Classic & Vintage - Does cycling come up in your "normal" conversations?...

Normally, not much, but often people see the rack on my car and bring it up. It has led to rehabs of about 4 bikes, advice/sales of about 4 more, and great conversations. I've been led to garages and sheds to look at tons of bikes, and it's all been good....

How so with you?

Comes up all the time, someone asks what I've been up to and I say "Restoring/refubishing old bikes and riding a lot" and I've come across some great deals that way as well including my Tour de France.

I often have a few bikes scattered around at work, clients from time to time recognize the brand names, or the component brand, a few can tell they are old, but get amazed, "that bike is 35 years old!" A few mod bike riders are amazed that one had to move their hands to the down tube to shift! And you have to manually locate a gear?

+1 Rehabbing, fixing bikes comes up constantly. Ditto the ebay hobbies: designer shoes and clothing mostly. A lot of people are interested in selling excess stuff on ebay, but for whatever reason, they are intimidated by it.

What did you find at garage sales? And, what did you sell on ebay are weekly topics Monday morning at my part time gig.

Well, the conversation stopper for me is when someone asks, "How many bikes do you have?" It's gets freakish soon thereafter.

Neal

Most of my shirt wardrobe consists of event T-shirts from the various rides I have done over the years - especially the one's that sell their last year's T-shirts for $5. :D

So, yeah - they seem to be conversation starters. :)

I don't talk about anything else :D

Where I attend church there are several that ride. My best friend there has done the MS-150 twice, and a woman in our band and her husband has done it once, so it isn't hard to find a "how's your ride?" conversation.

No. That's why I hang out here.

Everything in my life is cycle related except some of my friends and they stand out quite a bit.

Well. Ya... Most of those I associate with are cyclists. Most days of the week, the tee shirts I wear normally have some kind of bike theme Sort of hard for anyone to not notice my bike fetish.

No. That's why I hang out here.

+1

Living in austin means the average person knows a fair bit about bikes, so there are plenty of good convos there. Additionally, I'm friends with a few undergrads, and tend to help people fish out good CL bikes - often the convos I have will end up with the person asking "so can you find me a bike for under $___?"

And at my church, the pastor and staff own Schwinn Waterfords, Milwaukee Travelers, Bridgestone RB-1 and RB-Ts, Rivendell Bleriot, an old Ciocc, Trek 660 (and they sold me my first Waterford Paramount). There are tons of convos that go on around bikes there :D

I work with quite a few avid cyclists. They ride the $6,000 to $10,000 bikes, and a few ride competitively at different levels. They are very nice to me, however, and allow me to converse with them about my 40 mile or so rides on 30 year old bikes. :o

I enjoy watching my friends eyes glaze over as I tell them about my current project.

A guy in one of my classes this semester had a Mellow Johnny's cap, so I struck up about bikes and it turns out he's the #1 Cat. 4 in the country this season! That's when all I can add is - "I like shiny old parts."

I have a large (poster-sized) photo of my early 1980s Ciocc San Cristobal hanging on the wall of my office, so the topic is frequently raised by clients and vendors.

I don't talk about anything else :D

Same,

A conversation without bikes can be refreshing these days.

I commute and do all my daily activities by bike.
I play bike polo with friends.
I ride mountain bikes with other friends.
I road road bikes with other friends.
I race triathlon.
I ride/race a bit of cyclocross.
I work on bikes for a living.
My travel plans are for bike touring.
I also work on and collected vintage bikes and parts for a while and still keep them around as pieces of industrial art mostly.
Some day I'll revisit track riding.

When a conversation doesn't include biking, I usually don't have to much to say. It actually makes me a pretty boring person to about 99.99% of people.

I don't have normal conversations.

No, I avoid any cycling references at work. They don't get the "wool" thing. But it's ok, I don't get into what they do either.

Scott

No. That's why I hang out here.

+2

Most of our neighbors know I'm into bikes, but their jaws drop when they see the garage. I keep it off topic and focus on regular stuff, since they already think we're eccentric.

No. That's why I hang out here.

Same here. There are a bunch of people at work that ride but I never knew about them until I overheard one talking about the MS150 one day. Most people that I know are amazed that I can ride over 10 miles in one day.

Me and my friends have developed our own code of sorts when talking about bikes. We use shorthand terms so much of the time that most of the people who know us don't even ask us about it anymore. We've entered our own vintage italian road bike universe!

Actually, yes - But I live in Boston, so it's not that unusual.
Also, I get stopped on the streets or on the trails and asked about my bicycles a lot - though that's not really the same thing.

sure, but it usually results in me talking bicycles for 45 minutes before i realize the other person left after a few sentences. My son weighs about as much as 34 front 29 rear is in gear inches. What do you think of that?

Normal conversation, what's that? I have five kinds of conversations:

1. Cycling and bicycle racing
2. Motorcycles and motorcycle racing
3. Sports cars and Formula 1
4. Work
5. My wife's health

There used to be a sixth, but I lost interest in that years ago. Marriage will do that to you.

I have a lot of friends that just aren't interested in hearing about bikes so I save the conversation for people who understand my passion. I meet up one night a week with a great group of people in Boston and we do talk bikes, rides, builds, parts, but also "regular" conversation. I have a very hard time explaining to some people why I own more than one bike, and never answer the question of "how many do you own". Partly because once the person knows, they think I'm crazy. And partly because I don't want to have to count and realize they're probably right! Alas, I don't care. They're wonderful and I cherish riding each one for a different, special reason. I post in places like this to hear from other people that feel the same.

One good thing that has come from discussing bikes regularly is helping friends out when they realize you know a thing or two. It great to see when someone finally finds the right bike for their comfort and riding style and can start enjoying the sport.

My students all thought I was a nerd, but now they think I'm a nerd who rides a gorgeous purple bike. They admire the Panasonic DX-5000 when I bring it in so I can ride it after work. And they should, as it is drop-dead gorgeous. If they saw the Raleigh Sports, I'm not sure what they'd think, but my work is surrounded by hills, so the Raleigh stays at home.

My family are exhausted by the amount of talking I do about everything, anyway.

I can converse and at least sound intelligent on nearly everything. Bikes are in that catagory. I actually am knowledgable on about three things. Right now I can't remember what they are.

Cycling is my business as well as one of my greatest passions so it comes up a fair bit... I don't spend time with many people who do not cycle so it is always a small part of what we talk about even if that is no more than talking about the ride as many of them do not drive either.

When I am out and about I get a lot of questions and comments about my bikes, especially the more unusual ones.

Around here, you have some basic categories:

Hipsters. If it rolls, they like it. They look at a C&V road bike like they can't wait to get it naked and have their way with it. They are laid back enthusiastic, and are up for about any kind of ride, if it's not too long.

Competers, young. Latest, lightest they can afford. Hold off on the new stove, get some Zipps. They like bikes but their conversation is pretty much what they just read in the latest tri mag. The bike is a tool to compete on, and for them, a long ride is a training ride, not a cycling experience.

Competers, older. Latest, lightest they can afford. Several bikes, often C&V and they don't mind talking about bikes from '72 Paramount to '10 Ridley. Often the most experienced riders and those who keep the group together, know the route, and have spare parts. They are easily fast, super steady, and patient with newcomers.

Trek conventioneers.

Road riders. Number of bikes increases with age. Almost all have a C&V bike, almost all have a modern bike. Mention century, they bring the C&V. Mention a hard ride, they bring the CF.

Fitness "have-to's." Doctor says. They discover that the bikes today are pretty cool and easy to ride. They are usually pretty funny, too, and have no problem, ever, "taking a break."

Non-riders with bikes stored for years. Gold mine.

I have a blast meeting and talking to them all.

Normally, not much, but often people see the rack on my car and bring it up. It has led to rehabs of about 4 bikes, advice/sales of about 4 more, and great conversations. I've been led to garages and sheds to look at tons of bikes, and it's all been good....

How so with you?

I´ve made people into or more biking. Friends are now doing races... It all began with a slight interest.

cycling doesn't normally come up in conversations with people i know *outside* of my bike social circle, and i try to keep it that way. i don't like having to explain why i like vintage bikes and why i have to have more than one-- that gets tiring.

All the time.

It's weird. I never bring it up, yet somehow no matter whom I'm talking with and no matter what we're talking about, it seems to come up in every conversation.

:innocent: ;)

I try , usually to my GF who sighs and proceeds to zone out completely. That's why I'm here.

I don't like having to explain why i like vintage bikes and why i have to have more than one-- that gets tiring.

That is so right on the money Anton!

"you have HOW many bikes?"


Scott

I'm pretty much a dud when it comes to small talk, and anyone who's asked me about my job has learned not to repeat that mistake. So they are relieved to realize they can talk to me about bikes. That said, most conversations about bikes are about my commute and other things I do on the bike, places I go, &c. Few people realize the extent of my old bike fascination.

Sure, I talk to my wife about bikes and she pretends to listen me. Then she tells me all about Gossip Girl and I do the same. :)

and anyone who's asked me about my job has learned not to repeat that mistake.

Why? What do you do for a living?

It's usually the only thing on my mind. Thus I'm fairly anti-social and don't leave the garage. Lest someone intrudes upon my domain to ask what I'm doing.

It actualy starts with the other person. Around work, first question they ask me is" did you ride to work today?"
And it just goes from there. It might get longer if it happens to be raining that day.

3ss

It happens either way, and it happens a lot for me. I'm sure some think of me as a nut or obsessed, but I don't think any good will come of hiding my passions.

Cycling is but one of my several passions.

That is the normal conversation. Most strangers approach me to talk about the bike or ask how often I ride; I like to see the blank, silently blinking stare when I tell them the truth.

No, I avoid any cycling references at work. They don't get the "wool" thing. But it's ok, I don't get into what they do either.

Scott

Sheesh! Organ builders!

Wool is a good thing! Fleece is second best! Wool+Fleece+Wind Breakers+Hand Warmers=Only Way To Winter Cycle

For the most part, conversations tend to be really awkward if cycling isn't brought up.

People coming over for a drink or dinner or something usually have to climb over my bikes at some point and say "Why do you have so damn many bikes?!?!" So it comes up a fair bit. I don't have many cycling friends though.

That is the normal conversation. Most strangers approach me to talk about the bike or ask how often I ride; I like to see the blank, silently blinking stare when I tell them the truth.


Speakinawich, irwin, how much do you ride?

Yes, and visitors to the office get to see photos of my builds - other people have photos of their families or pets in their offices. Don't get many visitors returning though!

Speakinawich, irwin, how much do you ride?
Just 100-150 miles a week, but that's enough to leave non riders numb. They really go blank when they see me in December and January around here.

Marc

Just 100-150 miles a week, but that's enough to leave non riders numb. They really go blank when they see me in December and January around here.

Marc

I understand the feeling. You should have seen the looks on my co-workers when I'd bicycle to work on Saturdays (21 miles each way). They thought I was absolutely nuts.

I once had a cow-orker who said, "Are you one of those crazy people who wear spandex and ride, like, 16 miles a day?"