Commuting - Lone Ranger

So, am I the only one who feels a bit like the "Lone Ranger" when it comes to bicycle commuting?

What is it that gets a bicycle commuter started, with everything else seemingly working against him/her, like traffic, public (and sometimes family) opinion, not to mention the basic challenges of bicycle commuting itself? What keeps us going?

What is it that makes us go against the grain?

Since I was a kid, I thought of my bike as a horse. I'm still the master of the running saddle mount and that cool dismount where you swing your right leg over the handlebars and slide your butt off the saddle.

I'm not the Lone Ranger, but I'm often alone on the range. Every so often, I see a fellow pilgrim on his mount, and salute with that little finger-wave off the handlebar. I never saved a village from the evil rancher, but I'm always prepared to help fix a flat or a broken chain.

Did you ever notice that the Lone Ranger wears clothes as tight as a cyclist's?

Hi Ho Silver.
Im still practicing that move where you jump from a first story window onto your mount, and pedal away.

When commuting to work, I am definitely a Lone Ranger. My company employs 1000 workers, and I am the only cyclist. During our busy season, some of the temp workers cycle, but even that is limited to a small handful.

Originally posted by MichaelW
Hi Ho Silver.
Im still practicing that move where you jump from a first story window onto your mount, and pedal away.

Michael - you're making my eyes water :eek:

Richard

I've been dealing with the Lone Ranger syndrome for over 10 years. I think I'm usually looked upon as a some kind of weirdo or somebody who just can't afford a car. I get the "Hey buddy this is America! Everybody has a freakin' car don't ya'a know" kind of attitude. Some folks think it is comical, others just strange. Actually I don't really care what they think. I get a lot of pleasure out of commuting and will probably outlive all those fat a**** in their SUVs. So what?!

I do try to do my part for society. I've lost count on how many times I've stopped to clear the road of a rusty exhuast pipe, lumber in the street, shards of glass, old tools (I keep those and have a nice collection of screwdrivers and wrenches going). I even saw a senior citizen lose their cane once. They had hooked in on the top of the fender of the car, forgot it, got in and drove away. I grabbed it and chased them down for 2 miles. They were shocked when I rolled up with it at the stoplight. Priceless look on their faces. So I guess I do have some Lone Ranger tendencies afterall.:) I won't being doing the jump from the rooftop though. Too risky and potentially painful. I'll leave that the younger daredevil riders.

It's getting easier they just wiped out 8 good parking spaces at work to make 4 handicap spots. It takes the same time on a bike as a car or less if there's traffic. If the weathers good I'm riding especially coming back from lunch in the afternoon. Maybe someday others will catch on. I don't stress on gas prices anymore and I don't feel as dependent on my car.

Originally posted by bikeman
I've been dealing with the Lone Ranger syndrome for over 10 years. I think I'm usually looked upon as a some kind of weirdo or somebody who just can't afford a car. I get the "Hey buddy this is America! Everybody has a freakin' car don't ya'a know" kind of attitude. Some folks think it is comical, others just strange. Actually I don't really care what they think. I get a lot of pleasure out of commuting and will probably outlive all those fat a**** in their SUVs. So what?!

Complete agreement here. If you're having fun, who cares what anybody else thinks?

Cyclists generally get the last laugh, though; I mean, after all, when was the last time your doctor told you to lose weight, cut the cholesterol, relax, and get more exercise? :D

Originally posted by Pete Clark
So, am I the only one who feels a bit like the "Lone Ranger" when it comes to bicycle commuting?



Pete if I get any complaints from farmers about scared sheep, I'll blame you .....
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I caught my self singing a certain song by Jeff Beck as I cycled in this morning... fortunately any attempts at air guitar were prevented by the need to hold onto the handlebars. The sheep didn't look overly appreciative :D

Richard

I don't feel much like a Lone Ranger really. There's quite a few regular cyclists here at work, and there seems to be another one joining the ranks every month. Also, there's a number of cyclists I often meet on my commute. Well, when I say often I mean more than once. I usually slow down, or they do, and we chat while we ride for however long our paths coincide. It's quite nice really, meeting a fellow traveler, conversing for a while, and going our separate ways. It's something that's impossibe commuting by car or motorcycle, and it's something I find supremely civilised and satisfying. Of course, most of the time I'm riding alone, but I'm never lonely.

Originally posted by Allister
I don't feel much like a Lone Ranger really. There's quite a few regular cyclists here at work, and there seems to be another one joining the ranks every month. Also, there's a number of cyclists I often meet on my commute. Well, when I say often I mean more than once. I usually slow down, or they do, and we chat while we ride for however long our paths coincide. It's quite nice really, meeting a fellow traveler, conversing for a while, and going our separate ways. It's something that's impossibe commuting by car or motorcycle, and it's something I find supremely civilised and satisfying. Of course, most of the time I'm riding alone, but I'm never lonely.
Bravo!

Originally posted by Pete Clark
What is it that gets a bicycle commuter started, with everything else seemingly working against him/her, like traffic, public (and sometimes family) opinion, not to mention the basic challenges of bicycle commuting itself? What keeps us going?


All those things working against me is what keeps me going. I've always had a natural instict to resist anything that is told to me enough times for me to get sick of hearing it. Long may that continue.

Basically, if the great unwashed believe I am wrong, that is enough to convince me that I am right.

Originally posted by Oscar
Did you ever notice that the Lone Ranger wears clothes as tight as a cyclist's?
Yes, very sexy...

:D

Originally posted by MichaelW
Hi Ho Silver.
Im still practicing that move where you jump from a first story window onto your mount, and pedal away.
Iron nuts. Has to be.

Lone Ranger . . . Green Hornet . . . Who will show up next, Doc Savage or The Shadow? :D

Originally posted by Green Hornet

Iron nuts. Has to be.

Please refer to the thread "balls" in Joke Section!!! :D

I dunno.

Most times, I feel more like the pigeon in that old cartoon "Catch that pigeon".

Anyone agree?

Originally posted by UncaStuart
Lone Ranger . . . Green Hornet . . . Who will show up next, Doc Savage or The Shadow? :D
:roflmao: