Diffusing and de-fusing
#1
BF's Level 12 Wizard
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Secret mobile lair
Posts: 1,425
Bikes: Diamondback Sorrento turned Xtracycle commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Diffusing and de-fusing
What do you do to defuse mockery from some people? Actually, I just want to read stories about encounters which ended well!
I'll start.
I rode to Best Buy to grab a case for my (non-iPod) MP3 player. On my way out of the lot, which faces a shopping mall, I encountered a mass (6-10) of younger teenagers (13-15 I assumed). They all looked at me and, in what I took for slight, but friendly, mockery, woo-woo'd at me.
Here's the image of me: high-vis yellow jersey, bike shorts of the tight variety, yellow glasses, helmet, PB Epileptic Special (AKA Superflash).
I propped myself up on one hand, turned to them semi-upright, and with my free hand flashed the rock horn sign with the rocker pouty lips. They stopped woo-wooing and started cheering.
I'll start.
I rode to Best Buy to grab a case for my (non-iPod) MP3 player. On my way out of the lot, which faces a shopping mall, I encountered a mass (6-10) of younger teenagers (13-15 I assumed). They all looked at me and, in what I took for slight, but friendly, mockery, woo-woo'd at me.
Here's the image of me: high-vis yellow jersey, bike shorts of the tight variety, yellow glasses, helmet, PB Epileptic Special (AKA Superflash).
I propped myself up on one hand, turned to them semi-upright, and with my free hand flashed the rock horn sign with the rocker pouty lips. They stopped woo-wooing and started cheering.
__________________
Shameless plugs:
Work
Photography
Vanity
Shameless plugs:
Work
Photography
Vanity
Originally Posted by Bklyn
Obviously, the guy's like a 12th level white wizard or something. His mere presence is a danger to mortals.
#2
******
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 949
Bikes: Specalized Tri-Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Maybe they were just mocking your choice of MP3 player, and not the biking.
__________________
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
No harm, no foul. Kids can yell whatever they want at me and I let it slide. I don't feel the need to take action until someone attempts to hurt me.
My favourite is riding past the skate/bike park, because I get a few BMXer kids that want to race (which I lose intentionally) or challenge me to wheelie contests (which I lose because I'm not as good as them.) They laugh at the 'old' guy, I laugh and tell them "I'm stopping at the bar on my way home and having a beer, wanna come? Oh yeah... you can't." And we go our separate ways.
Throwin' the horns is always a great manouver. I'll have to remember to toss one of those in there with my banter amongst the skatepark kids.
My favourite is riding past the skate/bike park, because I get a few BMXer kids that want to race (which I lose intentionally) or challenge me to wheelie contests (which I lose because I'm not as good as them.) They laugh at the 'old' guy, I laugh and tell them "I'm stopping at the bar on my way home and having a beer, wanna come? Oh yeah... you can't." And we go our separate ways.
Throwin' the horns is always a great manouver. I'll have to remember to toss one of those in there with my banter amongst the skatepark kids.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
#6
backwoods bicycle militia
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 261
Bikes: 2019 FIT PRK, 2019 WTP Avenger
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
No harm, no foul. Kids can yell whatever they want at me and I let it slide. I don't feel the need to take action until someone attempts to hurt me.
My favourite is riding past the skate/bike park, because I get a few BMXer kids that want to race (which I lose intentionally) or challenge me to wheelie contests (which I lose because I'm not as good as them.) They laugh at the 'old' guy, I laugh and tell them "I'm stopping at the bar on my way home and having a beer, wanna come? Oh yeah... you can't." And we go our separate ways.
Throwin' the horns is always a great manouver. I'll have to remember to toss one of those in there with my banter amongst the skatepark kids.
My favourite is riding past the skate/bike park, because I get a few BMXer kids that want to race (which I lose intentionally) or challenge me to wheelie contests (which I lose because I'm not as good as them.) They laugh at the 'old' guy, I laugh and tell them "I'm stopping at the bar on my way home and having a beer, wanna come? Oh yeah... you can't." And we go our separate ways.
Throwin' the horns is always a great manouver. I'll have to remember to toss one of those in there with my banter amongst the skatepark kids.
#7
Geosynchronous Falconeer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 6,312
Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour, Campy Habanero Team Ti, Soma Double Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
People only mock me behind my back.
__________________
Bring the pain.
Bring the pain.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 160
Bikes: White IRO Angus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Brazos River valley, south central TX
Posts: 1,298
Bikes: 2015 Scissortail hardtail MTB, 2013 XL Longbike USS recumbent, 2010 Hans Schneider steel randonneur road bike, 2005 Surly LHT;
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by gwhalin
This sounds like Metal Hand Sign Abuse!
__________________
centexwoody
They're beautiful handsome machines that translate energy into joy.
centexwoody
They're beautiful handsome machines that translate energy into joy.
#10
Yup
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 214
Bikes: Electra Townie 7d
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SingingSabre
...I propped myself up on one hand, turned to them semi-upright, and with my free hand flashed the rock horn sign with the rocker pouty lips. They stopped woo-wooing and started cheering.
#11
Striving for Fredness
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 1,190
Bikes: Old Giant Rincon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Queen
I must be incredibly uncool...I have NO idea what anything in that sentence means.
Pouty Lips:
Have fun
#12
Yup
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 214
Bikes: Electra Townie 7d
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by deputyjones
Rocker Sign:
Pouty Lips:
Have fun
Pouty Lips:
Have fun
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 418
Bikes: Devinci Taos, Mielle Alpha
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I wear a skater lid and (in summer) Dickie shorts, so get more cool than geek remarks from kids. Image is everything.
#14
Commuter First
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,286
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
^^^^Poser
<--- Dork.
Optional replies:
Smile. Give thumbs up.
Wave.
Ignore.
Yell, at the top of your lungs, while shaking your fist, "you Goddam kids!"
<--- Dork.
Optional replies:
Smile. Give thumbs up.
Wave.
Ignore.
Yell, at the top of your lungs, while shaking your fist, "you Goddam kids!"
#15
Dominatrikes
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Still in Santa Barbara
Posts: 4,920
Bikes: Catrike Pocket, Lightning Thunderbold recumbent, Trek 3000 MTB.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm an old lady luddite fuddy-duddy. I have no idea what on earth kids are saying anymore.
#16
Commuter First
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,286
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by sbhikes
I'm an old lady luddite fuddy-duddy. I have no idea what on earth kids are saying anymore.
#17
Trans-Urban Velocommando
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lenexa, KS
Posts: 2,400
Bikes: 06 Trek 1200 - 98 DB Outlook - 99 DB Sorrento
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I rode past a skate park (with some BMXers playing).
None of the kids had helmets on. One that was close to me was like "dude, nice helmet."
I said "Thanks."
Then, I thwacked him on the skull with my frame pump and said "See? I would have barely felt that" and laughed and rode away as he lay there, bleeding in the fetal position.
Okay, so I just ENVISIONED the stuff in italics. That's usually about all it takes. Who gives a flip what some lame kids think? They're riding 0.4 miles per day round trip from their house across the street, and they probably spend more time playing computer games or surfing myspace TALKING about how cool their bike stunts are, than they actually spend practicing bike stunts. Whenever I go past there, there's a bunch of kids, some skateboarders, a few bikes laying dormant, and people hanging out in the picnic shelter.
I should ask if any of them want to race. It would rock to see a 220 pound fat white almost 30 year old dude on a clunky decade-old MTB school some youngins.
None of the kids had helmets on. One that was close to me was like "dude, nice helmet."
I said "Thanks."
Then, I thwacked him on the skull with my frame pump and said "See? I would have barely felt that" and laughed and rode away as he lay there, bleeding in the fetal position.
Okay, so I just ENVISIONED the stuff in italics. That's usually about all it takes. Who gives a flip what some lame kids think? They're riding 0.4 miles per day round trip from their house across the street, and they probably spend more time playing computer games or surfing myspace TALKING about how cool their bike stunts are, than they actually spend practicing bike stunts. Whenever I go past there, there's a bunch of kids, some skateboarders, a few bikes laying dormant, and people hanging out in the picnic shelter.
I should ask if any of them want to race. It would rock to see a 220 pound fat white almost 30 year old dude on a clunky decade-old MTB school some youngins.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,819
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What do you do to defuse mockery from some people?
#19
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally Posted by SingingSabre
What do you do to defuse mockery from some people?
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#20
Geosynchronous Falconeer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 6,312
Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour, Campy Habanero Team Ti, Soma Double Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
People compliment my helmet like every other day. I thank them. I do it for the people after all.
__________________
Bring the pain.
Bring the pain.
#21
BF's Level 12 Wizard
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Secret mobile lair
Posts: 1,425
Bikes: Diamondback Sorrento turned Xtracycle commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by deputyjones
Rocker Sign:
Pouty Lips:
Have fun
Pouty Lips:
Have fun
I like the idea of playing at the BMX park...it sounds fun!
__________________
Shameless plugs:
Work
Photography
Vanity
Shameless plugs:
Work
Photography
Vanity
Originally Posted by Bklyn
Obviously, the guy's like a 12th level white wizard or something. His mere presence is a danger to mortals.
#22
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Today I saw a whole schoolbus full of kids yelling obscenities at passing cars. Kids these days are something awful! (Yes, I was like that too. )
#23
The Legitimiser
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southampton, UK
Posts: 4,849
Bikes: Gazelle Trim Trophy, EG Bates Track Bike, HR Bates Cantiflex bike, Nigel Dean fixed gear conversion, Raleigh Royal, Falcon Westminster.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
For lycra, substitue cargo shorts (wear lycra under it if you need that). For hi-vis, substitute just about anything (I only wear a hi-vis in the dark). For yellow glasses, just don't. I don't wear a helmet any more since I read the research about how much closer cars cut you. And, all my bikes are fairly cool, except my tourer. But really, I don't care, I know I'm cooler than they are.
#24
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Stop caring what morons think of you. You start living by what other people think of you, before you know it you're driving a BMW. Or and SUV. Or a BMW SUV. (Shudder)
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#25
BF's Level 12 Wizard
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Secret mobile lair
Posts: 1,425
Bikes: Diamondback Sorrento turned Xtracycle commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Sammyboy
For lycra, substitue cargo shorts (wear lycra under it if you need that). For hi-vis, substitute just about anything (I only wear a hi-vis in the dark). For yellow glasses, just don't. I don't wear a helmet any more since I read the research about how much closer cars cut you. And, all my bikes are fairly cool, except my tourer. But really, I don't care, I know I'm cooler than they are.
Anywho, this thread is about sharing stories, not me venting, bragging, etc.
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
Stop caring what morons think of you. You start living by what other people think of you, before you know it you're driving a BMW. Or and SUV. Or a BMW SUV. (Shudder)
__________________
Shameless plugs:
Work
Photography
Vanity
Shameless plugs:
Work
Photography
Vanity
Originally Posted by Bklyn
Obviously, the guy's like a 12th level white wizard or something. His mere presence is a danger to mortals.