Stereotypes about cyclists [Archive]

Crazy Cyclist

03-30-05, 04:47 PM

what are some of the ones that you have heard? Here is my favorite" That guy/girl must be poor they can't even afford to drive a car" I say that even if I could afford a car I don't know that I would want one, I mean with the price of gas, insurance, maintenance, etc, it wouldn't be worth it, my bike can save me money on gas, insurance etc... plus I can get around faster than a car most of the time.

FBKS-AK

03-30-05, 04:50 PM

I had a coworker say we should be locked up.

caloso

03-30-05, 04:51 PM

According to some guy in a pickup, I must be gay. News to me. I hope Mrs. Caloso doesn't mind.

Crazy Cyclist

03-30-05, 04:52 PM

According to some guy in a pickup, I must be gay. News to me. I hope Mrs. Caloso doesn't mind.

the guy was in a pickup, what more need I say?

thechrisproject

03-30-05, 05:10 PM

I just get a lot of "you bike to work, you're weird" sentiments from people. I suppose, statistically speaking, they are right. I am anomaly.

pnj

03-30-05, 05:19 PM

everyone knows that people only ride bikes because they got their license take away for drinking and driving. :D

markhr

03-30-05, 05:57 PM

conversation with the cute blonde from accounts in the canteen
"Have you thought about riding to work."
"Oh no, I couldn't do that."
"Why not? I ride to work."
"Yes, well you're mister active."

Did wonders for my ego.

forum*rider

03-30-05, 06:04 PM

People automatically assume I'm in great shape because I ride 20-30miles a day(which is nothing). They are amazed when I tell them it isn't as far as it sounds.

People in cars like to yell "Nice shorts f*****!" out the windows of their cars at me. (In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, "Not that theres anything wrong with that!")

I can't afford a car.

I'm stupid.(what is up with teenagers and cars? ooooh, I have a car, I'm cool now!)

I'm going to ride the Tour De France.(I can't explain this, anyone who thinks I'm gonna ride in the tour is on hallucinogens)

skanking biker

03-30-05, 06:07 PM

I also must wear bowties, a fedora, and use an apple.

--funny thing is--all are right on except about using the apple--only fracking wierdos do that

operator

03-30-05, 06:22 PM

I'm going to ride the Tour De France.(I can't explain this, anyone who thinks I'm gonna ride in the tour is on hallucinogens)

No, but your avatar sure looks like it is :D (hallucinogens I mean)

wabbit

03-30-05, 06:51 PM

I'm obviously weight obsessed and do this to lose weight. (This is probably because I am thin, but if I were hefty it would be the same thing).

noisebeam

03-30-05, 08:20 PM

They are quite concerned about what others think about them. Oh, wait, thats not a stereotype...

Al

catatonic

03-30-05, 10:12 PM

Think I'm some granola chewing hippie.

I'm far from it...oh and if one more driver makes a vegan crack, I'm going to have to start carrying raw bacon to throw at them! :mad:

Marge

03-30-05, 10:27 PM

oh my you are all funny! :D Let's see my sister calls me a tree hugger to my face. My mom thinks I'm under the bad influence of my husband, as if. My co-workers think I'm crazy. I have one young co-worker who doesn't believe bicycles should be on the road, according to him ,we should all be on
the sidewalk. ;) and I actually still own a car! I can't imagine how bad it must be for you none
car owners.

Allister

03-31-05, 12:21 AM

People think I'm a tad foolhardy for riding in traffic, like it's dangerous or something. Of course, occasionally arriving at work with blood dripping down my leg does little to dispell this.

Chris L

03-31-05, 12:39 AM

I can't imagine how bad it must be for you none
car owners.

Nor can I anymore. I stopped paying attention to bigoted morons years ago.

titanium

03-31-05, 01:24 AM

one thing that realy gets me is certain people, 2 people i know have said this to me, they dont cycle because its boring and its to easy. Now my MSN screen name states "it doesnt get easier, you just go faster" these people then go on to say all you do is pedal and steer like walking but faster. I then ask the suposidly sporty football player if he likes to walk, he says "its alrite, might get to see some nice scenery but id rather see it from a car, then you can sit back and relax" yet some how he states cycling is easy, because he cycled 25 miles on road at 10mph that is actuly not so easy for unfit people, but if its easy he should go faster, and therefor it can never be easy because he can always go faster!

cyclezealot

03-31-05, 01:40 AM

KrisPistofferson

03-31-05, 03:55 AM

This ain't Portland, Oregon. We have people who ride bicycles, and are environmentally aware, but most of them live by the college. By the time you're in your late twenties your supposed to give up that nonsense and get a car. The morons are all convinced I have a DUI, but even the self-avowed liberals get a sympathetic look in their eyes, like I'm wasting my life, or something. Weird. I f we as a society would quit seeing exercise as torture, maybe we wouldn't be so overweight.

galen_52657

03-31-05, 05:51 AM

I just get a lot of "you bike to work, you're weird" sentiments from people. I suppose, statistically speaking, they are right. I am anomaly.

To be a cyclist in the first place, you are most definately 'weird'. Why else would you propel yourself under your own power only to be lothed by the rest of society?

DnvrFox

03-31-05, 06:00 AM

My wife and I, (65 and 67 respectively) are looked on with some awe by many of our neighbors.

We are always either walking or biking and both lift weights - something most of them don't do, except for guys on both sides and across the back yard, all of whom lift and run. Sort of a little enclave of fitness!

But, nothing negative. We have lots of bicycles and riders in this area, so if they insult me, they are likely insulting themselves or someone in their family/close friends.

trackhub

03-31-05, 06:05 AM

TuckertonRR

03-31-05, 06:11 AM

"Probably the most common one I have experienced, is that all cyclists are yogurt eating vegans."

Ummm, vegans eat yoghurt? news to me.

Wheel Doctor

03-31-05, 06:14 AM

I'm thinking that I should get alot of these comments, but I don't. More often I get waves and smiles. I ride a recumbent as well as other bikes and one would think the silly or sometime vulgar comments would increase with a less than traditional bike. Questions, yes. I think I saw a bunch of sterotypes in the responses about the people that have Pickup trucks. Around here you are then talking about everybody including me. Additionally, People here abouts get used to seeing you on a bike and recognize you in you vehicle and wave. If you change bikes or vehicles they don't wave until they realize that your a local.

Wheel Doctor

03-31-05, 06:29 AM

Probably the most common one I have experienced, is that all cyclists are yogurt eating vegans. They seemed totally perplexed when they learn that my favorite restaurant (one of the only restaurants I go to, actually.) is the Blue Ribbon Barbeque.

As for teens and cars, I agree with a member of the Massachusetts legislature, who feels that the minimum age for a driver's license should be raised to 20.

Damm, Here we go again use a howitzer for a small arms situation. Why, take it out on all kids, because we are unable to dicipline the ones that cause the problems. There are youngsters in harms way 18 years old, that can vote, get killed and maimed, can't buy a beer and you want to restrict their driving privleges. If you want an age then make it an age for all, across the board. Driving, drinking, voting and participation in the armed forces. I don't care if it's 18/19/20/21...just make it all the same. Then enforce the law. IMO 16 is to young to be driving and the stats. show that. Many states are moving up their age but if it goes beyong the age where you can vote and serve in the Armed Forces, I'm against it venehemently!!!!!!!!

jeff-o

03-31-05, 07:25 AM

18 for a driver's licence would be OK by me. I don't see any downside in this.

nick burns

03-31-05, 07:27 AM

Two teenage girls yelled NERD! at me as I rode by them a couple days ago.

Is that a stereotype for cyclists? Or maybe they just knew me. :lol:

galen_52657

03-31-05, 07:39 AM

bikebuddha

03-31-05, 07:40 AM

Two teenage girls yelled NERD! at me as I rode by them a couple days ago.

Is that a stereotype for cyclists? Or maybe they just knew me. :lol:

I had girl reach out the passenger window and smacked my butt as she passed. Scared the hell out of me.

pj7

03-31-05, 08:11 AM

I've heard alot of crap being said about cyclists, and though it does shame me, I am guilty of doing it as well. Before I ever thought about owning a bicycle I would be one to say things like "those guys look so gay" and "if he wasn't such a bum he could afford a decent used car". Though I have NEVER harrassed a cyclist, nor even made a foul face towards them.
Now here I am on the other side of the fence. Even if I see a man wearing pink spandex, riding a girlly bike with tassles and frills and a big sign that said "I'm a homosexual" I'd never make one of my previous comments! And I feel to be the better man for it.
Stereotyping is stupid, and people who do it are idiotic, even though I guess it is human nature. Me? I can honestly say the reason I felt/thought/acted the way I did was because I was jealous of those guys and what they could do that I could not. Now I see them and think, just wait until some of this weight comes off and I'll be blasting past you on my way to work! ;)

And just a side to this comment:
I just get a lot of "you bike to work, you're weird" sentiments from people. I suppose, statistically speaking, they are right. I am anomaly.
I guess word got around to the owner of the company I work for that I plan on making the 11 miles commute to work via bicycle. He called me this morning actually and congradulated me and said "you know how we have a tardiness policy, I don't want that to influence you while you are on your way here, just make sure you make it here safe and healthy and we'll overlook any tardiness that comes from it". WTF??? If you knew how tight the owner was you'd be thinking the same thing I was when he told me that, either he is smoking some fine herb or the cute secretary at his office is under his desk. ;)

catatonic

03-31-05, 08:35 AM

Yeah it doesnt offend me any, but it's just annoying to hear these people....you would think that somewhere stupidity would be painful.

I'm practically the opposite of a Vegan...Beef...pounds a week, pork...pounds a week, fish...even more so, dairy products....you betcha.

Oh, and my favorite restaurant (although I can't afford it more than once or twice a year) is Ruth's Chris Steakhouse....rather un-veganlike, no? :p

Karldar

03-31-05, 08:42 AM

Most I've gotten so far is the "crazy" line. Like it's odd that I work a 8-10 hr night and then go ride trails for an hour or two. What can I say, it's one of the best times to ride for me. Of course, riding in freezing/wet/blistering weather could have something to do with being called "crazy". Well, if that's crazy, I don't wanna be sane.

Metro

03-31-05, 08:57 AM

I don't care what they think. I ride for me. If they don't get it, guess what. I don't get them either.

JohnBrooking

03-31-05, 09:56 AM

I also must wear bowties, a fedora, and use an apple.

--funny thing is--all are right on except about using the apple--only fracking wierdos do that
Do you wear the bowtie and fedora on your bike? I'd love to see a picture...

You ought to ride one of these (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=95600)!

JohnBrooking

03-31-05, 10:08 AM

I dont believe in stereotypes..I would like to think we are socially aware, environmentaly aware , and health conscious...
Those of us might also hang out and health clubs...The morons might think us gay...But the truth is the opposite sex go nuts over our legs and we have better luck with the ladies than the average chain smoking , pot bellied moron. The riders that come to mind just don't hang out with the guys during the cycling breaks I have experienced..
My wife's been making comments lately about what nice bicycle thighs I'm getting... Cha-ching! :love:

My belief is that no one is normal, there's no such thing. It's just that some people vary from what is believed to be normal more noticeably than others.

JohnBrooking

03-31-05, 10:14 AM

If we as a society would quit seeing exercise as torture, maybe we wouldn't be so overweight.
That's an interesting point. I suspect a large part of the reason that society sees exercise as torture is that with all our labor-saving devices, it has become something "extra" to do, rather than just what you have to do to live, as it was 100 or more years ago. We no longer have to chop wood, carry water, scrub and wring out clothes, help the horse push the plough through the fields... There was no need for health clubs back then!

skanking biker

03-31-05, 10:23 AM

Do you wear the bowtie and fedora on your bike? I'd love to see a picture...

You ought to ride one of these (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=95600)!

No, although I would like to commute to work on my bike, I cannot, given that I haul 2-3 boxes of paperwork, a laptop, and must wear a suit.

I would however, look pretty daper wearing my fedora and bowtie on THAT bike.

noisebeam

03-31-05, 10:27 AM

...as it was 100 or more years ago. We no longer have to chop wood, carry water, scrub and wring out clothes, help the horse push the plough through the fields...
I really enjoy labor intensive chores and never get bored of them. Really. However I surely enjoy the extra free time I have relative to what I would have 100yrs ago. Some medium between what we have today vs. 100yrs ago would be nice (of course it can be self created)

I enjoy mowing the lawn with a push mower, hand wash dishes (and do it in a way not to waste water so comprobable to a dishwasher) I don't hand wash clothes, but hang to dry laundry. Cut trees and clip bushes with hand saws and manual clippers, etc, manually weed vs. chemicals. I despise leaf blowers. But I don't need to hand cut vast fields of hay just to feed by horses (which I don't have)

Al

jeff-o

03-31-05, 10:32 AM

I really enjoy labor intensive chores and never get bored of them. Really. However I surely enjoy the extra free time I have relative to what I would have 100yrs ago. Some medium between what we have today vs. 100yrs ago would be nice (of course it can be self created)

I enjoy mowing the lawn with a push mower, hand wash dishes (and do it in a way not to waste water so comprobable to a dishwasher) I don't hand wash clothes, but hang to dry laundry. Cut trees and clip bushes with hand saws and manual clippers, etc, manually weed vs. chemicals. I despise leaf blowers. But I don't need to hand cut vast fields of hay just to feed by horses (which I don't have)

Al

Wanna come over to my house to mow and rake my lawn? I absolutely HATE mowing the lawn.

noisebeam

03-31-05, 10:41 AM

Wanna come over to my house to mow and rake my lawn? I absolutely HATE mowing the lawn.
Sure, will you pay for transportation (a new touring bike with appropriate on boards storage and food for the trip) and provide the push mower? ;)

Al

DnvrFox

03-31-05, 10:48 AM

I enjoy mowing the lawn with a push mower,

Do you live anywhere near Colorado?

Absolutely the worst chore anyone could imagine! And, I could be riding the bike instead of mowing. So, for the past several years I have paid someone else to do that task (drudgery, pain, backache, etc.).

kf5nd

03-31-05, 10:49 AM

you can bust the "he must be poor" stereotype by wearing some bling.

you know... expensive team kit, expensive helmet, expensive shades, Rolex

noisebeam

03-31-05, 10:53 AM

Arizona. With the strength build up it takes the same amount of time (you don't generally push a mower faster when it has a motor on it)

My front and back lawn used to be fairly large, but I have over the years converted much over to desert, so I do have less to mow than I used to.

Al

JohnBrooking

03-31-05, 11:06 AM

Probably the most common one I have experienced, is that all cyclists are yogurt eating vegans.
I'm eating yogurt as I type this! ;)

Although I am not a vegan, nor even a vegetarian (although I do mostly avoid beef).

powers2b

03-31-05, 11:42 AM

Some woman on the street asked me if I was a porn star.
I don't know if it was the double knit spandex or the fact that I am hairy like Ron Jeremy.

(I mostly avoid vegetarians)

FLBandit

03-31-05, 03:23 PM

I get called Lance now and then. I just say, Yeah, I wish!

Feldman

03-31-05, 04:15 PM

Having been a funny-clothes wearing cyclist since 1968, I don't give a feck what anybody thinks, and actually look down on motorists as being a species lower than human.

khuon

03-31-05, 04:22 PM

I enjoy mowing the lawn with a push mower

I was out mowing my lawn with my push mower when my neighbor stopped over and commented to me that Home Depot was having a sale on cheap gas powered mowers.

cyclezealot

03-31-05, 04:43 PM

Yeah, John Brooking...many outsiders don't understand the function of cycling attire...When many other sports use such techniques to make their sports more functional..
So for outsiders to think there must be something wrong with us,to be out on the road dressed as such- we must be weird.
Does not matter what outsiders think or understand...They do not grab my thighs at night either, as does our spouses.Her complaint ofter has been, just don't flop those tree trunks upon me.

noisebeam

03-31-05, 04:48 PM

Yeah, John Brooking...many outsiders don't understand the function of cycling attire...
I understand the need for simple black cycling shorts and a plain color jersey. Beyond that, especially in the extremes: colorful shorts, matching jersey with racing graphics, matching helmet and shoes, not to mention socks...

I don't get it (yet) Makes total sense for a team or racing though, but for Saturday recreational rides?

Al