full circle at the grocery store the next night when I was buying some beer. The checkout kid says, in all sincerity, "Wow, that's a really great hat! Where did you get it?"

That made me happy I just blew the guy off, didn't waste my knuckles and was a sign that being happy and positive is better than being angry and negative.

Anyway, I guess you can let me know if you think the guy was trying to get punched in the face, what you would have done, or anything else you feel relavent. It just amuses me that by wearing a sleek little cap you get messed with.

You're posting come-backs on the internet ... a week later. Sorry, but you lost.

Maybe the guy was genuinely curious. You need to calm down.

Learn to meditate. You asked for opinions.

Does a dog have a buddha nature?

It is unfortunate that making fun/ xenophobia is a common human tendency. It happens everywhere. People feel uncomfortable and tease when something is outside their comfort zone.
That being said, bike gear is alot like gravity, except replace force with coolness. The further away you are from the bike, the less cool it is.
I have a few cycling caps, the universal yellow campy hat and the hat that wesly snipes was wearing in "White Men Can't Jump", so I understand your pain.
Would you tease a guy wearing a fireproof racesuit at the movies? What about a guy carrying a fishing reel at the supermarket? What about a guy in full camoflague and a shotgun at a mall? OK bad example.
Spandex anywhere is not cool, unless you are touching your bike. Caps could be worn when the bike is in sight distance. Same with nonrecessed cleated shoes. Recessed clipless shoes can be worn within 100 yards, as long as you don't sound like a tapdancer when you are walking.
There are a few times when these "guidelines" can be broken, like when you are with a group of riders in a bar, or in my case, wearing my race uniform ( including number) to a fetish party thrown by the art/theatre department ( it's true that in that stage in my life, I looked a little too much like Champion from the Triplets of Belleville with a nosejob, but I also had the best luck ever there(twice)).

Excuse my rambling...to sum it up, if you wear bike clothing and you are not near a bike, get used to friction. Sorry, the hat is dorky.

additionally if you were wearing one with brand advertising on it they are promotional items, promo items you paid for buy they are certianly clearly promo items. a few weeks ago walking down grand a punk of leather punks called me a track bike f*g, i think i was wearing my bag at the time but besides that nothing on me even implied bike riding, i thought it was funny, similarly as lame, similarly as easily ignored, i wish they hadn't used the f word but whatev

i'm not against wearing the hat, i'm just pointing out that branded ones look very promotional and as someone that puts on outdoor events there are always companies that want to hand out promo material, and to a non-bike person the small brim could look cheap/promotional

Wait, people wear "baseball" hats all over the place. Are those dorky? .

Outside the US, yes.
"Baseball is America's National pasttime." If tons of people start wearing cycling caps for the next fifty years, then it will be socially acceptable.
Until then, it's equalivalent to three-legged jeans.

And the above post about promotional items was rather profound, especially for this forum.:D

Does a dog have a buddha nature?

Mu.

Mu.

BING BING BING!

That should be the response.

Do you like your hat? If so, it really shouldn't matter.

I somehow completely forgot about this since it happened last week, but just remembered and thought I'd see what folks have to say...

blah blah blah...3 minutes later

Anyway, I guess you can let me know if you think the guy was trying to get punched in the face, what you would have done, or anything else you feel relavent. It just amuses me that by wearing a sleek little cap you get messed with.
whoa whoa whoa...slow down there, Mr. Dempsey 10-speed!!! Back off the guns. Someone ruffles your feathers and want to start swinging (or at least instigate it and then make your "big friend" finish the job)? Thicken up that skin. Life gets worse.

There are worse things in life than having someone comment on a bike hat at a Radiohead coverband concert or where ever you were. I have never been made fun of or become the target of such shopping center atrocities for wearing a hat of any kind - in the 23 years I have been on bike. I sure am glad you survived.

To think people in parts of the world are complaining about disease and hunger...and right here in our own nation, someone might have made fun of you for wearing a cycling hat.

speechless.

You shoulda socked him. You shoulda socked everyone there.

165: I completely agree with you, but I would consider toning down your rant a bit ( although it was mostly justified and rather tame, considering the circumstance) .Considering your new star, you don't want to become "decaf".

i didnt get asked to do this job because I change who I am.

the OP asked for opinions. he got mine. i did not stalk/attack/etc.

in all honesty, this thread shouldn't even exist in here - it has absolutely nothing to do with fixed gear or single speed cycling whatsoever. like a good deal of the chaff that floats down. but it remains - why? I ask you:

why leave threads in here that are not directly ss/fg related?
there is foo after all.

...And, the friend I was with is big, tough, mean, and strong as heck, so it would have been fun to throw my drink in his face, hit him once, then let my buddy give him a nice beating

...That made me happy I just blew the guy off

...It just amuses me that by wearing a sleek little cap you get messed with.


Umm...this whole story sounds pretty gay to me.




(If you are gay, that's cool. If not, I'd consider not posting stuff like this again.)

I somehow completely forgot about this since it happened last week, but just remembered and thought I'd see what folks have to say...

I was at an outdoor concert and I'm sitting with a friend, waiting for the next band to come on. I'm was wearing a cycling cap since my hair is getting a bit long and they work well as hair nets; I like them too.

A fella behind me taps me on the shoulder and asks, "Hey, are they giving those hats away for free?" I was nearly positive he was ******** with me and asking for a fist in the mouth, but I thought I'd give him the benefit of the doubt. "Ummm, not that I know of." "Oh, because I just, like, have seen everyone wearing them."

My friend and were just about to move as this happened, so didn't stick around to consider. But, in hindsight, I'd say he was most definitely trying to get under my skin. I was happy that I just blew him off and didn't let his poor attempt at starting friction get to me. I figure he'll try to get cute with the wrong guy sometime soon and get what he deserves. I'm kind of getting past the punch-up stage too, but when a guy needs to be taught a lesson, he needs to be taught a lesson. Plus, this sucker had CVS-box dyed black hair, an awful comb-over hairdo and sweatbands on each wrist, though he was not Patrick Ewing. And, the friend I was with is big, tough, mean, and strong as heck, so it would have been fun to throw my drink in his face, hit him once, then let my buddy give him a nice beating, since he had heard the conversation.

Then things came full circle at the grocery store the next night when I was buying some beer. The checkout kid says, in all sincerity, "Wow, that's a really great hat! Where did you get it?"

That made me happy I just blew the guy off, didn't waste my knuckles and was a sign that being happy and positive is better than being angry and negative.

Anyway, I guess you can let me know if you think the guy was trying to get punched in the face, what you would have done, or anything else you feel relavent. It just amuses me that by wearing a sleek little cap you get messed with.

give him a throat jab or shut the fu(k up. Dont act like your not an assh0le

stop caring and if that doesn't work turn your walkman up louder it helps

Does a dog have a buddha nature?


MU!

(now please to consider that and roll it in your mind with the urgency of an iron ball on fire in your belly)

lolwtf

who punches people?

Umm...this whole story sounds pretty gay to me.
(If you are gay, that's cool. If not, I'd consider not posting stuff like this again.)

not cool with you apparently. because you still use 'gay' as a pejorative.

not cool with you apparently. because you still use 'gay' as a pejorative.

No. I mean gay as in GAY. Not as in "unacceptable".

"pejorative": Good one. I had to look it up.

not cool with you apparently. because you still use 'gay' as a pejorative.

Yeah that's pretty gay man...

Does a dog have a buddha nature?
http://www.culturevulture.net/ArtandArch/moriyama_stray.jpg

Spandex anywhere is not cool, unless you are touching your bike. Caps could be worn when the bike is in sight distance. Same with nonrecessed cleated shoes. Recessed clipless shoes can be worn within 100 yards, as long as you don't sound like a tapdancer when you are walking.

Very true. THe only time you look acceptable wearing that gear is on or near a bike. Otherwise you look like a dork. Although I wear whatever I like, even if it is dorkey. Funny though that the only bike related gear that has made it to mainstream culture is the messenger bag, look how many people use those!! Oh and rolling up your right pant leg, somehow the homies took that and made it a gang thing.... go figure.

I know my cycling caps look dorky. my friends aren't afraid to tell me, and I'm not afraid to admit it, but I wear them all the time because I've yet to find a simple head covering that takes up less space in my pocket. I like that I can fold them up and put them in my pocket, I like the fact that the soak up sweat, keep the rain off my bare scalp, and shield the sun from my eyes. I like the fact that if I wanna look EXTRA dorky, all I have to do is flip the bill up. I wear them more than 100 feet from my bike, but rarely since I'm rarely more than 100 feet from my bike.

If you're afraid of ridicule, you probably shouldn't wear dorky looking clothes. if on the other hand you don't give a damn what people think of your fashion sense, wear whatever makes you comfortable.

dont forget the good ol fanny pack. Totally fine for a cyclist to wear but somehow it just looks wrong on fat midwestern housewives.

dont forget the good ol fanny pack. Totally fine for a cyclist to wear but somehow it just looks wrong on fat midwestern housewives.

Fanny packs look wrong on everyone, and don't kid yourself otherwise, but they do get the job done.

Fanny packs are totally unacceptable unless you are a midwestern housewife.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8388/invasion7nz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Fanny packs look wrong on everyone, and don't kid yourself otherwise, but they do get the job done.
exactly. dry back > looking goofy

instead of a $30 reload 'hip pack' i just bought a plain black $3 one from the thrift store, and wrap the strap around one arm of the ulock and then over the other. works really well

It is unfortunate that making fun/ xenophobia is a common human tendency. <snip>

Excuse my rambling...to sum it up, if you wear bike clothing and you are not near a bike, get used to friction. Sorry, the hat is dorky.


Uh, Ok... I feel the same way about people with baseball caps who are not actuly playing baseball. Frontward or backwards.

I would needle someone with a cycling cap, you bet I would, but I would be doing it to strike up a conversation not to be mean or would I expect to get punched in the nose for it.

Uh, Ok... I feel the same way about people with baseball caps who are not actuly playing baseball. Frontward or backwards.

I would needle someone with a cycling cap, you bet I would, but I would be doing it to strike up a conversation not to be mean or would I expect to get punched in the nose for it.


Baseball caps worn backwards remind me of goofball kid on the Fat Albert cartoons, fannypacks are actually usefull if your cycling long distance in the heat, holds 2 water bottles, one on each hip, better then a hydration backpacks.

last night i was at the 'hipster' bar in town. there were probably a dozen kids wearing these things. i had no idea it was some sort of fad. most ridiculous **** ever.

....Oh and rolling up your right pant leg, somehow the homies took that and made it a gang thing.... go figure.

ok, my sarcasm meter is busted today. you can't be serious...

I made a deal with me to read just the OP, but it just sez xxx or porn I guess.

I wear a hat when I want, any hat at all that I happen to have, **** what people think of my hat, it's MY hat. No one can give you too much friction if you don't give a damn about an opinion expressed just to be mean or rude, self-respect/confidence is like social teflon, let 'em say wha they want, as soon as it appears to be mean etc, break eye contact and go back to whatever the hell you were doing before like they don't exist..and they won't

ok, my sarcasm meter is busted today. you can't be serious...

true, why else would you roll up your right pant leg unless you're riding a bike with no chainguard? I see lots of home boys here in NYC with rolled up right pant legs just walking the streets... kinda funny actually

Does a dog have a buddha nature?

Dogon would have gone all Zazen on that cats @ss. Don't let the robes fool you. Most Zen dudes will throw down!

true, why else would you roll up your right pant leg unless you're riding a bike with no chainguard? I see lots of home boys here in NYC with rolled up right pant legs just walking the streets... kinda funny actually

this is truly hilarious, they've been doing that for decades, man. it has absolutely nothing to do with emulating white kids on bikes. where i grew up, one leg rolled up = looking to buy.

....come on, you have to be trolling.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Chill.

I think the OP should have handled the situation more aggressively. Here's how I would have handled it.


A friend and I are sitting at a concert. I self consciously pull my cycling cap from my back pocket and put it on my head. Somewhere in the distance I hear someone laugh...I'm sure they are laughing at my cycling cap so I shout out...Is someone laughing at my cap? No more laughter...my threat has quieted that joker.


All of a sudden a guy behind me goes on the attack....Are they giving those caps away? I turn to stare down the guy who is mocking me. He is smiling but he can't fool me. I squint my eyes in my best Clint Eastwood voice I say Do you feel lucky? .....Do you punk?

Well he doesn't know what to say to that and I'm tempted to beat him up but I think I'll leave that to another guy who will one day beat him up for making a smart comment. I give him one last squinty eyed look and then move to a different area because I probably would have moved anyway.

As I squint into the crowd it seems that everyone is staring at my cap. I'm just waiting for someone to laugh.....Go ahead make my day I think to myself

I make a mental note to myself to bring one of those little cigars and a poncho to the next concert.


Vindication comes later in the day as I'm in the store buying some of those little cigars. The clerk says Where'd you get that cap? Ah sweet victory!

this is truly hilarious, they've been doing that for decades, man. it has absolutely nothing to do with emulating white kids on bikes. where i grew up, one leg rolled up = looking to buy.

....come on, you have to be trolling.

i'm with you man. that comment cracked me up. isn't one side rolled for buying and another for selling? or am i wrong? in addition i have also heard it's "one leg up on the white man", but i'm pretty sure that is due to the aforementioned reason.

i'm with you man. that comment cracked me up. isn't one side rolled for buying and another for selling? or am i wrong? in addition i have also heard it's "one leg up on the white man", but i'm pretty sure that is due to the aforementioned reason.

Actually I've heard that that all started because dealers would ride bikes.

yaaaaaaaaaa dun....if it bothered you all the way up till now you shoulda knocked that b!tch out...but yo you never call **** on and expect your tuff guy friend to clear it up for you...thats kinna wack...I wouldnt even have mentioned that part of the story...you wanna fight its your fight...if you lose Ill pull him off when youre ready but I aint gonna fight one guy wit you...you call it on...thats your fight...more guys come...its our fight...MAN UP!

i have also heard it's "one leg up on the white man", but i'm pretty sure that is due to the aforementioned reason.

HA i'd never heard that. +1 on the latter.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8388/invasion7nz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)






I refuse to watch this thread slip into another pointless debate without bumping Donald Sutherland.

Brilliant

lolwtf

who punches people?

+1

i bet this cat recently side-swpied a car in portland...

[insert eye-roll smiley...]

dont forget the good ol fanny pack. Totally fine for a cyclist to wear but somehow it just looks wrong on fat midwestern housewives.
Silly boy, all women have fannies....