NOS88

He responded, "Yeah, it's how I reduce stress." I then asked if he wanted to go for a ride tomorrow morning, and he did. Next morning I roll out onto driveway on my Indy Fab with arm warmers on (it was chilly). He roars up the street on his Harley Davidson Sportster. Unchecked assumptions really can lead to uncomfortable situations. The look of distain on his face was clear as he pulled his helmet off and asked, "WTF?" He has no interest in bicycles and I gave up motorcycles 20 years ago. I chuckled and apologized for the misunderstanding. He, however, wasn't amused by the misunderstanding and blasted back down the street.

Anthony.L

LOL, good story. As someone who rode motorcycles for years, they offer nothing in stress relief compared to bicycles.

volosong

That's a hoot. Crappy attitude by your neighbor. You guys probably won't be sharing any beers together.

I'll never get rid of my Vespa. I use it when I want to go fast up a hill.

Pamestique 

Common mistake I guess (but funny story)... I always hate it when I "google" bicycles and something about motorcycles comes up. I get bikes, I get cycle, but BIcycle? Makes no sense....

Artkansas 

Seems like the forgotten question was "What's your bike?" as most cyclists and bikers are eager to brag.

JTGraphics

I love it thats a great one! You also must of had quite a look on your face when you released it was him also

ecteer

Funny. As I was getting in my car leaving a friend's house, a guy on a Harley turns into the driveway and says, "Hey we're wearing the same tee shirt" - from the 2010 The Flattest Century in the East. He said it was the last time he'd ridden it. I thought it was a hoot that a Harley rider was also into bicycles.

Number400

You should have gone for a ride with him anyway

Remember this old one?
I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS
the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of a
canyon road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the
curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH".

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those
big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling
and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.

I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch
him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering.
Three corners later, I was on his fender. Catching him was one thing;
passing him would prove to be another.

Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I
think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he
could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as
we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the
throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome,
but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the
last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him.
Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to
keep up.

Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me
for good.

But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched
out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more
than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he
passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for
that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road,
where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower and deep pockets, I
had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of
the canyon and I had preserved the proud tradition of one of the best bits
of britiron.

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedalled so hard
in my life. And some of the credit must go to Raleigh cycles, as well. They
really make a great bicycle...

volosong

Ah, yes! Couple years ago, I was riding two loops around Big Bear Lake in the mountains north of the Los Angeles Basin. Just as I was cresting the peak on the south shore drive, a pack of Harleys passed me, and as we were on the descent into town on a twisty, curvy part of the road, I found it easy to "keep up with them". Some were in front . . . some behind.

It was "fun" riding with the 'big boys'. Of course, at the bottom of the hill, on to the straight stretch into town, they left me behind. It sure was a kick, and something I'll soon not forget. They were nice about it too. Didn't seem to mind at all.

bruce19

here's my solution.....

RonH

I live in a part of Florida where a huge number of retirees ride motorcycles. I still don't understand it.
There are 3 rail trails near here (46 miles, 41 miles, 25 miles). Thats why we moved here.

On a related note, my neighbor (who is 6 years younger than me) saw me heading out on the bike one morning and said he and his wife just bought new bikes (hybrids) that they plan on taking with them on their motorhome trips. I gave him the thumbs up and then invited him to join me on the trail (only 6 miles away). He said the folks on the trail ride too fast for him. Many of the people I ride with are 55 to 76 y/o. If we're too fast then .....

linnefaulk

In a TV commercial, the two of you would laugh and grab a beer.

fietsbob

place is busy with both in the 3~4 dry months out here ... Motor bikes more on the weekends because they have to work the other 5 days to pay for them.

bruce19

that's what I don't understand.

KenshiBiker

Good story. Pity your neighbor doesn't have that great of a sense of humor. Since I have a Harley as well as multiple bicycles, I always try to be specific when I talk about "going for a ride". Of course, when someone asks me if I'm a "biker", I don't need to ask "which type".

Bikey Mikey

10 Wheels

Cool story OP.

Null66

Dude, you could have killed him. Harley's drag parts on tight corners. Saw a guy grind (what looked like, but i hope not) his crankcase...

And what road? Sounds like a blast!

bruce19

Bikers=motorcycles and cyclists=bicycles. Just one man's definition.

KenshiBiker

For what it's worth, I agree with your distinction. Unfortunately, many folks do not make the same distinction, and that's where the fun begins. Also it becomes a little less clear when we're talking about the vehicles themselves, rather than the rider. I confused my sister when she called a few years ago, and I told her I had been out riding my "bike" (having just picked up my new HD), and she was happy to hear I was getting into bicycling again.

OldsCOOL

Vespa and fast in the same thought?


NOS, funny stuff man.

NOS88

I guess my first pair of cycling shoes (Beta Bikers) were actually not what I should have been wearing.

volosong

I got the one with the big engine. It scoots along pretty well. Freeway legal. Fastest I've had it was about 85, (downhill with the wind behind me). Kinda scared me a bit, so I slacked off to the low 70's. Just enough to keep up with traffic. It's my weekend, running errands to the store bike. You'd be amazed what those things can carry!

mcmoose

It's just fortunate neither of you showed up on a horse.

bikepro

Ok, just don't wear spandex in a "Biker Bar".