most girls put my bike in their trunk.


"I hope you've got a big trunk, because I'm putting my bike in it"

Az

Heterosexual mating practices baffle me.

Homosexual mating rituals baffle me.

Oh wait, I meant to say human mating rituals baffle me.

Az

Anyone lived in both the US and Oz who can comment? Or maybe there's no difference in Oz?

I married an Australian that managed without a license for 42 years. They have much better public transport.

Heterosexual mating practices baffle me.
Me, too! (and I'm a het :eek:)

humans baffle me.

Dunno about hate, but there is a distinct odor of ego about the whole thing. Sorry OP, but if you weren't trolling, then it's a little self centered.



Ah! Not so much self centered, just.... Auzzie Male. Extra points for anyone who can explain the difference. Don't take that wrong, there is a difference, just can't quite put it into words!

Me, too! (and I'm a het :eek:)

A man says he understands women from his wedding day until the day of his divorce. Any other time in his life he thinks he's confused.

What is this "love life" of which you speak????

Me, too! (and I'm a het :eek:)
humans baffle me.

Hmm, I sense the makings of a new support group :D

My girlfriend doesn't have a car either. We either walk, bike, or bus everywhere. Occasionally we'll get a drive to somewhere from her mom or her mom's boyfriend if they're not busy. We never rely on the car, it's just an occasional time saver, if we can't get a drive we always had a different plan in mind in the first place.

My girlfriend loves riding her bicycle, and once upon a time she and her mom used to do all their groceries that way. Any time I mention going for a ride, even to the store to get groceries, she immediately wants to come along and help me haul stuff - just for the ride and the company.

I see no reason you would need a car to emotionally connect with someone - if they share your values they'll understand your car-free choices, if not - maybe you're barking up the wrong tree in the first place?

One thing to keep in mind is that, as you grow older, a cycling fool is more likely to attract due to their level of health. I notice (now that I'm in my mid-50s...) that there are many middle-aged men and women who look like their love lives must be non-existent, just because they can barely move. Frankly, that isn't normally a problem with any half-way healthy carfree person.

A man says he understands women from his wedding day until the day of his divorce. Any other time in his life he thinks he's confused.

So true.

...

I do not know how to respond to this. No woman has ever wanted me and no woman ever will.

Same here.

the original post was a classic. more! more!

After 4 years car-free, I still get the occasional "What happened -- DUI?" Around here, a car is the measuring stick of stability (as well as the bucket for upholding obesity). If you have a car and a cell phone w/ camera, you are worth having...a conversation with. If you ride a bike ANYwhere but to the park on a Saturday in June or July, you are a freak. The number of times I've had to explain clipless pedals....

I don't go clubbing, don't have a line of bull**** that impresses the ladies, don't pay attention to fashions, and don't really care. I have a beautiful and loving daughter, and I have my bike. Wouldn't want to part with either of them. And the woman that will get between me and either of them hasn't set foot on the planet! I honestly am to the point in my life where any woman I meet is going to come with more baggage than I want to deal with (I have enough of my OWN!). Support? Better be self-sufficient. What can you do for me? Only one thing I can't do for myself, because I'm not anatomically designed that way. Companionship? That's a give-and-take, and I have precious little to give, and wouldn't take enough to keep you around. Sure, two people living harmoniously and joyfully is a beautiful thing. But...

...so is one. When my daughter strikes out on her own, I may just sign the house over to her, keep a room, and spend every spare waking moment pedaling. Nothing else has ever been as fulfilling, except being a dad, and that can't last forever.

After 4 years car-free, I still get the occasional "What happened -- DUI?" Around here, a car is the measuring stick of stability (as well as the bucket for upholding obesity). If you have a car and a cell phone w/ camera, you are worth having...a conversation with. If you ride a bike ANYwhere but to the park on a Saturday in June or July, you are a freak. The number of times I've had to explain clipless pedals....

Where do you live, exactly?

After 4 years car-free, I still get the occasional "What happened -- DUI?" Around here, a car is the measuring stick of stability (as well as the bucket for upholding obesity). If you have a car and a cell phone w/ camera, you are worth having...a conversation with. If you ride a bike ANYwhere but to the park on a Saturday in June or July, you are a freak. The number of times I've had to explain clipless pedals....

I don't go clubbing, don't have a line of bull**** that impresses the ladies, don't pay attention to fashions, and don't really care. I have a beautiful and loving daughter, and I have my bike. Wouldn't want to part with either of them. And the woman that will get between me and either of them hasn't set foot on the planet! I honestly am to the point in my life where any woman I meet is going to come with more baggage than I want to deal with (I have enough of my OWN!). Support? Better be self-sufficient. What can you do for me? Only one thing I can't do for myself, because I'm not anatomically designed that way. Companionship? That's a give-and-take, and I have precious little to give, and wouldn't take enough to keep you around. Sure, two people living harmoniously and joyfully is a beautiful thing. But...

...so is one. When my daughter strikes out on her own, I may just sign the house over to her, keep a room, and spend every spare waking moment pedaling. Nothing else has ever been as fulfilling, except being a dad, and that can't last forever.

You pretty much just described my town and my life, except for having a daughter. Here, biking instead of driving is pretty much guaranteed female repellent, which is precisely why I wouldn't care to be with a woman from here anyway. As a result, I enjoy being alone now.

I have some friends who are car free. It's totally fine if they make those decisions but sometimes women can't put up with it. This is NOT because all women are gold diggers, but more because a lot of car free people seem to want rides to faraway places and when one partner is doing all the driving around while the other partner is biking and saving his or her money then requesting to be driven everywhere, it's unequal. In relationships if my girl doesn't have a car she can put in for gas.

The times of day I commute and the distances are absolutely impossible for a bicyclist unless you know somebody who can do 75 mph at 2 am for an hour ;)

You pretty much just described my town and my life, except for having a daughter. Here, biking instead of driving is pretty much guaranteed female repellent, which is precisely why I wouldn't care to be with a woman from here anyway. As a result, I enjoy being alone now.

Me too

try an asian woman (imported not Americanized). They seem to think its cool. they kinday understand the value in riding a bicycle.

Not to change the subject here, but might the fact that you're an Aussie have a lot to do with the different experience with car-free relationships than the predominantly (sorry Canucks) US posters here. The US is arguably the most materialistic society on earth (yes, I do live in the States), and with the least social safety net of any developed nation. Do these factors significantly increase citizen's (including potential partners') focus on car ownership as a prerequisite for a relationship? Anyone lived in both the US and Oz who can comment? Or maybe there's no difference in Oz?

Australia is basically state 51. There are probably some parts of the country where women don't care about driving -- that's great if you live in Byron Bay or Mullumbimby and specifically want a single mother. If you live in any of the cities, forget it -- although a criminal record might provide you with a way in, given the way Australian women seem to swoon over the "bad boy" types. Evidently Martin Bryant (who shot 35 people in a massacre in 1996) gets tons of fan mail from Australian women, but I digress.

Actually, most Australian guys looking for a woman these days (including those that have cars) are following the approach of the post above mine, and seeking out foreign women. It's interesting to note all the whining in the tabloid "newspapers" over here on the topic of the so-called man shortage. The pattern seems to be that the women treat the men like dirt when they're in their 20's (except for the "bad boys"), then these women hit 30 with a couple of kids, and suddenly realise that the "bad boys" aren't relationship or marriage material. The trouble is by this time, all those men they rejected have travelled and actually met women who are relationship material for the first time in their lives, and have no intention of coming back. And those that are still around have no intention of paying the bills for someone else's kids. Hence one of the most farcical dating situations in the world.

Rant over.

Chris, I'd like to offer my side of the US/Aussie marriage situation. My Newcastle girl never had a license, and didn't think we needed a car when I moved there. She was happy to walk, and take a bus or cab everywhere. I eventually got her on a bike. But when we moved to the US, she needed a car. Actually, she rode the bus to work, but I got her a 4WD for the winter. Geographically and culturally, it's much harder to be car-free in the US than Oz.

I spent a Summer in Queensland (2003), where we were basically car-free. We were able to take buses to 90% of where we wanted to go. The last 2 weeks 4 of us rented a camper-van, but that was mainly to save on hotel costs. :lol:

I can tell you that Queensland-Brisbane area is WAY different that rural (or urban) Iowa. Even rural Queensland is a lot different than rural Iowa. The Australian women, although slightly different, were still confusing women. :roflmao2:

The Australian women, although slightly different, were still confusing women. :roflmao2:

No comment.

Ya, and how do you get the girl back to your place, bungee her to the rack?

I have had a date follow me home in their car while on my bike from the bar a couple of times. No need for rack or bungee.

Chris, I'd like to offer my side of the US/Aussie marriage situation. My Newcastle girl never had a license, and didn't think we needed a car when I moved there. She was happy to walk, and take a bus or cab everywhere. I eventually got her on a bike. But when we moved to the US, she needed a car. Actually, she rode the bus to work, but I got her a 4WD for the winter. Geographically and culturally, it's much harder to be car-free in the US than Oz.

Sounds like you got lucky. There are exceptions to every rule in the known universe, or maybe people in Newcastle are less pretentious than those on the Gold Coast -- that wouldn't surprise me a great deal. My experience has been quite different, and it's not as if I have any trouble getting around on my bike or give women any crap about their transport choices. In truth it doesn't bother me as much these days. With the failure rate in relationships in this country being around 90%, I realised from the start that finding a good woman in Australia really is needle in a haystack stuff.

I spent a Summer in Queensland (2003), where we were basically car-free. We were able to take buses to 90% of where we wanted to go. The last 2 weeks 4 of us rented a camper-van, but that was mainly to save on hotel costs. :lol:

I can tell you that Queensland-Brisbane area is WAY different that rural (or urban) Iowa. Even rural Queensland is a lot different than rural Iowa. The Australian women, although slightly different, were still confusing women. :roflmao2:

Where did you live that this happened? Last time I tried to rely on buses in Brisbane was a day of job interviews five years ago -- of the five buses I'd been intending to catch that day, three didn't show up at all, and the fourth was 15 minutes late. I ended up either walking or using taxis that day -- and only got by because I'd allowed enough time for things to go wrong. I vowed from then that I wouldn't rely on those anymore. The situation on the Gold Coast is alright only if you live within a couple of blocks of the Gold Coast Highway, otherwise, forget about it. The buses to the other suburbs don't even run at all during the hours people are coming home from work -- it's a complete joke.

Even the train between the Gold Coast and Brisbane seems to have a permanent "major track work" disruption these days. Sometimes I find it quicker and easier to just ride the 90km on my bike.

My 2 cents:

I met my wife while I was car free. In fact we first got to know each other because she drove me home from a party as a favor to the common friend who drove me there. She called me the next day to say that if I ever needed a ride I was to call her before anyone else :love:

At one point I rented a car for a weekend getaway in the mountains for us.

I guess what I'm saying is: in the first place roll with it and see what comes by, in the second don't forget the lessons you need for other situations in which a car is a temporary necessity (like an injury) and rent one.

Of course: as I fell for a woman who wasn't car-free, I am now car-lite. If that would bother you then keep it in mind; myself I love my woman car or not.

Where did you live that this happened? Last time I tried to rely on buses in Brisbane was a day of job interviews five years ago -- of the five buses I'd been intending to catch that day, three didn't show up at all, and the fourth was 15 minutes late. I ended up either walking or using taxis that day -- and only got by because I'd allowed enough time for things to go wrong. I vowed from then that I wouldn't rely on those anymore. The situation on the Gold Coast is alright only if you live within a couple of blocks of the Gold Coast Highway, otherwise, forget about it. The buses to the other suburbs don't even run at all during the hours people are coming home from work -- it's a complete joke.

Even the train between the Gold Coast and Brisbane seems to have a permanent "major track work" disruption these days. Sometimes I find it quicker and easier to just ride the 90km on my bike.

Well we were at the UQ in Gatton. I know we bused into Brisbane on several occasions. I believe we also bused into Toowoomba once. I think we watched an Australian Rules Football game there.

I could be completely wrong on the bus system in Australia. I was only 20 years old at the time, and very impressionable. :lol:

I live in SOCAL and when I was car free it was an absolute disaster for dating. I dated many women, but as soon as they realized you didn't have a car, they dumped you like you were a real loser as you absolutely need a car in SOCAL as every thing is at least 30 to 50 miles apart. You have to live in the burbs where it is safe, and work in the city, that is the only way it work s here.

Where do you live, exactly?

'Bout a couple hunnert miles n/west of you, across the border, in the Hoosier Hole--I mean State.

My town was voted one of the 'Fattest Cities in America' a couple years back. Another reason I'm not worried about dating. When a girl younger than my adult daughters has rolls like the Michelin Man, there's a problem.

There's another website where I found a list of reasons "Why Bicycles Are Better Than Women".

It's on my bedroom wall. Hilarious!

That is normally not the case in the American suburbs./ Still , I think for everyone is a soulmate out there. You will find her with time. Maybe hang out at bike clubs.

My great-grandmother used to say, "There's no pot so crooked that no lid will fit." (I'm told that it sounds much more idiomatic in Pennsylvania Dutch than in English.)

So what happens when you show up to your date on a summer night having just ridden 8 miles in 88% humidity? No one wants to hang out with a sweaty nasty guy. And what about clothes? riding in clothes = sweat... showing up to date in basketball shorts and a tee-shirt = failure. It doesn't really seem practical... someone solve these problems!

So what happens when you show up to your date on a summer night having just ridden 8 miles in 88% humidity? No one wants to hang out with a sweaty nasty guy. And what about clothes? riding in clothes = sweat... showing up to date in basketball shorts and a tee-shirt = failure. It doesn't really seem practical... someone solve these problems!


on a personal note I like sweaty guys.


simple solution, carry a backpack or messenger bag with you. Have a rack? Put some clean clothes in a duffel and strap it to the rack and change when you get there.

As far as relationships goes my boyfriend is car free and i rarely ever use my car at all. Our first dates were bike rides up to a local park to watch the sunset. Actually when I found out my boyfriend was car free it wasn't a turn off at all, it was the exact opposite. We just ride together everywhere, some of the best times we have ever shared together have been on bikes:love:

biking to the sunset

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b386/thenessaheart/bike.jpg

So what happens when you show up to your date on a summer night having just ridden 8 miles in 88% humidity? No one wants to hang out with a sweaty nasty guy. And what about clothes? riding in clothes = sweat... showing up to date in basketball shorts and a tee-shirt = failure. It doesn't really seem practical... someone solve these problems!

Taxi? Anyway, I doubt I'd bother dating a woman who had a problem with me being car-free, and most likely an understanding woman would also understand that this involves sweating. Also, it shouldn't be a big deal to freshen up a little once you get there. Before air conditioning, sweating was actually recognized as a natural thing instead of something completely unacceptable. That being said, I HATE summer here. :D

So what happens when you show up to your date on a summer night having just ridden 8 miles in 88% humidity? No one wants to hang out with a sweaty nasty guy. And what about clothes? riding in clothes = sweat... showing up to date in basketball shorts and a tee-shirt = failure. It doesn't really seem practical... someone solve these problems!

I have a date tonight, after a hot summer day with high humidity. My plan is after the concert we'll bike to her place and take a shower together to cool down and rinse the sweat off. She may have other ideas, we'll see what happens.

Nessa, you are one of those women that are impossibly hot in so many ways. I wish there were more like you.

I wish there were more like you.

Brian, thank you for making me blush over the internet, but as far as other girls who like bikes, you only need to look in the bike lane :)

Brian, thank you for making me blush over the internet, but as far as other girls who like bikes, you only need to look in the bike lane :)

Girls on bikes where I live are either too young, or too LDS. Sadly, my local Buddhist temple was no help - the parking lot has more than its fair share of Mercedes and Lexus. But little 70 year old Japanese ladies adore me.

Brian, thank you for making me blush over the internet, but as far as other girls who like bikes, you only need to look in the bike lane :)

I can assure you that there are never any women like you in the bike lanes here. And that's probably for the best; our bike lanes are just about the most dangerous place to ride in town.

Girls on bikes where I live are either too young, or too LDS.

Too LDS? In my experience, most LDS girls would appreciate a man who valued, appreciated, and respected them as something more than a factory for producing more LDS brats.

Too LDS? In my experience, most LDS girls would appreciate a man who valued, appreciated, and respected them as something more than a factory for producing more LDS brats.

Perhaps. But they also have certain religious beliefs that are a definite deal breaker.

You guys make it sound like only men get sweaty when they bike. Women do, too, you know. :rolleyes:

Sure, but guys don't generally notice scent, unless it's quite intense.

Plus, from what I've seen women don't sweat half as much as men. I start sweating on my commute when the temperature reaches 70-ish.

You guys make it sound like only men get sweaty when they bike. Women do, too, you know. :rolleyes:

That's called "sheen". It's best when accompanied by "afterglow". :innocent:

Perhaps. But they also have certain religious beliefs that are a definite deal breaker.

Relgious beliefs are subject to change. You weren't raised Buddhist, were you?

You guys make it sound like only men get sweaty when they bike. Women do, too, you know. :rolleyes:

Horses sweat.
Men perspire.
Ladies glow.

I live in SOCAL and when I was car free it was an absolute disaster for dating. I dated many women, but as soon as they realized you didn't have a car, they dumped you like you were a real loser as you absolutely need a car in SOCAL as every thing is at least 30 to 50 miles apart. You have to live in the burbs where it is safe, and work in the city, that is the only way it work s here.
Any woman who judges me because of the transportation I've chosen isn't worthy of me. I'm not going to change who I am or give up things that are important to me in order to find a life's companion.
So what happens when you show up to your date on a summer night having just ridden 8 miles in 88% humidity? No one wants to hang out with a sweaty nasty guy. And what about clothes? riding in clothes = sweat... showing up to date in basketball shorts and a tee-shirt = failure. It doesn't really seem practical... someone solve these problems!
You've got a number of options.

Have her meet you by bike at a half-way point. From there, ride together to your destination.
Take the transit if possible. It's not available where I live.
Bring a backpack with a change of clothes. When you get there, clean up and change clothes.
If you're car-light, drive to her place this time and have her pick you up next time.

There are probably other options you'll think up. The most important thing is to find a solution that works for both of you.

Relgious beliefs are subject to change. You weren't raised Buddhist, were you?

If you hope or expect someone to change, the relationship is doomed. Either way, we seem to be lacking in cyclists here. In Australia, not having a car didn't carry the social stigma is does in a lot of the US.

You've got a number of options.

Have her meet you by bike at a half-way point. From there, ride together to your destination.
Take the transit if possible. It's not available where I live.
Bring a backpack with a change of clothes. When you get there, clean up and change clothes.
If you're car-light, drive to her place this time and have her pick you up next time.

There are probably other options you'll think up. The most important thing is to find a solution that works for both of you.

It depends on what you are going to do for a date.

Picknick in the park is one thing.
Dinner in a casual restaurant and then a movie is another.
Going to a fancy restaurant and then to the opera is another entirely.

Plus, from what I've seen women don't sweat half as much as men. I start sweating on my commute when the temperature reaches 70-ish.

Horses sweat.
Men perspire.
Ladies glow.



:roflmao2: