Peer Pressure
 

As I'm riding home yesterday (cold and windy) I thought to myself at the fork in the road where I could go either the 3 mile route or the 5 mile route, "Should I go the easy way since it's cold and I'll have the headwind going uphill?" Then the thought of "What would everyone on the BF say if I took the easy way out?" So, I went the long way... Dang that peer pressure (even when no one would ever know):) Happy riding, Eric

The peer pressure from these Forums affect quite a few people, including me.

*grumbles about having no more money in his wallet...nice toys though*

I don't really give a rat's azz, what anyone on the forum thinks. However, I am a pretty harsh critic of myself. I almost always take the long way even when i shouldn't. It's gotten me into trouble more than once.

Portis, I think you are too hard on yourself and I think you should be more concerned what others on BF think.

I think it's funny when BFers think that "taking the longer way" is a bike only thing. Believe me, if the weather was nice and I had a Corvette Z06 or a Lotus Elise for the day, I'd take the long way home, too.

The only time I take a longer route on my commute is if it's in the name of acheiving something else that needs to get done (like visiting the LBS, grocery store, best buy or whatever)

Pressue? Not from me man. Now if ya said you weeve in and out of traffic I'd probably pressure ya. Otherwise, ride and enjoy

Luckily, the pressure to spend money isn't as high in the commuter forum as elsewhere. You can skip the carbon frames and thousand dollar wheelsets - blinkie addictions aren't that expensive.

I definitely feel the BF peer pressure. I also start thinking about how to write-up a post here when something interesting (or scary!) happens out on the road. :D

I had some 'reverse' peer pressure......Last Wednesday I rode in against a strong headwind and fairly cool temperatures. Tough ride, but nothing to really complain about....but then after I got to work, the rain started. Hard. Everyone at work who kne that I ride was asking me - are you going to take Metro home? That only got me more determined to tough it out.....I ended up riding home, and it was pretty nasty with the 40 degree weather and heavy rain - especially since my gear wasn't really waterproof. (My jacket gave out at about mile 8). Booties and shoes at mile 5. Tights were a goner at mile 2. 21 miles to the house, and I was miserable.....but I felt 'tough', and that was good enough for me....

(but this weekend, I put fenders on the bike and got a waterproof jacket, pants, booties, gloves and a helmet cover. I may be tough, but I'm not foolish).

+1 also there's alot of DIY stuff here that you won't find elsewhere.

It is when you think of Dinottes as your front and rear blinkies.. Plus feel the power of HID. Is there a blinkies anonymous 12 step program?

I'm mostly thinking about how friggin cold it's going to be on the way home. I'm taking the shortest route.

[envisioning a snow covered BF commuter, huddling under his bike for warmth] There's a big difference between bold and bogus. :D

i think of mech and that drooling cheetah every time i'm tempted to ride on the sidewalk. still do it sometimes because sidewalk biking is my secret vice. i just don't tell anyone.

Peer pressure's a *****. That's how I ended up w/ an ARC HID which I love dearly. :D

Keep your eye on the Cheetah!

my peers would only be myself. how about at least 15 miles.