They're Impressed! Woopity Doo...
05-19-15 | 04:29 PM
#51
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,706
Likes: 10,240
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Completely agree, its lame..but its also legit. You cant commute if you don't have a bike
Its easily fixed.
A couple coworkers of mine want to participate in a 50mi fund raising ride that my company helps sponsor, but they don't have bikes. I told em I would fix a few up(one's wife wants to ride too) and they can use them. Ill just sell them after the ride. Its easy to get cheap but reliable bikes if you work to find them. People don't want to work to find them, oftentimes.
Its easily fixed.
A couple coworkers of mine want to participate in a 50mi fund raising ride that my company helps sponsor, but they don't have bikes. I told em I would fix a few up(one's wife wants to ride too) and they can use them. Ill just sell them after the ride. Its easy to get cheap but reliable bikes if you work to find them. People don't want to work to find them, oftentimes.
05-19-15 | 04:36 PM
#52
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,706
Likes: 10,240
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
It's not realistic due to lifestyle choices. Most people would rather spend their finite budget on a larger house far from city centers with jobs than a smaller, less prestigious dwelling nearby.
Most people see their children less because their lifestyle choices dictate living an average of 16 miles from work which can make for a two hour round-trip commute they're not spending with their family.
But not incompatible with bike commuting. You can even come out ahead on time when it lets you skip spending time at a gym and in traffic.
Most people see their children less because their lifestyle choices dictate living an average of 16 miles from work which can make for a two hour round-trip commute they're not spending with their family.
But not incompatible with bike commuting. You can even come out ahead on time when it lets you skip spending time at a gym and in traffic.
As for your criticism of where to live- I see an appeal to living in a city, in a border town of a city, and in open space 20mi from the city. All have benefits and drawbacks. With living closer to the city, typically taxes are higher, land is less, houses are more expensive on a sqft basis, and schools aren't as good overall. The tradeoff is a shorter commute. Yup.
See how that can work in the other direction too? Point being, its not black and white, take a holistic approach.
05-19-15 | 05:42 PM
#53
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
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I fail to see how these arent legit reasons for not commuting by bicycle to work.
Bike commuting works best for the outliers. Those who are single, or without kids, or have grown/older kids. Those who have flexible work hours, those who have a later work start, those who don’t need interstates to get to work, those who live close enough to work to make it feasible…
The closer to work people live, the easier it is to bike commute to work….Overall, we don’t live in a society and don’t have a job market that accommodates to bike commuting. Its unfortunate, really.
- If one lives too far away to make it work, that seems like a good reason to not bike commute…
- A bad knee could be a very good reason to not bike commute since moving it with resistance more than a couple thousand times is required to go 10 or so miles…
- People are concerned about staying safe while riding since they see so many bad drivers each day when they drive....
- Yeah…family activities in the evening are absolutely a legitimate reason to not bike commute…
- Um, not having a bike is a pretty bike impediment to commuting by bicycle.
Bike commuting works best for the outliers. Those who are single, or without kids, or have grown/older kids. Those who have flexible work hours, those who have a later work start, those who don’t need interstates to get to work, those who live close enough to work to make it feasible…
The closer to work people live, the easier it is to bike commute to work….Overall, we don’t live in a society and don’t have a job market that accommodates to bike commuting. Its unfortunate, really.
However, I have also previously posted:
…given the state of current Road transportation,
Public exhortations to cycle-commute, or utility cycle are well and good with no individual responsibility for bad outcomes, but I would not want the recriminations of a personal endorsement if something bad happened.
Also, with regards to “recreational cycling,” actual organizing, promoting [or similar] may entail IMO a liability beyond a personal guilt trip if something goes wrong.
In this Society, IMO, it is what it is, and I just wanted to expose the Dark Side, FWIW. Nonetheless, the Force (to ride) is strong within me and is my own individual responsibility.
Also, with regards to “recreational cycling,” actual organizing, promoting [or similar] may entail IMO a liability beyond a personal guilt trip if something goes wrong.
In this Society, IMO, it is what it is, and I just wanted to expose the Dark Side, FWIW. Nonetheless, the Force (to ride) is strong within me and is my own individual responsibility.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 05-19-15 at 05:53 PM.
05-19-15 | 06:10 PM
#54
Day trip lover
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 813
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From: capital city of iowa
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
For what its worth, people are impressed with as little as a 4 mile one way commute. Personally I find it funny that its all that impressive to others. On the other hand I realize that in a world where cars are the norm it just might be more impressive than I think.
Last edited by mr geeker; 05-19-15 at 06:13 PM.
05-19-15 | 06:23 PM
#55
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 2,583
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
I get that and my commute is only 7.2 miles each way. I think people really dont realize that you could probably ride 5 miles without knowing it pretty easily. You might feel it later...but they could do it..Then there is the aspect of dont you stink all day...blah, blah, blah.....I just say try it you might like it.
05-20-15 | 03:30 AM
#56
Pedaled too far.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,851
Likes: 9
From: La Petite Roche
It all boils down to which choices do you make. If you choose to bicycle commute, you will find a way. If other choices are more important, you won't.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
05-20-15 | 06:27 AM
#57
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,706
Likes: 10,240
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
A husband or wife with a 20mile commute making bike commuting a priority in a family of 5 means others in the family must adjust and sacrifice, I would imagine. That's fine and all because that person values the benefits gained, whatever they may be, more than family time and being available.
That's fine and all, its their choice. Likewise, it should be fine to not choose such an approach to commuting due to different priorities. The original poster I responded to seemed to not think it was funny that people would have reasons to not bike commute.
05-20-15 | 07:31 AM
#58
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7,393
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From: Looney Tunes, IL
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
In my part of suburbia many parents drive their pumpkins a block to sit in the car and wait for the school bus, even in nice weather. Those kids are likely to see cars as necessary for any commute. So sad.
05-20-15 | 07:48 AM
#59
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 43
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From: NJ
Bikes: Citizen Tokyo 16" 14-28t
I ride past those parents often and they look at me like I have six heads.
05-20-15 | 08:11 AM
#60
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Yes, that smug attitude of derision for not fitting into a poster's preferred personality profile is odd, at best. Unfortunately that odd sentiment of superiority over others just for riding a bike to work (or anywhere else) is expressed often on this list.
05-20-15 | 12:25 PM
#62
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: SW Ohio
Bikes: 3 good used ones
I fail to see how these arent legit reasons for not commuting by bicycle to work.
The reality is that commuting by bike is not realistic for many(most) due to other life obligations. Family being the biggest. Kids take priority(or at least I think they should since you chose to have em). Being home and with them for the few hours each day you can see them is important to most.
Bike commuting works best for the outliers. Those who are single, or without kids, or have grown/older kids. Those who have flexible work hours, those who have a later work start, those who don’t need interstates to get to work, those who live close enough to work to make it feasible. Those who don’t have to go home to let out the puppy, those who don’t have to pick up kids from daycare, those who don’t have to get kids to sports/activities.
The closer to work people live, the easier it is to bike commute to work. Or I guess I should say the closer to home people work, since to me home should be the constant and the center. The later people can work and earlier they can leave, the easier it is to bike commute to work.
Overall, we don’t live in a society and don’t have a job market that accommodates to bike commuting. Its unfortunate, really.
- If one lives too far away to make it work, that seems like a good reason to not bike commute. Say they need to be at work at 7am and live 20miles away. Their spouse works out in the mornings at 5am so they are back at 6am. 20 miles in 1 hour?- not going to happen. Perhaps the spouse should not work out in the mornings and instead in the evenings. Oh no, they have kids and that takes an hour away from the whopping 3-4 possible hours each day they can see their kids.
- A bad knee could be a very good reason to not bike commute since moving it with resistance more than a couple thousand times is required to go 10 or so miles. Sure, if its just a sore knee that takes time to loosen up, that may not be a reason to keep from bike commuting. But I also don’t consider that to be a bum knee.
- People are concerned about staying safe while riding since they see so many bad drivers each day when they drive. I certainly wouldn’t fault someone for being concerned that they wont stay safe when riding on streets, especially considering they most likely havent done it before. This is something that is possible to overcome, typically.
- Yeah…family activities in the evening are absolutely a legitimate reason to not bike commute. Take that 20mi commute with a 7am work start. They finish at 4pm(9 hours, 1 for lunch) and have a commute that will get them home at 545. Oh no, Timmy’s soccer practice starts at 530 and Tina’s dance class is at 6! Well that wont work. But hey, make your spouse take both of them! And have your spouse also get dinner ready while helping little Tommy with his homework.
- Um, not having a bike is a pretty bike impediment to commuting by bicycle.
The reality is that commuting by bike is not realistic for many(most) due to other life obligations. Family being the biggest. Kids take priority(or at least I think they should since you chose to have em). Being home and with them for the few hours each day you can see them is important to most.
Bike commuting works best for the outliers. Those who are single, or without kids, or have grown/older kids. Those who have flexible work hours, those who have a later work start, those who don’t need interstates to get to work, those who live close enough to work to make it feasible. Those who don’t have to go home to let out the puppy, those who don’t have to pick up kids from daycare, those who don’t have to get kids to sports/activities.
The closer to work people live, the easier it is to bike commute to work. Or I guess I should say the closer to home people work, since to me home should be the constant and the center. The later people can work and earlier they can leave, the easier it is to bike commute to work.
Overall, we don’t live in a society and don’t have a job market that accommodates to bike commuting. Its unfortunate, really.
Look. It's not me walking up to their desk. OK? I find it odd that people would walk up to mine and lament about why they are not doing what I do--Like I should give a ****ing ****.
05-20-15 | 01:01 PM
#63
Been Around Awhile
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Very odd indeed! Must be because these duds all are only dreaming that they could even remotely resemble a bicycling stud muffin like you know who!! Yeah, that would explain this odd situation.
05-20-15 | 02:37 PM
#64
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,509
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From: SW Ohio
Bikes: 3 good used ones
05-20-15 | 02:53 PM
#65
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 190
Likes: 1
The other day one of the ladies in the office sent me this email. Naturally, I changed my name to my Bike Forums screen name, but she used my real name.
----------
YouthInAsia, (The biker dude)
Your computer and athletic skills are impressive. Keep up the good work! Just be careful!
-------------
When she saw my bike in my office she questioned me about my ride, my route, etc. I sent her the link to my ride data and that was her response. Haha! Now I'm The biker dude. :-)
Like I said, I can relate. Haha!
----------
YouthInAsia, (The biker dude)
Your computer and athletic skills are impressive. Keep up the good work! Just be careful!
-------------
When she saw my bike in my office she questioned me about my ride, my route, etc. I sent her the link to my ride data and that was her response. Haha! Now I'm The biker dude. :-)
Like I said, I can relate. Haha!
Last edited by YouthInAsia; 05-20-15 at 02:56 PM.
05-20-15 | 04:17 PM
#66
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
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From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
The president of my (small) company is more impressed with my 11 mile ride done not every day of the week...more so than the person in the office who is car light and commutes 2.5 miles every day. Dont know why, but ill take it
05-20-15 | 05:38 PM
#68
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,381
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The president of my (small) company is more impressed with my 11 mile ride done not every day of the week...more so than the person in the office who is car light and commutes 2.5 miles every day. Dont know why, but ill take it
Also, as a personal observation in my moderately large organization, it's more often the women who are impressed while the men are disdainful. My harshest critics though have been women, concerned for my safety, and their own concern about hitting me or any other cyclist.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 05-20-15 at 05:45 PM.
05-20-15 | 07:15 PM
#69
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
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From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Where I work there is a colleague who does triathalons, including the Hawaiian Ironman, and another who was a racer in college, yet I have the reputation as a “Bicyclist.” Probably it’s just because I’m the one most frequently seen, all year round, lugging my bike into the workplace for the past 30 years or so.
Also, as a personal observation in my moderately large organization, it's more often the women who are impressed while the men are disdainful. My harshest critics though have been women, concerned for my safety, and their own concern about hitting me or any other cyclist.
Also, as a personal observation in my moderately large organization, it's more often the women who are impressed while the men are disdainful. My harshest critics though have been women, concerned for my safety, and their own concern about hitting me or any other cyclist.
i hope to be commuting still in 30 years!
05-20-15 | 08:49 PM
#70
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Toronto
Bikes: Sekine 1979 ten speed racer
Nobody was impressed, though.
05-20-15 | 08:58 PM
#71
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 26
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From: MD, US
Bikes: 1993 Raleigh SP 2000
Must've been a tiny board. Mine are eye-grabbers, and go about as fast as a leisurely bike, so ~10-15mph is easily a done deal.
05-21-15 | 03:59 AM
#72
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
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From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Too many cyclists are fishing for complements...I highly doubt that most non-cyclists are impressed with people who ride bikes to work, most non-cyclists are just neutral and don't really care, to them it's just another guy or girl on a bike, nothing special.
05-21-15 | 05:33 AM
#73
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
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Probably a more universal response, even to the disinterested is "bemusement." I am often asked, even by people I don't really know, 'Did you ride your bike today.", as breezily as, "Nice day, huh?."
And then if you are fishing for compliments, there is always the possibility of an unintended opposite reaction:
…Also, as a personal observation in my moderately large organization, it's more often the women who are impressed while the men are disdainful. My harshest critics though have been women, concerned for my safety, and their own concern about hitting me or any other cyclist.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 05-21-15 at 05:40 AM.
05-21-15 | 06:44 AM
#74
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
This morning while I was locking up my bike, the president of my company hollered at me from his car (in friendly admiration/jest), "Dude! If I had legs like that I'd wear biking shorts all the time - to the grocery store and everything!"
05-21-15 | 07:39 AM
#75
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
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From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
I don't know any cyclists who fish for compliments, except maybe about their bike from other cyclists.