General Cycling Discussion - I really dislike people that...

Dont understand what biking is all about. I tell my friends about something I got for my bike or where my bike is at (I took it in for a check up) and they just didnt understand. I bought a new cyclo-computer and they couldnt justifiy being a computer for a bike. Personally, I'd like to know how far im riding. Also, they know how much i spent on my 2 bikes and they freak out and say i could have bought this or that or something else. But not 1000 bucks on bikes! (haha i have 2 bikes for 1000 bucks!) They arent the greatest and when i try to show them my dream bike, the new colnago with full campy. They freak at the 5000 dollar price tag. I have no friends that ride so it kinda sucks. Do yall have any friends like this? and how do you handle them? I tend to get real defensive and call my friends lazy lol

I know exactly how you feel. I also hate the guys who say your bike isnt good enough or seem to know everything ...
I look at it this way, we all have cycling in common, at least here we do...
So why insult one another and belittle what one chooses to ride.
As for the outside world I am in the same boat, the friends and family I do have dont understand me spending so much on my cycling, my gear and other things I may find that I like for my bike, I pretty much say the same as you and tell them to ride or shut up LOL
Dont worry about it Hammer, you have a few of us here that will be your friend and show interest in what you ride, how far and so on.
Keep posting and ride safe :)

HAHAHA i dont think anyone here understands our bianchi obession!

HAHAHA i dont think anyone here understands our bianchi obession!
You are so right... I am actually thinking of buying a new one. The Bianchi Virata, maybe some day I will be able to afford the L'una :)
Ever wonder how many people would ride Bianchi if Lance was riding Bianchi?? LOL

I have friends who are into golf and they think nothing about spending thousands of dollars for a golf club membership (not to mention the cost of the clubs or other equipment) or those who are baseball fans and spend several thousand dollars on a vacation to go to Arizona to watch baseball teams in spring training... and that's every bloody year. How much do people spend every January on exercise equipment? What's the cost of a gym membership per month or year? The amount of money we spend on our bikes is really not all that high when you compare them to some hobbies/sports. And it's even paltry when you amortise it over the years a good quality bicycle will last. The problem with the general public is that they grew up with bikes that cost a lot less. They view cycling as a lower form of transportation meant only for children or those who cannot afford cars. It's a very skewed view and for the life of me, I've had a hard time understanding it fully myself.

Bianchi obsession??? How about fixed gear obsession? Most recreational cyclists freak out when I explain what my bike's all about.

I have friends who are into golf and they think nothing about spending thousands of dollars for a golf club membership (not to mention the cost of the clubs or other equipment) or those who are baseball fans and spend several thousand dollars on a vacation to go to Arizona to watch baseball teams in spring training... and that's every bloody year. How much do people spend every January on exercise equipment? What's the cost of a gym membership per month or year? The amount of money we spend on our bikes is really not all that high when you compare them to some hobbies/sports. And it's even paltry when you amortise it over the years a good quality bicycle will last. The problem with the general public is that they grew up with bikes that cost a lot less. They view cycling as a lower form of transportation meant only for children or those who cannot afford cars. It's a very skewed view and for the life of me, I've had a hard time understanding it fully myself.
Makes sence to me, and not to mention people who fly or 4X4, gotta have gas and tires and all those things for that sport/hobby and they definately cost alot more than our goods :beer:

Makes sence to me, and not to mention people who fly or 4X4, gotta have gas and tires and all those things for that sport/hobby and they definately cost alot more than our goods :beer:

Well, I'm also equally guilty of the two above hobbies you mentioned and can definately testify as to the truthfulness of what you're saying.

Bianchi obsession??? How about fixed gear obsession? Most recreational cyclists freak out when I explain what my bike's all about.
fixed gear is cool, I just havent tried it nor given it much thought until I came to this forum.. I think its something I would like to try, but it would have to be on a Bianchi Pista of course :)

fixed gear is cool, I just havent tried it nor given it much thought until I came to this forum.. I think its something I would like to try, but it would have to be on a Bianchi Pista of course :)

Now you're talking........ it's only a matter of time....

Well, I'm also equally guilty of the two above hobbies you mentioned and can definately testify to the truhfulness of what you're saying.
Fortunately boxing isnt too expensive, except for the clothing, protectors, gloves, shoes and so on, but when training any old pair of sweats works great, and a match comes up every now and then so there isnt too much spent and you can always use the same robe over, the trunks on the other hand do get a bit bloody and usually trashed when all is finished.
Good thing my cycling comes first now days so I can spend more $$$ on the matching cages and bar tape LOL :D .

Now you're talking........ it's only a matter of time....
some day fixer, and when I do, you will be the first to know... In fact I have been looking at a few Bianchi fixed gear bikes. Most are older and that may be what I have to settle with :)

Dont understand what biking is all about.

....Especially that bonehead sports commentator who made that "big deal, anyone can ride a bike" comment after Lance Armstrong was named Sportsman Of The Year a couple years back.

yeah, and anyone can run, anyone can hit a little ball with a club, anyone can hit a puck with a stick, etc etc..so why aren't we all in the pros?

some day fixer, and when I do, you will be the first to know... In fact I have been looking at a few Bianchi fixed gear bikes. Most are older and that may be what I have to settle with :)
The older..... the better.....

Dont understand what biking is all about. I tell my friends about something I got for my bike or where my bike is at (I took it in for a check up) and they just didnt understand. I bought a new cyclo-computer and they couldnt justifiy being a computer for a bike. Personally, I'd like to know how far im riding. Also, they know how much i spent on my 2 bikes and they freak out and say i could have bought this or that or something else. But not 1000 bucks on bikes! (haha i have 2 bikes for 1000 bucks!) They arent the greatest and when i try to show them my dream bike, the new colnago with full campy. They freak at the 5000 dollar price tag. I have no friends that ride so it kinda sucks. Do yall have any friends like this? and how do you handle them? I tend to get real defensive and call my friends lazy lol

Look at it this way:

Pull up with a $20,000 bass boat on a trailer and they'll barely notice. Tell them that you paid $2,000 for a bicycle and they'll think you went absolutely insane. Now here's the question: "Do you really think that it's possible that guy with the bass boat will have TEN TIMES as much fun as the guy with the bicycle? If not, he paid too much.

When I told them how much I paid for my race bike- had the effect of shock treatment. Ever since they have no questions about my cycling addiction.
Non cyclists are generally not interested.
About cycling clothes and those that shave legs. That seems to be the biggest practice they question.
Shocked them there..Said since I wear bike shorts, the zits on my arse stopped popping on the office furniture...That had an impact.! .They now understand the need of the chamois.

Well, I played tennis a lot.. I had several rackets, all of them about $300 each, more or less. I buy shoes almost twice a year, and about 2-3 sets of balls a week.. the membership fees, the court fees, etc.. adding all that up.. oh man, it more expensive than cycling!

I'm glad i'm back in the saddle! ;)

getting serious in any hobby costs money.. if not bikes then its audio / electronics / car .. even computers (now thats silly)

I spent almost 5000 dollars on climbing equipment one year to support that habit. More than I ever spent on a bike in a years time. It seemed that on ever climbing outing I'd see the need for a new type of protection in a different size crack etc... then of to the outdoor gear shop to buy up new equipment and I'd buy everything in pairs so I had a spare. I was also a stickler for having good shoes and the very best rope money could buy. All my climbing buddies loved it since I was virtually prepared for any kind of climb we might be faced with.

Any recreational activity can be uber expensive.

Oh, about the bass boat thing mentioned above. My brother once bought a bass boat that was over 35,000 dollars and would go 100=mph (250 horsepower Mercury outboard and super light hull of hand laid fiberglass.) All it did was expedite his divorce later and he had to sell it for peanuts to pay the lawyers.

Hey! I got laughed at tonight riding back from the grocery store with my rack loaded down with stuff. Funny that I don't get laughed at when riding the same bike with an empty rack. What the hell do people think it's there for?

isnt it funny what we spend cash on? I mean I spend $25 plus for boxing trunks, $100 plus on boxing shoes, $10 handwraps, $5 mouthpeice, $100 robe, $50 groin protector, $75 plus on gloves (and oh so many kinds and colors) and for waht? to stand in a ring and throw hands with some other guy.. whats the point in looking good when its all done and said with your both a sweaty, bloody mess. Then you change colors for your next match so you have to start all over.
Yet cycling you buy a nice bike $1500, tires $80, waterbottles and cages $38, saddle bag abd tools $45, Jerseys and bibs $150 (pair) , shoes and socks, Helmet $150 (all items matching in celeste of course) and you can use these items for a very long time with the proper care. Hmmmmmm. Oh well as long as we are having fun right.... Guess I am getting the itch or looking for an excuse to try a fixed gear LOL

You know, even other cyclists have trouble understanding some of my habits, but to be honest I don't let it concern me all that much. If I tried to understand everybody else's hobbies/spending habits, I'd probably go mad. So I just concentrate on living my own life and let everyone else get on with theirs. If that's too much for some to understand, tough.

yeah but the main thing I don't get is that the people who think we are strange for spending money on our bicycles have no clue that cycling above all makes you fit, healthier and you live an active life. Now that's priceless.

I always explain it by telling them that I don't understand why they spend so much money on their cars or computers. When they try to explain it to me, I tell them I don't understand. I usually remind them that they end up spending way more excessive money on their vehicles than I do on my bike. C'mon, a 30,000 dollar truck so they can drive to work and the mall?

Dont understand what biking is all about.

I tell my friends about something I got for my bike or where my bike is at (I took it in for a check up) and they just didnt understand. I bought a new cyclo-computer and they couldnt justifiy being a computer for a bike. Personally, I'd like to know how far im riding. Also, they know how much i spent on my 2 bikes and they freak out and say i could have bought this or that or something else. But not 1000 bucks on bikes! (haha i have 2 bikes for 1000 bucks!) They arent the greatest and when i try to show them my dream bike, the new colnago with full campy. They freak at the 5000 dollar price tag.

You've lost me too. I'm not particularly interested in all your bike related purchases either.


I have no friends that ride so it kinda sucks. Do yall have any friends like this? and how do you handle them? I tend to get real defensive and call my friends lazy lol

I solve this problem by not having any friends.

HAHAHA i dont think anyone here understands our bianchi obession!

I do :D

'83 Bianchi San Remo
'02 Bianchi Grizzly

I really dislike it when, as I'm preparing to leave on my bike at night,
someone suddenly gets this horrified look of concern on their face
and says "Ooooh, be careful out there!"

Well holy #@$%!!, I just got through telling you that I've been doing this
for years, I do it nearly every damn day all year round, you can see this high
tech lighting rig I've got on the front and rear, and you feel compelled to
remind me of the big scary dangers of commuting after dark...

Dont understand what biking is all about. I tell my friends about something I got for my bike or where my bike is at (I took it in for a check up) and they just didnt understand. I bought a new cyclo-computer and they couldnt justifiy being a computer for a bike. Personally, I'd like to know how far im riding. Also, they know how much i spent on my 2 bikes and they freak out and say i could have bought this or that or something else. But not 1000 bucks on bikes! (haha i have 2 bikes for 1000 bucks!) They arent the greatest and when i try to show them my dream bike, the new colnago with full campy. They freak at the 5000 dollar price tag. I have no friends that ride so it kinda sucks. Do yall have any friends like this? and how do you handle them? I tend to get real defensive and call my friends lazy lol


get a cyclin' babe for a girlie... then they'll start to understand.

get a cyclin' babe for a girlie... then they'll start to understand.
I would love to get a cycling babe, but dont think my wife would approve :(

As I recall Austin has a pretty large cycling community. I think you just need some new friends - of either sex - whose interests are more closely aligned with yours. :)

I spent almost 5000 dollars on climbing equipment one year to support that habit.

OK. I COMPLETELY understand buying the good stuff for that hobby.

I collect vintage watches. I wear a different watch to work every day for over a three week period. They range in age from 1902 - 1958. Not ONCE has anyone ever noticed.

People just don't care if it is not what what they do. I train hard for a century. Do it on Sat., call my Mother for Mother's Day and all she can say about it is "Don't overdo it." She thinks I've lost my mind by doing something healthy. :rolleyes:

Well, at least you guys understand. Well, probably not about the watches......................

OK. I COMPLETELY understand buying the good stuff for that hobby.

I collect vintage watches. I wear a different watch to work every day for over a three week period. They range in age from 1902 - 1958. Not ONCE has anyone ever noticed.

People just don't care if it is not what what they do. I train hard for a century. Do it on Sat., call my Mother for Mother's Day and all she can say about it is "Don't overdo it." She thinks I've lost my mind by doing something healthy. :rolleyes:

Well, at least you guys understand. Well, probably not about the watches......................
I understand about the watches.....
I once heard Rocky Balboa say "if you wanna have a good time, you need a good watch"
So that means you are having a good time all the time, even when cycling...
I also like watchees, granted I dont have as many as you and mine are not oldies or extravagent, but I have quite a few nice watches :)

People who don't cycle don't understand. I know, I spent 18 years of my adult life, not cycling, because I had no interest in it. These days, when people laugh, I laugh back because I think it is funny that they cannot run to the mail box and back without having a heart attack. If I have met someone who is riding a bike, that I did not like, I don't remember them.

I've got jaws dropping because I spent $450 on a Trek Navigator, helmet, & gloves :eek:
I get the same looks because I spent $1,300 on a synthesizer too.

Funny thing is....I actually bought the cheap bike (and synth) but I'm very happy with both, however :D

You get what you pay for.

People are like, "I can buy that at Walmart for $99!!"


Well.......no you CAN'T!

-jeff

When you talk to anyone about something they are not into,you get the same thing,its not just bikes. If i bring up my home theather stuff with somebody that just has a tv,they sh$t at the prices. If i say something about a coin i might buy and they dont collect,its dumb.

It's not only about the money, either. My lovely wife and I are rollercoaster enthusiasts and we've traveled to many different amusement parks across the country to ride. Some of our own family don't understand this. They think we're nuts but they don't even mention the money. They just think it's wierd to travel around to ride coasters.

overanalization.

do you really 'dislike' people who simply choose other interests in life? if so, thats sad (no cut on you, i'm guessing you dont truly dislike those people).

why do yo expect people to be excited about your bike purchases? What do you expect them to say when you explain that the pricetag on your 'dream bike' could feed a family of five for one year? Heck, I LOVE cycyling and I question that. My 15 year old junker can keep up just fine, thankyou.

Do they bore you with their new bowling-ball, knitting needles, or whathave you? Difft strokes. Chris L said it best.

. . . They freak at the 5000 dollar price tag. I have no friends that ride so it kinda sucks. Do yall have any friends like this? and how do you handle them? I tend to get real defensive and call my friends lazy lol

No need to get defensive; when they ask how much your bike is just respond "Enough." or "Alot." This drives people nuts, especially the nosy kind. If they persist, just start asking them how much they just spent on their computer/car/video-audio system/lawn/off-road pursuits, etc. But don't ever tell them how much you spent on your bike--suggest they look it up for themselves. Try it--it really frustrates people and it is funny to watch them squirm.

I say more then i wanted to pay.

My brother once bought a bass boat that was over 35,000 dollars and would go 100=mph...


I didn't realize that bass were so quick.

Dan

I say more then i wanted to pay.

haha...whenever my mom asks i just say i paid a fair price.
she knows that means its a lot but she also knows i really like cycling so its money well spent.

I would love to get a cycling babe, but dont think my wife would approve :(

get her a bike and some spandex and parade HER around then. then they'll understand. rrrrrrrroooooooowwwwwllll!!! :D