Don't take this as an insult because it's not intended that way. It's a lesson I'm still continuing to learn myself.

A thicker skin will help you deal with jerks or people who are well-meaning but still rude.

This thread reminded me that I often used to choose to walk a couple of miles to various places when I was a kid. I lived in a small town and as often as not, somebody who knew who I was would stop and ask if I wanted a ride.

People were dumbfounded and sometimes even insulted when I'd say "No thanks. I like to walk.", especially if the weather wasn't that great. Walking more than a couple of blocks was "work" and why would anyone choose that over riding in a car?

Today there's more awareness and concern about sedentary lifestyles than there was back in the 70's. Folks back then were far more likely to "Go for a drive" to nowhere than they were to go for a walk.

Anyway, the idea of an adult using a bike as a means from getting to A to B is truly weird for some people in this country. Plus Pallen is right. Riding 10 miles to work and then doing it again on the way home, - several times a week, sounds like misery to a lot of folks.