Seattle Forrest

Some of my coworkers may have thought that at first ... but then 5 pm rolls around, and they start checking the traffic web cams and complaining about how long it's going to take them to get home. This is when I like to rub it in: "What a gorgeous, sunny day. It's going to be a great ride. I might take the long way home and go swimming." People who hear this are thinking about stop-and-go traffic on the freeway, and at least a few of them will have the heat going so as not to overheat their engines. After reading this thread, I might follow my taunts up with "Maybe you should get a DWI so you can ride a bike to work?"

The only time anything like that has happened to me, has been in my kayak. If you have a mind for safety and practice capsizing your boat in the summer, to make sure you're able to do a self-rescue, you'll be surrounded by motor boats offering to help you back in, and even to tow you from the docks. You have to be able to get back in your own boat pretty quickly to shut them up. But I don't get the same treatment on the bike.

GiantDefyGuy

That's actually a really nice gesture by the pickup truck guys. (unless they were planning on stealing your kidneys and leaving you in a bathtub full of ice somewhere).

AdamDZ

njkayaker

Visiting a deli on a group ride, the person behind the counter asked me about commuting by bicycle because he was about to lose his license (I have no idea why)!

sggoodri

Done it.

Waiting inside the DMV while wearing spandex is even better. It's best to just go over the top. I pulled out my fancy phone, made some business calls, and surfed the web so I could be considered successful enough to be eccentric rather than just crazy.

kegoguinness

I think if you are in the DMV with bike helmet, spandex etc, and someone asks why you are there, you should tell them "Because I didn't pass the road test the first time, so I'm here to try again!"

KD5NRH

Maybe if you wore the same blonde wig and bikini top on the bike...

djwid

In my last office, I was car-free and this one guy constantly made jokes about how I must have killed someone. The annoying thing about this is the weak minded who actually believed him. In my current job it isn't a problem since my wife and I now share a car and at least some of the time I have driven to work. It was amazing though how much that meme followed me around. Most industries are pretty tiny.

sggoodri

Once a year, rent a convertible for a day and take your favorites out to lunch. That will put an end to it.

exile

The best compliment I got was when my mom told my aunt I was a "cyclist".

When I was working, the kids would always ask me why I rode. I think it inspired them to want to get riding to. The funny thing is, I think the kids understood better than my coworkers.

AdamDZ

Kids are more open minded. They don't have the hangups that grownups do.

alicestrong

I've had it go both ways before, some people assuming that I don't ride a bike out of a positive choice ( but because of finances, dui, whatever) and others assuming that I must be a VERY interesting, unique person since I'm a cyclist...green, extra fit, etc. hah...

As more and more people seem to be struggling financially, I don't think there should be any shame at all in cycling because you're thrifty...

CommuterRun

Try pulling up to the pumps at a gas station on a bike to fill the tank on your trailer that you use for your lawnmower.

bengreen79

Someone recently pointed out to me that I spent more on my new bike ($850) than my truck is worth (95 2WD Dakota w/269k, worth maybe $500).

irclean

That is a great story!

This is true; I have almost the same bike (mine came from Canadian Tire) and people compliment me all the time on how nice it looks. Nothing wrong with that, unless maybe they're casing it out for a future theft!

I know a lady who offers me the same favor every time she sees me on my bike. I love her sense of compassion as she looks upon me and my bike with great pity. Sigh... people who don't understand the cycling lifestyle never will unless they come on board. Maybe next time I'll bring another bike and ask if she wants to join me for a ride home!

I am not innocent; I still sometimes view myself in a stereotypical fashion. I carry my car's remote key fob on my keyring, as if this somehow proves I'm a conformist and am therefore acceptable. My friends like to tease me about my bike accessories and how I'm lit up like a Xmas tree at night. Oh well, I guess growing up in a car-centered generation makes me an outsider by default. I could see myself living car-free, but my better half would never go for it. At least she joins me on family rides!

sggoodri

My 7-year old is frustrated that I don't transport him by bike to his summer camp/day care as often now that I have to transport his two younger siblings at the same time.

He insists that it will be safe enough to attach the Burley D'Lite trailer, with his sibs in it, to the back of his Burley Kazoo trail-a-bike, behind my Trek. He promises to pedal extra hard. I don't feel that braking would be safe, especially downhill, even if I limit my speed.

Funny that he thinks less of me for NOT cycling....

AsanaCycles

I worked 1 job for 14 years, rode my bike.
I've not had a regular job for 3 years now...
I'm my own boss... take it or leave it...
Careers as they are, are harder and harder to delve into, management is more and more difficult
the whole of the "job scene" is pretty much a muck

however, since I'm a bike guy
and I call my own shots
life is a lot different vs my previous method of "occupation"

in the last 3 years my grandfather told me, "the only people who ride bikes are illegals that can't afford cars" (Ventura, Ca)
and on that tangent
i was amazed to learn how many people are driving cars without insurance, on suspended licenses, or simply without any I.D. citizenship, etc...

I moved back to Ventura to help out my dad who died of bladder cancer, and help my grandfather and grandma.
they simply could not believe that I'd go out and ride for fun, and that riding a bike was part of my daily "practice"
that I need to ride every day, every week, and that I like to go out on tours, camp, etc... on a bike.
none the less that when I started making friends thru the local cycling community that many are professionals, MD's, engineers, etc...

chandltp

Sounds like it's time for a tandem to hook that trailer onto.

vtjim

When I first started riding, my neighbor thought I got a DWI or something. He said it was because I was riding in the pouring rain.

Another neighbor offered me a ride one morning when it was snowing and I was heading in to work. I guess she meant well.

Now they all know I'm just insane, and not a drunk driver. I really can't remember the last time I drove to work.

sggoodri

Yes. It's also time for a bigger garage....

jefferee

To sum it up: when was the last time you deliberately took the long way to a destination in your car?

Fizzaly

I started out commuting on a bike because of a dui but anymore its just so much easier ive been completely without a car for almost 5 years and have no plans to get my driving privileges back anytime soon why pay the car payments the insurance the registration, up keep GAS the hell with all of it i say i think ive been spending around 200 to 300 yearly tops on my bike with repairs and upgrades thats only one month of a car payment. So when people think its funny that i ride a bike i dont pay any mind to it let em waste their money on car ownership ill keep making my double mortgage payments monthly that i wouldnt be able to do if i drove a car and have my house paid of in another 4years, not bad for being 28years old.

chandltp

Yea.. I have a 3 1/2 car garage and only my wife's van at this time. Got rid of my truck and an antique car.

KD5NRH

I was just wishing I had a rack on the Trek so I could go grab some gas for the mower.

Guess next payday's first spend will be a MEC membership and front/rear racks.

chandltp

So the back rack is for the gas can and the front rack is for the speakers for the realistic engine sounds?