Commuters: Do your co-workers mock you endlessly?
#52
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
If that happened where I work, there would be a tsunami of pink slips.
All I hear is the occasional "ride safe" and the obligatory lots of people saying "I wish I could do that." I didn't know riding a bike was so hard.
All I hear is the occasional "ride safe" and the obligatory lots of people saying "I wish I could do that." I didn't know riding a bike was so hard.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#53
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
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From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
Bikes: 2010 GT Tachyon 3.0
About 8 years ago I commuted to work 2 times a week. The first few weeks were horrendous. I have to walk through the building to get to my office, and it is a gauntlet of people hooting & hollering, laughing, and pinching my ass because I am wearing what they call "gay pants" and a hi-viz shirt/jacket.
You have five fingers, one of them has a use here.
Originally Posted by 2wheelcommute
Jesus, where do you work? Maybe you should talk to management--if they're letting that environment persist, they're opening themselves up to a decent employment lawsuit (especially the pinching and "gay" comments)
This should be distributed to HR.
#55
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
Bikes: 2010 GT Tachyon 3.0
Work on smartest, meanest comebacks and deliver them with the sweetest smile in as public setting as possible. You will kill two birds with one stone - embarrass the heck of the clowns and build quite the reputation. I am known for my abrasive tongue but someone chose to ignore the reputation. The zinger was "That's how I am twice your age and half your size". Ouch.
Or build something along the lines of "reducing my carbon a$$-print" into a comeback.
Or build something along the lines of "reducing my carbon a$$-print" into a comeback.
Last edited by bluefoxicy; 04-20-11 at 08:20 AM.
#56
Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC
Bikes: Raleigh Tourist, Jamis Coda, Rad City e-bike & a bright orange Citizen Miami folder
if these kids ( can't really call them adults based on your description ) are razzing your for wearing leathers and a helmet on a motorcycle ride I don't see that any of the bicyclist based suggestions from the denizens of the forum are going to be really on point. I don't wear spandex myself and my version of high viz wear is a yellow road workers vest from Home Depot ( $15 for a much better vest than my LBS had at $25 ). If you really feel like you need to count some coup on these bozos you might do some math on what it cost the average F150 super cab diesel to drive to work this week and then make a point of letting them know what it cost you to drive/ride to work this MONTH. Personally I think the real daring do's are the ones with a millimeter of fabric between their skin and the asphalt rather than three feet of steel to cushion their delicate, wimpy hides but thats just me.
#57
FrankTheCrank
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Alabama, sometime in the 1950's
Bikes: Surly LHT, Bilenky Tourlite Travel, Scattante 650
I think you have other problems... ditch the uber-cyclist in tights crap - that for sure won't fly in your type of environment. Wear shorts or pants overtop. The hi-viz stuff doesn't need to make you look like a crossing guard. If that is all these guys are teasing you about then that should fix it.
Obviously you also need to stop getting so worked up about it or you won't last long.
Obviously you also need to stop getting so worked up about it or you won't last long.
#59
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
i can't believe there are work places where supposed adults act (are allowed to act) like such children. i guess it's possible, but it's just so foreign to me, as i've always worked in professional environments where adults have a very strong tendency to actually behave like adults.
i work in a small office where 6 out of 8 of us are at least fairweather, part-time bike commuters, but i'm the only hardcore, year-round, ride-through-anything nut-job, so the worst i ever seem to get from my co-workers is the incredulous dumbfoundedness when i ride in during especially crappy weather and they say "my god, you actually rode your bike today!?! you're nuts". now that i've been doing this for several years, i get it less often because my coworkers are all familiarized with the fact that i'll ride through pretty much anything (except thunderstorms: lightning paranoia).
i work in a small office where 6 out of 8 of us are at least fairweather, part-time bike commuters, but i'm the only hardcore, year-round, ride-through-anything nut-job, so the worst i ever seem to get from my co-workers is the incredulous dumbfoundedness when i ride in during especially crappy weather and they say "my god, you actually rode your bike today!?! you're nuts". now that i've been doing this for several years, i get it less often because my coworkers are all familiarized with the fact that i'll ride through pretty much anything (except thunderstorms: lightning paranoia).
Last edited by Steely Dan; 04-20-11 at 04:25 PM.
#60
#61
I didn't get the drift he was trying to prove a point. Obviously the ass grabbing is queer behaviour, since this isn't a bunch of confused football guys, but adults. Frankly changing clothing isn't letting the "terrorists" win or endorsing their behaviours, but it may be the only way OP can just get on with things.
#62
i can't believe there are work places where supposed adults act (are allowed to act) like such children. i guess it's possible, but it's just so foreign to me, as i've always worked in professional environments where adults have a very strong tendency to actually behave like adults.
i work in a small office where 6 out of 8 of us are at least fairweather, part-time bike commuters, but i'm the only hardcore, year-round, ride-through-anything nut-job, so the worst i ever seem to get from my co-workers is the incredulous dumbfoundedness when i ride in during especially crappy weather and they say "my god, you actually rode your bike today!?! you're nuts". now that i've been doing this for several years, i get it less often because my coworkers are all familiarized with the fact that i'll ride through pretty much anything (except thunderstorms: lightning paranoia).
i work in a small office where 6 out of 8 of us are at least fairweather, part-time bike commuters, but i'm the only hardcore, year-round, ride-through-anything nut-job, so the worst i ever seem to get from my co-workers is the incredulous dumbfoundedness when i ride in during especially crappy weather and they say "my god, you actually rode your bike today!?! you're nuts". now that i've been doing this for several years, i get it less often because my coworkers are all familiarized with the fact that i'll ride through pretty much anything (except thunderstorms: lightning paranoia).
#63
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 591
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From: Long Beach, Ca.
Bikes: Raleigh Sojourn, '67 Raleigh Super Course, old Gary Fisher Mamba, and a generic Chinese folder
I had long hair back in the day, and caught the "is that a little boy or a little girl" thing until I got into high school. I just laughed it off, even as a kid, or I'd give a wisea$$ answer back. If it bothered me, I'd have cut my hair. People will be people and will mock what appears to be different. I'm not condoning it, by any means, but am just stating fact. Either you will have to get used to it, come back with some witty comments and not show them it bugs you, or change what you bike in. May not be right (it isn't) but"thems the facts!"
#64
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
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From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
#65
Hrumph!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 253
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From: Vancouver, Canada
Bikes: 2007 Dahon Cadenza w/ Alfine IGH11, modified MEC Desire w/Alfine IGH8,+ 2 ebikes: Bionx PL350 & 36V eZee FHB/Tidalforce frames.
At 6'3" 207lbs the only person who tries and gets away with that sort of thing is my wife.
Just reading this is infuriating, though. I think I'd actually separate the bastard's hand from his arm if he tried that with me. Then, if I was feeling benevolent, I might treat his bleeding stump, carefully package the severed hand for transport with him to the ER and calmly ask if he's learned anything and how attached he might be to his other hand.
Seriously though, that's an astounding level of ignorance and hostility that you're being confronted with. My hat's off to you for maintaining your composure.
B.
Just reading this is infuriating, though. I think I'd actually separate the bastard's hand from his arm if he tried that with me. Then, if I was feeling benevolent, I might treat his bleeding stump, carefully package the severed hand for transport with him to the ER and calmly ask if he's learned anything and how attached he might be to his other hand.
Seriously though, that's an astounding level of ignorance and hostility that you're being confronted with. My hat's off to you for maintaining your composure.
B.
#66
Cyclist, Runner & TRX'er
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 193
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From: Eagan, MN
Bikes: Steel Bianchi, 29 inch Redline Monocog, a Carbon something someday
Too funny getting harrassed and all. Right now I ride in jeans and sweatshirts but all I get from the ladies is "when you going to switch to riding shorts"... All I tell them is "soon enough girls. Soon enough". As you can imagine, I can't wait.
#67
My co-workers are always in admiration of my bike commuting and I've even inspired others to commute. Sounds like a case of jealousy. I'd suggest to your employer that they have a healthy lifestyles initiative or similar where there is some recognition for cycling to work.
#68
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
If someone was grabbing my ass and making comments at work like that, I'd file a sexual harassment charge with HR against them. I'm sure a guy would just LOVE to have a sexual harassment charge on his file against another guy.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#70
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 637
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From: Miami, FL
Bikes: Raleigh Record Ace, Windsor The Hour
I have been commuting to all around for the past year and half, and get into the roadie character every other day to blast out on my roadbike. Back to the original topic. Yes, they would make fun of me in the beginning. Six months down the line, they stopped. Instead, I started getting questions and comments. "Dude how did you lose so much weight ???", "Hey man ,could you help me with my bike ?", etc... Gas is going up and I am enjoying my rides to and from work on a daily basis =)
#71
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
I recently started commuting to work and my boss mocks me a little too. Not quite to the extent of your mocking, but things like laughing at me the first time he saw me in my cycling clothes going home. He rags on everyone, though, including himself. It's weird, because he is a super nice guy. I think giving people a hard time is how he relates to them. It's getting less frequent; now he mostly just calls me "Lance" or "Indurain".
#72
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Bikes: Raleigh Record Ace, Windsor The Hour
I recently started commuting to work and my boss mocks me a little too. Not quite to the extent of your mocking, but things like laughing at me the first time he saw me in my cycling clothes going home. He rags on everyone, though, including himself. It's weird, because he is a super nice guy. I think giving people a hard time is how he relates to them. It's getting less frequent; now he mostly just calls me "Lance" or "Indurain".
#73
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Sounds to me like this is a small contractor, so there may not be an "HR" other than an administrator or accountant in the small office. I'd imagine the only recourse would be governmental - labor law - type action.
#74
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 164
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From: Palm Coast, Fl.
Bikes: Cannondale SystemSix Carbon
I have been commuting for about 3 years now and just recently built a new bike for adding the weekend job to the commute 40 miles one way. Everybody made jokes, remarks and such. They all know never to touch my bike or a serious injury will occur since I let people know from the door that they are all overweight, out of shape and are just begging for a heart attack. They usually ease off and ponder that thought for a while. They all in the last year have come to me one by one privately and asked advice on a bike, clothing and mindset to get involved in cycling. The trick is to never come off your morals when it comes to biking and show people you mean business from the door. People don't like knowing their life will be shorter without exercise Especially men!
#75
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Bikes: Raleigh Record Ace, Windsor The Hour
I have been commuting for about 3 years now and just recently built a new bike for adding the weekend job to the commute 40 miles one way. Everybody made jokes, remarks and such. They all know never to touch my bike or a serious injury will occur since I let people know from the door that they are all overweight, out of shape and are just begging for a heart attack. They usually ease off and ponder that thought for a while. They all in the last year have come to me one by one privately and asked advice on a bike, clothing and mindset to get involved in cycling. The trick is to never come off your morals when it comes to biking and show people you mean business from the door. People don't like knowing their life will be shorter without exercise Especially men!



