General Cycling Discussion - Biker's spirit...

Every morning that I drive to University around 7am (believe me, I would have biked if I could), I see this woman on her bike on the side of the high way.

She is almost always there, pedaling away. Every time I see her I admire her and her spirits lift me spirits up. Every time I don't see her, I get a little sad and hope she is ok.

I bet not even one out of thirty of drivers that pass her even care. But I guess it's a bikers thing.

I understand the feeling Amir. Everytime I see someone on the road or with bikes loaded on their vehicle, it gives me a thrill. I don't know why, I can't explain it, but it does. Especially when I'm on my way to ride. Biker's Spirit as you put it, explains it as well as anything. Ride on. DG

Bikers spirit defines us and why we are a more evolved species than the motoring primate. Only yesterday I offered assistance to another cyclist who had a minor mechanical failure. I know bugger all about a lot of faults, but between us we managed to get it fixed. In the past when I've had problems, I have been offered assistance by other cyclists too.

Motorists simply do not do this sort of thing for each other.

As usual Chris L is spot on. (I would have to say motorcyclists always stop to help other motorcyclists)

I always check out the bikes I see passing me, either on the back of a car on the motorway or being ridden. In fact, it can get a bit dangerous, bombing along on a busy motorway at 70+ mph, craning to see what types of bikes are on the car next to me! :o

Ellie

I always check out the bikes I see passing me,

I try to do the same. The problem is, sometimes the female bikers think that I'm some kind of letch checking out their legs when I'm just trying to read the brand name on the bike.

If I have my bike rack on the car they seem to understand. I'm thinking of keeping my helmet in the car so I can wave it at the other bikers - kind of "Hey, I'm one of you!"

Those triathlete types. Going down coastal highway, couple times have seen women triathletes- in -training, stopped because of mechanical problems. Hate to pick on Triathlete types; but a female in distress in not cause enough to stop their training to help a fellow cyclists with a problem. I know their training is serious stuff. Can always get the bus home.
Anyway, notice how we stop to help a female triathlete in a minor predictment, where a male, just yell out- you ok,? hoping not to hear from them. Have stopped twice to help a female triathlete, after her group was long gone. Told her she should take up touring. Biker's spirit. I always believed, "If it is not fun, to hell with it."

Originally posted by Amir R. Pakdel
...I guess it's a bikers thing.
Great post. :thumbup:

Bicycling is a human challenge, involving so much more depth of the human spirit and consciousness. Cycling builds the spirit, mind and body. This is why we admire each other. (Heck, I even have a thing for sidewalk cyclists! ;) )

Driving adds nothing to the spirit, mind or body. That's why you need "surround sound," and a number of other distractions. Cars just shout, "I hate this, get me home; or make me think I'm there already, if that helps." That's why motorists don't wave at each other and smile: they're all mad about being stuck behind the wheel miles from home.

Driving will never provide the depth of rewards cycling does.

Keep on waving to those fellow pioneers.

Try to show pity to those poor motorists. They know not what they are missing!

This is an interesting post . I see this type of situation a lot in the paddling circles that I frequent. We'll be driving down the the highway with the kayaks on the roof and anyone else with a kayak or canoe on the roof waves at you and honks the horn like you were long lost buddies. I think this phenomenon is common in any sport where people have like minded attitudes and interests. The same thing happens on ski trails in the winter. It's too bad that this doesn't always flow over into everyday life for everyone.

I'm sure glad that it happens somewhere. I figure the more we do it the more other people will continue it on. "Pay it forward: as they say.
:)
Let's all become contagious:D

Originally posted by MikeR
The problem is, sometimes the female bikers think that I'm some kind of letch checking out their legs when I'm just trying to read the brand name on the bike.


I know! 999 guys out of 1000 would be, but I'm checking out the bike!

[with apologies for drifting off topic, and mildly ranting]

There's a difference between admiring Beauty and letchery imo.

To be honest I'm a little confused as to why a women would be offended by a man admiring her body. It's actually a compliment and it's only this fear of being branded a ****** or something that stops men voicing the compliment - what woman wouldn't be flattered by being told she's beautiful?

On the road, time limitations mean that all I can do give an admiring look, and perhaps a smile and a wave. My advice to the ladies is to accept the compliment with grace, and maybe even smile back. Speaking as a man, you have no idea how much that lifts our spirits. Everyone comes away from the encounter feeling a little better than before, and THAT'S why we live together in a society.

For me, there are few things in life more attractive than a beautiful woman on a bike, and I don't see why I should be ashamed to say that, nor why I should avert my eyes when every instinct is screaming at me to drink in the view, nor why I should have to divert suspicion by spouting some crap about 'admiring the bike', nor why I should be treated with suspicion for it at all.

Frankly, I'm more than a little fed up with this 'all men are b@stards' talk that has been pervading our culture for far too long. All men are not b@stards. Please let's go back to the idea of assuming people are nice until they prove otherwise. No-one even makes eye contact any more.

I'm also confused why men get all competitive when they come up behind a lady cyclist and must pass (I admit to feeling this myself at times). I for one am happy to sit in behind for any length of time. It beats looking at tailpipes. Of course ettiquette demands that I take a turn in front, and I'm happy to do that too, even though all I can offer them is a large wind shadow and not much in the way of a view (or rather, too much view, if you get my meaning).

And I always carry a handkerchief to wipe the drool from my chin ;)

Originally posted by MikeR




If I have my bike rack on the car they seem to understand. I'm thinking of keeping my helmet in the car so I can wave it at the other bikers - kind of "Hey, I'm one of you!"

Well I've said it before..and I'll say it again...Cars = magic .. the driver turns a key and .....PooF !! they turn from humans into A$$holes !!!! .. move over Copperfield they're in an S.U.V and they're comin' to getcha !!

Originally posted by Allister
[with apologies for drifting off topic, and mildly ranting]

For me, there are few things in life more attractive than a beautiful woman on a bike, and I don't see why I should be ashamed to say that, nor why I should avert my eyes when every instinct is screaming at me to drink in the view, nor why I should have to divert suspicion by spouting some crap about 'admiring the bike', nor why I should be treated with suspicion for it at all.

I for one am happy to sit in behind for any length of time. It beats looking at tailpipes.

And I always carry a handkerchief to wipe the drool from my chin ;)

:lol: I totally agree! The other day on the way home, I decided to stay behind and admire the view!!! (But not tooooo long mind)!

Originally posted by Ellie
I always check out the bikes I see passing me, either on the back of a car on the motorway or being ridden. In fact, it can get a bit dangerous, bombing along on a busy motorway at 70+ mph, craning to see what types of bikes are on the car next to me! :o

Ellie

And I thought it was just me!

Rich :love:

Gosh. Even a car without a bike on its' bike rack will get my attention. Wonder if a Mustang would merit a Litespeed?

The other day, while motoring along, I saw a female cyclist who's chain was thrown off the sprocket. She picked up the chain with her fingers and got it on the chainring, then looked at her greasy hand. She was trying to wipe her hand on a light pole when I pulled over with a moistened towlette for her (yes sometimes guys have them). She was very startled by me at first, then realized that I was up to no harm. She thanked me kindly and said that she was pedaling to a job interview, and that dirty hands wouldn't do.

I didn't mention that I was a cyclist in disguise, so maybe now she has an elevated opinion of motorists (or men in general).

Originally posted by Buddy Hayden
Well I've said it before..and I'll say it again...Cars = magic .. the driver turns a key and .....PooF !! they turn from humans into A$$holes !!!! .. move over Copperfield they're in an S.U.V and they're comin' to getcha !!

I wonder if my posts on 'small penis syndrome' survived the server crash?