Being watched
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Being watched
Why do motorists who are stopped in front of me at a traffic light watch me in their side or rear view mirror?
This happens several times during the week when I'm commuting and occasionally on the weekends.
What are they looking at? Are they envious? Are they checking out my legs?
Quite often they are so engrossed in watching me they don't notice the light has changed and they are startled back to reality when another motorist honks.
It's a shame they can't be as concerned when passing us!
This happens several times during the week when I'm commuting and occasionally on the weekends.
What are they looking at? Are they envious? Are they checking out my legs?
Quite often they are so engrossed in watching me they don't notice the light has changed and they are startled back to reality when another motorist honks.
It's a shame they can't be as concerned when passing us!
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#2
Every lane is a bike lane
Perhaps the anti-cyclist bigotry that most of them have makes them paranoid. I too have noticed this phenomenon.
Chris
Chris
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Originally posted by RonH
Why do motorists who are stopped in front of me at a traffic light watch me in their side or rear view mirror?
Why do motorists who are stopped in front of me at a traffic light watch me in their side or rear view mirror?
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Ron,
How about when a motorist guns it past you, as if you really had a chance of keeping up with him (or her)? I take it as a compliment.
I heard one passenger remark through his open window, "Hey, you're not a car." I wanted to congratulate him.
We are pioneers. The doctor who pioneered a sterile environment for surgical operations (today, anything less would generate a rash of lawsuits) was considered crazy by his peers.
I mean, these guys used to operate without washing their hands or instruments (I always do that before I eat, not to mention
when I do brain surgery.)
How about when a motorist guns it past you, as if you really had a chance of keeping up with him (or her)? I take it as a compliment.
I heard one passenger remark through his open window, "Hey, you're not a car." I wanted to congratulate him.
We are pioneers. The doctor who pioneered a sterile environment for surgical operations (today, anything less would generate a rash of lawsuits) was considered crazy by his peers.
I mean, these guys used to operate without washing their hands or instruments (I always do that before I eat, not to mention
when I do brain surgery.)
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pete Clark
(I always do that before I eat,]not to mention brain surgery!) ][/QUOTE
Ya, thanks for that, Pete.
(I always do that before I eat,]not to mention brain surgery!) ][/QUOTE
Ya, thanks for that, Pete.
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Originally posted by RonH
This happens several times during the week when I'm commuting and occasionally on the weekends.
What are they looking at? Are they envious? Are they checking out my legs?
This happens several times during the week when I'm commuting and occasionally on the weekends.
What are they looking at? Are they envious? Are they checking out my legs?
#7
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Originally posted by technogirl
The only time I think motorists are thinking ill of me, is when they shake their fist, or give me a dirty look.
The only time I think motorists are thinking ill of me, is when they shake their fist, or give me a dirty look.
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Originally posted by Pete Clark
...these guys used to operate without washing their hands or instruments (I always do that before I eat, not to mention
when I do brain surgery.)
...these guys used to operate without washing their hands or instruments (I always do that before I eat, not to mention
when I do brain surgery.)
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#9
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by JonR
I wash my hands before eating, but for brain surgery I generally just give them a quick wipe on my bike shorts.
I wash my hands before eating, but for brain surgery I generally just give them a quick wipe on my bike shorts.
Now I'm getting p*ssed off folks! I'm young and single, why are there never any FEMALES staring in the mirror at me? Only middle-aged men! It's not fair!!!
Chris
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LOL, Chris you'll need a new jersey to ride in. I think we'll need a new sponsor on your jersey called, "I'm-Young&Single&Available" just to make sure that the female population know for sure!
I think the ol' pick up line, "Do ya want a ride?" would definitely work in your favor. There's just something hopelessly romantic and youthful about a guy riding with his gal on his handlebars, too.
I think the ol' pick up line, "Do ya want a ride?" would definitely work in your favor. There's just something hopelessly romantic and youthful about a guy riding with his gal on his handlebars, too.
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I don't know, Chris... I've always understood that a guy needs a shiny new expensive car to be noticed at all by women. I can't speak from experience, however.
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#12
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Nah, I don't think a guy needs a shiny, fancy new car to be noticed by the girls. I know when I met the guy who'd become my husband, he had a crappy, ugly vehicle. It utterly failed to impress me. Instead, I was impressed by his other qualities. I suppose the fact that he had a vehicle at all was important, but only because when we met, I was living in Bloomington, Indiana and he was living in Dubuque, Iowa. That would have been quite the bicycle trip to come see me.
I've always felt like when people are watching me they're either 1) concerned that I'm a loose cannon and am going to do something unpredictable like dart out in front of them. or 2) They can't believe that a chick as fat as I am can manage to bike at all, much less more or less keep up with them through stoplight heavy territory.
I've always felt like when people are watching me they're either 1) concerned that I'm a loose cannon and am going to do something unpredictable like dart out in front of them. or 2) They can't believe that a chick as fat as I am can manage to bike at all, much less more or less keep up with them through stoplight heavy territory.
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I think motorists tend to be wary of cyclists in the lane. It freaks them out to see one that's not resting nicely on the sidewalk, pushing the Walk button.
Jonathan
Jonathan
#15
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by jramsey
I think motorists tend to be wary of cyclists in the lane. It freaks them out to see one that's not resting nicely on the sidewalk, pushing the Walk button.
I think motorists tend to be wary of cyclists in the lane. It freaks them out to see one that's not resting nicely on the sidewalk, pushing the Walk button.
Chris
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Originally posted by Pete Clark
(Just lemme at 'em, T.G.!)
(Just lemme at 'em, T.G.!)
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I've never had chicks check me out in the rearveiw mirror,but I've had guys.....agh!!! Usually its when I'm tailgating them up a hill.The speed limit on base is 15 MPH for them most party,so racing cars is pretty easy.
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#18
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by technogirl
I'd hope I wouldn't get myself in trouble again, Pete! It's a good thing I don't drink and ride! I don't have much patience with stupid people when liquored up!
I'd hope I wouldn't get myself in trouble again, Pete! It's a good thing I don't drink and ride! I don't have much patience with stupid people when liquored up!
Chris
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Good point, Chris! I don't either, but I *usually* behave myself more around stupid people when I'm sober. I have a tendency to insert-foot-in-mouth, when they start mouthing off about something they don't know.
Not that I KNOW a lot, but hey, if you have someone that just repeats your last phrase without even understanding what the heck you just said...argh!!! :irritated
Not that I KNOW a lot, but hey, if you have someone that just repeats your last phrase without even understanding what the heck you just said...argh!!! :irritated
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I don't mind when motorist check me out in their rear view mirror or they glance sideways, I feel more proud coz' I am out there enjoying the sun and and very healthy
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Originally posted by orguasch
I don't mind when motorist check me out in their rear view mirror or they glance sideways, I feel more proud coz' I am out there enjoying the sun and and very healthy
I don't mind when motorist check me out in their rear view mirror or they glance sideways, I feel more proud coz' I am out there enjoying the sun and and very healthy
One day, I was stopped for a light and a voice from behind and to my left came, "You're in great shape!"
When the vehicle passed me, I saw that it was some evangelists, but that's OK....
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#22
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by technogirl
Good point, Chris! I don't either, but I *usually* behave myself more around stupid people when I'm sober.
Good point, Chris! I don't either, but I *usually* behave myself more around stupid people when I'm sober.
I guess that's the best bit about cycling. Going for a 200km ride tends to get people you don't want to associate with socially away from you
Chris
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#23
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Originally posted by JonR
One day, I was stopped for a light and a voice from behind and to my left came, "You're in great shape!"
When the vehicle passed me, I saw that it was some evangelists, but that's OK....
One day, I was stopped for a light and a voice from behind and to my left came, "You're in great shape!"
When the vehicle passed me, I saw that it was some evangelists, but that's OK....
Now you know it's time to run!!!
Rich
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Originally posted by JonR
One day, I was stopped for a light and a voice from behind and to my left came, "You're in great shape!"
When the vehicle passed me, I saw that it was some evangelists, but that's OK....
One day, I was stopped for a light and a voice from behind and to my left came, "You're in great shape!"
When the vehicle passed me, I saw that it was some evangelists, but that's OK....
This definition is far from what we think of today.
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Exactly, Pete.
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