ok boys and girls, here's the deal. you go on tour, you get questions. you're something out of the ordinary
and unusual to break up the monotony of the day-to-day same-same in some exotic location.
the locals don't have (or maybe they do) much in common with you, so they ask the typical questions when
you make a pit stop for water or snacks. "how far ya go in a day?", "you get a lotta flats?", "how much did
yer bike cost?", and "where ya sleep at night?"
they're just making conversation - your basic chit-chat. it don't mean nothing. they don't actually CARE
how many flats you get. it's just something you would normally say to a cyclist. you've heard it a thousand
times, but you can't let it annoy you.
same with the more personal questions. they're just making small talk to pass the time. they're asking
questions they would normally ask of normal people. problem is, some folks aren't normal. that's not a
judgement, just a fact. 99.999% of the world's population is straight. others not.
in the normal world, a healthy 20-30 year old would be gittin' hitched, starting a career, and makin' babies.
that's normal. cycling across the country is not normal. 'alternative lifestyles' as well. not normal.
the locals can't tell. if you don't have a cornucopia of rainbow stickers, and don't seem like the human
torch, they'll naturally assume you're, ummm, normal. longer conversations will have them asking "how'd you
get so much time off from work?", "what does your family think about this?", and (oh my lady gaga!) "are
you married?"
if these questions are starting to bug you too much, then you need a break from cycling. return to wherever
it is that you feel comfortable for a while to cool off, and you can continue the tour later.