YouthInAsia

Last week was the first time I commuted on my bike, 12 miles each way roughly. My bike is kept in my office so staff see it and ask questions. (By-the-way, I'm the only man in an office of women.) Office staff have said things like, "Wow, that's ambitious!" and, "I'm impressed." What's up? Do they have this idea that all I do is sit in front of computers? That I'm not athletic? I'm not the type? Sheesh...

Redhatter

You'll probably get that a lot. A lot of people think cycling's hard work.

Wolf Dust

A think the percentage rate of lame-o, dud type people in this country has skyrocketed to like 70 or 80%. The one I always get that really chaps my ass is: "You ride your bike in the winter?!!...isn't it cold?" Then I'm like, "Well, notice what I'm wearing...it's made for the cold plus I'm moving constantly...did you know people ski in the winter, snowmobile in the winter, ice skate in the winter, hunt in the winter, go sledding in the winter, make snow men in the winter???" One winter a redneck was driving his big badass 4x4 truck through the snow up a steep street by my house, he was really romping on it, wheels spinning like hell, goin' half sideways, thought he was really proving it...that is, till I strolled past him at about 4 mph on my mountain bike. Totally priceless!

jade408

Because 12 miles soinds pretty far!

baron von trail 

lol..every time it rains people are offering to give me a ride home. I'm like, "Thanks, but I'll be fine." THey look at me like I am nuts.

Redhatter

Walking the mountain bike or actually riding it?

He might've had more horsepower but none of those horses could reach the ground by the sounds of things. Sounds like a typical rev-head.

A few weeks back the bureau was predicting heavy rain, my father was adamant he was going to drop me into work and pick me up that afternoon because he believed it was going to be too dangerous. I told him that I'd consider my options when I got up, and if it wasn't bucketing heavily, I'd ride and re-evaluate that afternoon.

Woke up the next morning at 3:30AM, there's some light rain, but nothing major. So I headded out that morning, and while it got heavier, it wasn't bad.

This is what happened: Queensland weather: Five people killed after three cars swept away by floodwaters; storm moves into northern NSW - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

2PM I headded for home, deciding that I'd make a break while the weather was holding. At the same time he was visiting up at Bribie Island, and noticed the weather was closing in so started heading towards home too. Rain got heavier, I got home, drenched, but otherwise fine in a little over an hour (I took my time).

8PM he still hadn't got home, the traffic chaos was so bad.

Yet, when we go out in the bad weather, people think we're the loonies. While a bike mightn't be as comfortable in the wet weather (good wet weather gear can mitigate this), it sure beats sitting in traffic that going nowhere due to flood waters.

kickstart

My coworkers don't seem to take much notice of the two of us who commute by bike on a regular basis. Probably because its the transportation industry where physical activity outdoors in all weather is the norm.

Wolf Dust

How funny! Not that people died...that's always sad, but it just goes to show the false sense of security people have in their cars, and most of them don't even carry the proper clothing in their cars in case something goes wrong...because, ya know, cell phones solve everything.

Oh, and yes, I was riding my bike, that's what made it so awsome!

Redhatter

Ain't that the truth! Too many people have too much faith in modern technology.

Either thinking that their car can go through all terrain because they've seen a similar model do it on TV, or thinking that when their telco tells them they cover 90% of the population, that their phone will work where-ever they go.

I don't try anything with flood waters, that afternoon there was one flooded crossing, and I was able to go around it. As for phones, I have amateur radio comms and UHF CB, the bike looks like an echidna on two wheels, so it'll take a lot to cut me off from the outside world.

ThermionicScott 

If you don't like standing out from the crowd and getting comments, no one's forcing you...

SouthFLpix

I wish I had cute female coworkers cheering me on. ��������

baron von trail 

He didn't say they were cute

ItsJustMe

Most people think that pickup up more than 12 ounces at a time qualifies you for some kind of superman status. It kind of bugs me sometimes but I try not to be too much of an ass. I am kind of naturally a little bit of an ass though, so it's hard sometimes.

baron von trail 

I hear a lot of "I would ride to work too but..." stories.

The "buts" are legion: I live too far away; My bumb knee keeps me from cycling; I don't have a good, safe route; my kids have soccer practice; I don't have a bike; too many hills; too many cars; too many miles....

Archwhorides 

*this* (and helmet hair)

rideBjj

I work in an office of about 15 people. It's a small company and we write software. I'm the only person there who does any kind of exercise, as far as I know. I started getting the comments right away, based on my physical appearance alone (I have a slim but muscular build).

Nearly everyone else there is either overweight, flat out obese, or at best "skinny fat" - meaning they are genetically pre-disposed to be thin, but they still have a layer of flab from poor eating habits and sitting around all day. There's one woman there in her early 60's who either won the genetic lottery, or has some semblance of discipline over her eating habits and exercise routine. One of the other programmers is only 32, and still has his youthful metabolism.

I kept my long history of athletics (30 years) to myself, but then people started asking questions so I told them all the sports I've been into, and how lately its cycling. Then when I was training for a century, I would show up in the mornings kind of dis-sheveled, so I had to answer questions about that.

They all seem amazed that anyone would dedicate their life to anything but trying to stockpile money, or having kids and a family. I can tell many of the women there (it's 75% female) don't approve of my lifestyle - especially my girlfriend who is 20+ years younger than me. She came to visit once, in yoga pants and a tank top, and I could see the raised eyebrows and disapproving smirks.

Anyhoo, I digress... I am also commuting by bike - and it is 18 miles each way. That should be interesting for the comments and questions if anyone notcies. I'm trying to figure out which of them will try and put it in my head that I will be run over and killed if I insist on living this way.

It's true, most people are total duds.

kickstart

Sounds like someone needs to expand their horizons in a major way, and maybe spend less time looking in a mirror.

YouthInAsia

Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine. Haha! You misinterpreted my words, friend.

YouthInAsia

My wife is a trophy. Trust me, none of my coworkers compare to my wife. Working with an office of women is more about drama, emotions, and PMS/menopause than I like. It's craziness at times.

YouthInAsia

I can identify with that. You're not alone.

rideBjj

Is your wife standing behind you when you post? It's ok, I understand. Gotta be PC sometimes.

kickstart

Stagnant waters run shallow.

tjspiel

Those sorts of comments can get old but having people take an interest in you and the stuff you're into isn't the worst thing. There are things that other people do that I would find challenging but is no big deal to them.

baron von trail 

I spent a year in an office full of women when we were waiting for the new building to be completed. It was awful. those women drove me crazy. I came home almost every night complaining to the wife about the "cackling hens."

Hugh Morris

Is a bum knee not a valid excuse?