General Cycling Discussion - What's so funny?

Yesterday, as I was riding home from work, I was passed by a young country couple (rednecks). Even though, I, myself was exceeding the speed limit by a bit, they flew by me at an even greater speed. Half a block later I pulled up behind them at a red light, and couldn't help but notice that they were laughing hysterically as they kept turning around to look at me. I think, perhaps, they were laughing at how ironic it was that they required a dual exhaust, deck out pick-up to haul themselves around, where as I was able to travel at the same speeds using a simple human-powered machine.

What could have possibly been so funny?

I've given up trying to understand the redneck mind.

Sometimes I get the distinct impression that people in cars see me riding and think it must be terrible.Why isn't that guy driving a car? or if you're not driving a 4 wheel drive with knobbies you are less than a man....

Originally posted by Steele-Bike
Yesterday, as I was riding home from work, I was passed by a young country couple (rednecks). Even though, I, myself was exceeding the speed limit by a bit, they flew by me at an even greater speed. Half a block later I pulled up behind them at a red light, and couldn't help but notice that they were laughing hysterically as they kept turning around to look at me. I think, perhaps, they were laughing at how ironic it was that they required a dual exhaust, deck out pick-up to haul themselves around, where as I was able to travel at the same speeds using a simple human-powered machine.

What could have possibly been so funny?

Hmmm... maybe they've never seen anyone who didn't have a hunchback, a club foot and who possessed more than 6 teeth?

Were you dressed funny?

Originally posted by Oscar
Were you dressed funny?

That's a matter of opinion. :p

I was dressed in my usual commuting garb...jeans, jacket, helmet, gloves and messenger bag. My co-workers would probably say I look a little funny walking into the office in my bike attire, but I think they look kind of funny, half-asleep, dragging their fat, lazy butts in to work.

Perhaps that is another reason I prefer to ride the nostalgic cruiser bikes (besides for comfort). They turn heads and folks tend to look more at the bike rather than my attire (good thing probably..lol) My bike is only a few years old, but is a cruiser styled bike similar to the oldies. Adding full chrome fenders with flared ends, a old chrome ball headlite, and old chrome spring loaded racks on the front and rear...it appears a blast from the past. Nobody seems to notice the caliper brake system and the 6 speed derailler. Its not just an extremely comfortable bike, but a conversation piece that seems to pull happy childhood memories from idiotic, toothless rednecks and the most serious of cyclists alike. If you are racing, you will appear in place on a racer. If you are riding cross country suicide trails, you will appear in place on a mountain bike. If you are cruisin to work, ride a cruiser and the chuckles may diminish considerably. Although folks should not pay any more attention to cyclists other than granting them their right to ride the same roads...realistically, that is not the world we live in. Here in America, land of the free, home of the brave...we are free to ride what and where we like, if we are brave enough to attempt it. Just laugh at the big 4X4 hillbilly pickup as he pulls up to the gas pumps, and think about the $20 that you still have and the $20 he just spent feeding his gas guzzling mudslinger. Besides, he was probably laughing because you didnt have a 8 foot bed to toss your empty beer cans into...lol. Or maybe he was sober for a change and was laughing at how ugly his girlfriend really was?...who knows........Pix

Originally posted by Steele-Bike


That's a matter of opinion. :p

I was dressed in my usual commuting garb...jeans, jacket, helmet, gloves and messenger bag. My co-workers would probably say I look a little funny walking into the office in my bike attire, but I think they look kind of funny, half-asleep, dragging their fat, lazy butts in to work.

Now, see, if you were like me, an old, fat guy wearing lycra shorts, jersey, little low-cut socks, with stars and stripes bar tape, nobody would think you looked funny at all. :D

I have just realised that people from Ipswich (the redneck capital of Australia) have just three toes. They couldn't see your feet could they?

Thats uncanny!

Ipswich, UK is exactly the same. Their soccer team even has the nickname the The Tractor Boys.

Originally posted by Steele-Bike
What could have possibly been so funny?
Steele, the answer is cut-and-dried.

They are laughing to hide their own sadness, and one day, they will run out of things to laugh at. Now that is sad.

(I don't doubt they fought like dogs with each other after they got home that evening, since you weren't there to help them get over their hatred of their ugly situation.)

Originally posted by Campag Fetish Boy

Ipswich, UK is exactly the same. Their soccer team even has the nickname the The Tractor Boys.

I thought that was because they're just slow.