Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Stupid questions asked by co-workers...

"Why??"

"Why did you ride that long?"

"What's the point of doing that?"

These are the responses I got from 4 different people in the office today.

I came in limping from a muscle cramp. When they asked me why I look like hell, I replied with "From riding 17 miles yesterday nonstop for one hour".

I am used to the mocking from wearing spandex and riding a "kid's toy" to work; I was not prepared for such stupid replies.

I simply said to them "trying to get in shape, plus, I just love riding bikes". They still looked at me like I was nuts.

Isn't it pretty obvious when a fat guy is furiously working out, he must be trying to get in shape???

Max No Difference - Just don't forget your next promotion is probably tied to your golf game...

Keep up the good work...

I used to get the same/similar questions when I'd come in to work before and after having tickets to the Rocky Horror Show.

At least what you are doing is for your health and as such, all the more power to you. :thumb:

"Why??"

Why not?


"Why did you ride that long?"

Same reason I **** that long; it's fun. If you'd get out and ride, you might be able to **** that long too.


"What's the point of doing that?"

What's the point of asking stupid questions?

Your title is wrong. Should be "Questions asked by stupid co-workers."

^^^^^^agreed!!!!^^^^^^^

I too am a fat guy trying to lose weight and get into shape via the bike riding......but fortunately for me, there are a lot of bike riders here where I work in Oregon, and most of them are very supportive.

Keep on pedaling and ignore the idiots!!

The best question, asked by a surprising number of people, is some variation of: "What if it rains while you're riding?"

my response - we're using less than 8 gallons of gas (well actually diesel) a month; how much are you using?

I commute 12 miles each way, every day. No one has asked stupid questions :)

I used to get the same/similar questions when I'd come in to work before and after having tickets to the Rocky Horror Show.

At least what you are doing is for your health and as such, all the more power to you. :thumb:

But no one is throwing toast when you ride

I used to get the same/similar questions when I'd come in to work before and after having tickets to the Rocky Horror Show.

At least what you are doing is for your health and as such, all the more power to you. :thumb:


But no one is throwing toast when you ride

Hot patootie, bless my soul......it would be cool to find RHPS cycling jerseys!

Back on topic, when I rode to work they were generally supportive too. And there was a small assortment of fools too, but I was (still am) low carbing and the fools focused more on that than the bike. I usually tell most folks with "special" questions or comments that I get "eleventy billion miles to the gallon" while riding the bike. That either gets a bewildered look or a chuckle and I move on. Life is too short to suffer the company of fools so I ignore them as much as possible.

And really abrasive or negative folks will give you a hard time as they are sort of envious of you stepping out or you make them feel uncomfortable because you are actually doing something they want to, or never would. And there are so many more reasons why to ride a bike than why not to... And the what do you do when it rains (or similar odd questions) are genuinely curious as most folks think you can't ride in the rain. Sure rim brakes are fun when wet but I see no reason to ride when you get caught in the rain.

Really inquisitive folks, like my buddy who was shocked to learn what I have spent on bikes and gear since being unemployed. (He asked) But I then reminded him that I have put 4 tanks of gas in my van since April, what have I saved in fuel in that time, or in the last 3 years since I started bike commuting and grocery and errand runs on the bike(s)? Logical/reasonable minds will see the point and even give you a compliment.

I too gas up the ol vehicle, maybe once a month other than blizzard season...I prefer to be warm and not cover my bikes in salt.

"Why??"

"Why did you ride that long?"

"What's the point of doing that?"

These are the responses I got from 4 different people in the office today.

I came in limping from a muscle cramp. When they asked me why I look like hell, I replied with "From riding 17 miles yesterday nonstop for one hour".

I am used to the mocking from wearing spandex and riding a "kid's toy" to work; I was not prepared for such stupid replies.

I simply said to them "trying to get in shape, plus, I just love riding bikes". They still looked at me like I was nuts.

Isn't it pretty obvious when a fat guy is furiously working out, he must be trying to get in shape???


You are doing something wrong, don't blame the people that have never been exposed to cycling. It's your duty to educate them, not call them stupid.:D

When I talk cycling to family, friends and even other cycling buddies, they listen. Matter of fact, the other day another poster (LewisAClark) listened to one of my stories about riding with heavy rims. He said, "you're like that dude in the beer commercial, the most interesting man in the world". :roflmao2:

So it is your job to interest them, maybe even recruit one into cycling.:thumb:

Same reason I **** that long; it's fun. If you'd get out and ride, you might be able to **** that long too.


Maybe you need more fiber in your diet. :)

A lot of folks just don't get it... and perhaps never will.

It's like hiking, backpacking, running, swimming, walking, anything that takes effort.

Good for you!

"If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand."

Maybe you need more fiber in your diet. :)

Damn censorbot. I meant ****.

Then again, I **** for about that long sometimes too, but that's because I have some good books and only one room my wife will let me lock the toddler out of.

I knd of get both types of comments. Wednesday morning a co-worker was asking about my Tuesday ride and whether it had gotten shortened by the storm that came through (yes, it did. LOT of lightning). My boss asked what we meant by "ride". I told him that I'm a cyclist. He looked at me very serious and said, "What kind of cyclist? A BIcyclist?" (Emphasis on the "BI"). I laughed and said yeah. He looked me over again and said, "You're a pretty a big guy to be a Bicyclist". I told him that was the point- I was trying to not be so big. After a second he laughed his ass off and said "Awesome!" lolol.

Green - GOOD FOR YOU! and your weight ticker says you're down 25 pounds so far! I bet you will soon get the same things I got after a month or two....

"Hey Doug....um...how much did you spend on that bike?"
"I was thinking of biking myself this summer....how did you get the right size bike?"

...and my favorite... "You are looking pretty good there! That cycling sh** seems to be agreeing with you!!"

I work in the car business for the last 25 years...as brutal a place if there ever was one, and when these people start not making fun of you for something IT'S WORKING!

STICK TO YOUR GUNS, MY FRIEND, AND KEEP RIDING!!

:)

"Why??"

"Why did you ride that long?"

"What's the point of doing that?"

These are the responses I got from 4 different people in the office today.

I came in limping from a muscle cramp. When they asked me why I look like hell, I replied with "From riding 17 miles yesterday nonstop for one hour".

I am used to the mocking from wearing spandex and riding a "kid's toy" to work; I was not prepared for such stupid replies.

I simply said to them "trying to get in shape, plus, I just love riding bikes". They still looked at me like I was nuts.

Isn't it pretty obvious when a fat guy is furiously working out, he must be trying to get in shape???



Sadly, I get this all the time.


What's even worse is that no one I know even believes me that I biked a metric century last week. They all think that since there's no way they can do it, I must be lying, because I'm fat.


Whatever. I'll take pics of my 72 mile ride tomorrow.

What's even worse is that no one I know even believes me that I biked a metric century last week. They all think that since there's no way they can do it, I must be lying, because I'm fat.

I get that too, but it's usually from other cyclists - the 'real cyclists' I mock by claiming I'm not one.

my response - we're using less than 8 gallons of gas (well actually diesel) a month; how much are you using?


In my experience, that just leads to hostile responses. Everyone I work with drives gas-sucking SUV's or gas-sucking sportscars, so when I bought a Hybrid they all made mocking comments about how stupid it was to try to help save the planet. For supposedly smart people, engineers are remarkably closed-minded people when it comes to things like environmentalism.

I can't imagine how they'd react when I tell them I'm thinking of bicycle commuting.

I am used to the mocking from wearing spandex and riding a "kid's toy" to work; I was not prepared for such stupid replies.

You need a new set of coworkers.

Isn't it pretty obvious when a fat guy is furiously working out, he must be trying to get in shape???

Riding a bike isn't "working out" in many minds. Also, lots of fat people ride bikes for fun.

Riding a bike isn't "working out" in many minds. Also, lots of fat people ride bikes for fun.


My heartrate begs to differ with them. I've never been able to get my pulse up to 175 doing anything else but biking.

My heartrate begs to differ with them. I've never been able to get my pulse up to 175 doing anything else but biking.

It takes some work to get my heartrate up while cycling. I need to be climbing, or making a serious effort at hammering. Running, OTOH, will get it up there in a big hurry, way more readily than riding. But that's just me.

It takes some work to get my heartrate up while cycling. I need to be climbing, or making a serious effort at hammering. Running, OTOH, will get it up there in a big hurry, way more readily than riding. But that's just me.

Same here

It takes some work to get my heartrate up while cycling. I need to be climbing, or making a serious effort at hammering. Running, OTOH, will get it up there in a big hurry, way more readily than riding. But that's just me.

The more muscles you recuit in an activity the easier it is to get your HR higher. My highest HR is when I do intervals on an eliptical machine that has handles to work the upper body.

"Why??"

"Why did you ride that long?"

"What's the point of doing that?"

These are the responses I got from 4 different people in the office today.

I came in limping from a muscle cramp. When they asked me why I look like hell, I replied with "From riding 17 miles yesterday nonstop for one hour".

I am used to the mocking from wearing spandex and riding a "kid's toy" to work; I was not prepared for such stupid replies.

I simply said to them "trying to get in shape, plus, I just love riding bikes". They still looked at me like I was nuts.

Isn't it pretty obvious when a fat guy is furiously working out, he must be trying to get in shape???


As usual I am going to take a contrarian position, but first let me congratulate you on your efforts to get healthier.

Now, consider that by your own admission what you did caused you injury...the limping from the muscle cramp. Then consider that simply getting into better healthier shape NEVER REQUIRES one exert oneself to injury only that one exert oneself with moderation... Then ask yourself if you interpret their questions below, if they still have the negative sting you assumed they did.

"Why [did you ride yourself into pain]??"

"Why did you ride that long [if it causes you pain]?"

"What's the point of doing that [if you end up injured the next day]?"


Now there are folks who a willing to suffer pain to achieve some goal (like TdF riders for instance), but such exertion levels are not necessary to simply achieve good health and most folks (whether cyclists or not) are likely to have the same kinds of questions to anyone who does something "for fun" that causes them self-injury... Whether you agree with the reasoning of those who question why, is irrelevant, there is no reason to assume any evil/negative intent or even something as simple as "not getting it" in the question, after all I suspect that most humans would find such self destructive behavior curious.

As usual I am going to take a contrarian position, but first let me congratulate you on your efforts to get healthier.

I don't think Myridin is describing what likely went on at the office ... but it's a wise point and should be considered.


Now there are folks who a willing to suffer pain to achieve some goal (like TdF riders for instance), but such exertion levels are not necessary to simply achieve good health and most folks (whether cyclists or not) are likely to have the same kinds of questions to anyone who does something "for fun" that causes them self-injury... Whether you agree with the reasoning of those who question why, is irrelevant, there is no reason to assume any evil/negative intent or even something as simple as "not getting it" in the question, after all I suspect that most humans would find such self destructive behavior curious.

This weekend I did a pretty hard ride (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97015772), covering only about 35 miles, but climbing 4,250 feet in elevation. I didn't injure myself, but I came back tired and hungry. My girlfriend gave me a dirty look and a stern "you shouldn't exercise to the point of exhaustion!" and wasn't buying that I wanted to enjoy as much mountain scenery as I could feed into my eyes.

I don't think Myridin is describing what likely went on at the office ... but it's a wise point and should be considered.

Maybe not, but I'd say it is least as likely as the more nefarious opinions of what went on I've read in this thread...



This weekend I did a pretty hard ride (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97015772), covering only about 35 miles, but climbing 4,250 feet in elevation. I didn't injure myself, but I came back tired and hungry. My girlfriend gave me a dirty look and a stern "you shouldn't exercise to the point of exhaustion!" and wasn't buying that I wanted to enjoy as much mountain scenery as I could feed into my eyes.

First there is a world of difference between exercising to exhaustion (short term) and exercising to injury... Though of course neither is necessary to the goal of exercise for health. Now riding for the simple purpose of enjoying the scenery is a whole other kettle of fish, and if your GF didn't buy such an explanation the cause is likely far different than what the OP describe and others ascribed to. My simple point is that there is no reason for folks to get uptight simply because someone doesn't understand why we do what we do. Indeed it is usually worth considering just why our behavior may be considered unusual... Such questions can provide valuable self-insight.

"Why [did you ride yourself into pain]??"

"Why did you ride that long [if it causes you pain]?"

"What's the point of doing that [if you end up injured the next day]?"

most folks are likely to have the same kinds of questions to anyone who does something "for fun" that causes them self-injury...

Very good points! As I posted earlier, IMO, they weren't stupid questions. But I think you nailed it with "why would you do something that causes you injury?". A limp the day after a 17 mile ride? Someone needs to adjust their training methods. Too many cyclist have a torn this and that for a reason. The office workers just may have done the OP a favor by asking their "stupid questions". :thumb:

The best question, asked by a surprising number of people, is some variation of: "What if it rains while you're riding?"

I like to reply: "It's o.k., I can dry myself off with all the money I didn't spend on gas". Really, though, I don't get a lot of stupid questions. People have seen me ride every day for long enough that they accept it. Mostly I just get "Be careful" or "Have fun".

The best question, asked by a surprising number of people, is some variation of: "What if it rains while you're riding?"

"It turns out that human skin is waterproof. Who knew?"

As often stated by speakers at a lecture, "There are no stupid questions." I think cycling is unfortunately still such an oddity, e.g. commuting, that most people don't know what to say; there is no "standard" greeting. IMO, the questions I'm asked are usually not hostile, and often admiring. One favorite question, that actually motivates me to ride in the cold and/or wet weather is,"You didn't ride your bike today, did you.?"

Co-worker: Why bother riding a bike to work? (FYI, he's thinner than me, a chain-smoker who is usually engulfed with road-rage when he arrives in the mornings)

Me: So I can live a much longer life than you, and not die of a heart-attack when I'm 50 (10 years to go!)

Co-worker: >>>shocked<<< walks away mumbling towards the corridor for a smoke...

"Why??"

"Why did you ride that long?"

"What's the point of doing that?"

These are the responses I got from 4 different people in the office today.

I came in limping from a muscle cramp. When they asked me why I look like hell, I replied with "From riding 17 miles yesterday nonstop for one hour".

I am used to the mocking from wearing spandex and riding a "kid's toy" to work; I was not prepared for such stupid replies.

I simply said to them "trying to get in shape, plus, I just love riding bikes". They still looked at me like I was nuts.

Isn't it pretty obvious when a fat guy is furiously working out, he must be trying to get in shape???

I guess there's a difference between trying to get in shape and going at it so hard you end up limping from muscle cramps. People who aren't worried about getting in shape, or who are already in sufficiently good shape they don't get muscle cramps so easily, probably don't understand that part.

To a lot of people "getting in shape" means driving to the gym, spending half an hour circling the gym looking for somewhere to park, then waiting to use the machines, then spending 20 minutes walking on the treadmill at a sufficiently gentle pace they can read a magazine or two while they do it, then driving home again.

Not wishing to diss your efforts or anything (I'm overweight myself and slowly dropping weight through cycling), but be sure to differentiate between people thinking you're daft for exercising at all and people thinking you're daft for exercising to the point you're having what seems like a major issue with overdoing it. There is a certain degree of sense in figuring that if you end up limping from muscle cramps after 17 miles you'd be better off riding 15 miles, or 12 miles, and increasing from there so you don't get muscle cramps.

That said I've had my share of cramps, one day on the way home from a long ride I tried to pace myself against a couple of roadies (I ride MTB, and they are usually much lighter than I am!). I managed it for about a mile, and my reward when I got home and put my feet up was massive cramps in both quadriceps at the same time.

People who don't share the enthusiasm typically won't understand why we are willing to suffer a bit for the buzz of pushing ourselves I guess...

The best question, asked by a surprising number of people, is some variation of: "What if it rains while you're riding?"

I usually just answer that one with "I get wet".

My heartrate begs to differ with them. I've never been able to get my pulse up to 175 doing anything else but biking.

And my resting heart rate(50) is pretty awesome too! The nurse at our last workplace blood drive kept checking my BP (116/66) and pulse, and finally said I had the lowest pulse of anyone there in the last two days. Not bad for an overweight 54 year old.

I look at those questions as an chance to talk about biking and encourage others to ride or even a chance to invite them to join you. You can never have enough riding buddies.

How does 17 miles in hour, done the previous day, make you 'look like hell' and 'limp into work'?

My commute to school is 28 miles, and after a shower, nobody knows if I drove or rode to school that day. I look like hell right after, and maybe even pre-ride, but wtf are you doing? Running full sprint in cleats and spandex up 10 flights of stairs, pulling a juke on the HR rep and back flipping into your cubicle?

Sounds like someone is 'spotlighting'.

How does 17 miles in hour, done the previous day, make you 'look like hell' and 'limp into work'?

My commute to school is 28 miles, and after a shower, nobody knows if I drove or rode to school that day. I look like hell right after, and maybe even pre-ride, but wtf are you doing? Running full sprint in cleats and spandex up 10 flights of stairs, pulling a juke on the HR rep and back flipping into your cubicle?

Sounds like someone is 'spotlighting'.
A little harsh ....

In all fairness, simply because you haven't experienced something similar, doesn't diminish the OP's post.

"if you ride so much, why aren't you thinner?"

Ouch that hurt.

"if you ride so much, why aren't you thinner?"

Ouch that hurt.

It's not just some overweight cyclists that think riding is the 'magic pill.'

A little harsh ....

In all fairness, simply because you haven't experienced something similar, doesn't diminish the OP's post.

I agree. Everyone here is an individual, with their own individual physical limits (that most of us are continually pushing against in order to improve). I'm not in the least surprised that another member of this section of the forum might find a one-hour 17 MPH ride taxing. Then there are matters like the wind, terrain and temperatures the OP faced, of which we know nothing.

And besides, even if he was, in fact, "spotlighting," who among us is immune to a little puffery when it comes to our accomplishments?

I agree. Everyone here is an individual, with their own individual physical limits (that most of us are continually pushing against in order to improve). I'm not in the least surprised that another member of this section of the forum might find a one-hour 17 MPH ride taxing. Then there are matters like the wind, terrain and temperatures the OP faced, of which we know nothing.

And besides, even if he was, in fact, "spotlighting," who among us is immune to a little puffery when it comes to our accomplishments?

Thanks for the support.

Everyone at work knows I am the only employee that rides a bicycle, they just don't understand why.

I posted this thread to let some steam out; some members think I am showing off. I probably should put a disclaimer on my sig line.

Did I overdo the exercise? I don't think so. I was having so much fun, nothing hurt, it felt great. I was fine until I had to walk up the stairs at work, my legs were sore, so I limped up. Unfortunately a handful of workers watched me walk up that way, then the questions and usual bashing started.

How does 17 miles in hour, done the previous day, make you 'look like hell' and 'limp into work'?

My commute to school is 28 miles, and after a shower, nobody knows if I drove or rode to school that day. I look like hell right after, and maybe even pre-ride, but wtf are you doing? Running full sprint in cleats and spandex up 10 flights of stairs, pulling a juke on the HR rep and back flipping into your cubicle?

Sounds like someone is 'spotlighting'.

Ok, my apologies for not meeting your standards of how things should be. I am not as awesome as you are. For a 46 year old obese man, I am doing pretty good compared to most men in my category.

"Those skinny tires can hold your weight?"
:notamused::twitchy:
All I could muster was a sarcastic "no, man..."

Ok, my apologies for not meeting your standards of how things should be. I am not as awesome as you are. For a 46 year old obese man, I am doing pretty good compared to most men in my category.

Ohhhhh ok, sorry man didn't mean to offend. GJ on the work, I thought I was still in the training forum.

Also, I suck.

Many years ago me and some friends were doing our 1st ride to San Diego from SoCal, about 110 miles.. When telling a co-worker, they asked how many days is that going to take? I said just one and they starting laughing, like no way anyone can ride that far in 1 day..

Ok, my apologies for not meeting your standards of how things should be. I am not as awesome as you are. For a 46 year old obese man, I am doing pretty good compared to most men in my category.

Don't worry about it. I would love to average 17mph.

Just finished my nightly 23 mile ride at 12.6mph. To be fair I had a 15mph direct headwind for the first 12 miles. Sigh.

Don't worry about it. I would love to average 17mph.

Just finished my nightly 23 mile ride at 12.6mph. To be fair I had a 15mph direct headwind for the first 12 miles. Sigh.

That is actually better than what I would have done. To be exact, I did 17 miles in one hour, seven minutes according to my odo. I stopped twice for about 30 seconds to drink. It averages out to 15.22MPH. One stretch of the road was slightly inclined downhill, enabling me to reach 26MPH for about 3 minutes. The rest of the terrain was mostly flat.

"Why??"

"Why did you ride that long?"

"What's the point of doing that?"

These are the responses I got from 4 different people in the office today.

I came in limping from a muscle cramp. When they asked me why I look like hell, I replied with "From riding 17 miles yesterday nonstop for one hour".

I am used to the mocking from wearing spandex and riding a "kid's toy" to work; I was not prepared for such stupid replies.

I simply said to them "trying to get in shape, plus, I just love riding bikes". They still looked at me like I was nuts.

Isn't it pretty obvious when a fat guy is furiously working out, he must be trying to get in shape???
For bikes, its got to be - "But you make good money - is everything all right?"

Non-cycling related question: "Do you need a rooster for a chicken to lay eggs?"