Originally Posted by
one-headedboy
Hi everyone, I'm fairly new here. I'm supposed to be going on a tour next week, taking me from Buffalo, NY to Austin, TX. All my friends are really supportive of it, as was my job (who said they would hire me back in August), and most of my family. I have a big problem though. My grandparents (the two most important people in the world to me) are not happy about this. They're both old and think I'm going to be killed or run over or ***** or whatever. I really don't know what to say to them, honestly. My grandma basically just threatened me with "I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive you for this." (I know that sounds harsh, but she means well. She really does care). Anyways, I'm not looking for anyone to like call them up and reassure them. I've already tried that. I've explained to them about the internet and this forum and all the great people on here who do ride tours, but they just won't accept it.
I'm not asking for anyone to tell me "oh do it anyways" or "screw them, they're old", but I'm sure some of you have been in this position with loved ones. Does anyone have any words of comfort I can share with them? How have you handled this sort of a problem? I know if I don't go on this tour, I will be upset with myself, but at the same time, I cannot go if they are not supportive of it. So please, help a cyclist out..
Let them know that you will be touring safely -- taking low-traffic roads wherever possible, and avoiding high-traffic roads and times.
Let them know that it is not as dangerous as driving a car, in general.
Do they want you not to drive, or not to go out?
There are dangers everywhere, even at home.
Let them know that the freedom to do this is important to you, and that the happiness that goes with that freedom is in the interests of your quality of life -- and that the sorts of unhappiness that would come with not doing it have been correlated, by medical professionals, with depression, weakened resistance, lowered health, and shortened lifespans.
Let them know that your happiness should mean something to them, if they care about you. Maybe they haven't thought this part of it through yet -- but if they love you, they would want you to be enjoying life and living freely.
Let them know that this is important to you.
Maybe show them pictures of young people (and maybe also a wide variety of other people) touring, so it doesn't seem foreign and dangerous to them. People tend to be more comfortable with it when they gain more familiarity. Seeing the pictures might help.