Commuters: Do your co-workers mock you endlessly?
05-02-11 | 08:21 AM
#176
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Temecula, CA
Bikes: Giant FCR-3
Would do virtually anything to keep my money out of Oil...
05-02-11 | 02:00 PM
#177
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 0
From: Northern Colorado
If you don't get to my work early enough, you end up locking your bike to a telephone pole out in the parking lot. We have 5 bike racks, and they fill all-the-way-up nearly every day from April-September.
If people made fun of me like that, I'd probably break down and give them something to make fun of and/or be afraid of. Forget regular bike shorts. I'd find a pair of bibs that look as much like a European race swim suit with suspenders as I could find (thinking of that movie Borat).
Nobody wants to see a guy built like me wearing something like that. The shock alone would make them shut up about the regular cycling clothes.
If people made fun of me like that, I'd probably break down and give them something to make fun of and/or be afraid of. Forget regular bike shorts. I'd find a pair of bibs that look as much like a European race swim suit with suspenders as I could find (thinking of that movie Borat).
Nobody wants to see a guy built like me wearing something like that. The shock alone would make them shut up about the regular cycling clothes.
Last edited by Pinyon; 05-02-11 at 02:06 PM.
05-02-11 | 02:06 PM
#178
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
After seeing the current price of gas, and it's continued trend upwards, I don't think many of my coworkers find anything related to comuting by bike "amusing". In fact, many of them are doing the same... parking their cars and trucks, and riding most everywhere they have to go.
05-06-11 | 10:29 AM
#179
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
From: Dela-where?
Bikes: GT Fitness series, IBEX Vantage 5500, Raleigh M-80
Well, it went better than I expected. Commuted 4 times already, and so far this is what I've heard:
"Why aren't you wearing those ***** pants you had?"
"Gawd, that jacket hurts my eyes"
"that jacket is going to make people want to hit you"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Let me tell you a story of this guy who got killed while riding......"
The usual snickering...
Found my headlight flashing when I went outside to check. Someone admitted to playing with it.
Not a single person said "I need to ride" or asked me for any advice. All think it is a bad idea to ride a bicycle on public roads.
I asked a lot of people if they are interested in meeting me at the local park after work one day to do some MTB'ing. Almost 100 employees and no one has any interest.
I did say to the biggest turd "what are you doing about your weight problems?" after he made the jacket remarks. His response? "Oh, yeah, I plan to join the YMCA soon".....
"Why aren't you wearing those ***** pants you had?"
"Gawd, that jacket hurts my eyes"
"that jacket is going to make people want to hit you"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Let me tell you a story of this guy who got killed while riding......"
The usual snickering...
Found my headlight flashing when I went outside to check. Someone admitted to playing with it.
Not a single person said "I need to ride" or asked me for any advice. All think it is a bad idea to ride a bicycle on public roads.
I asked a lot of people if they are interested in meeting me at the local park after work one day to do some MTB'ing. Almost 100 employees and no one has any interest.
I did say to the biggest turd "what are you doing about your weight problems?" after he made the jacket remarks. His response? "Oh, yeah, I plan to join the YMCA soon".....
05-06-11 | 10:35 AM
#180
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus
I'm in the suburbs and am the only one that commutes to work. I wish I started doing this earlier, I've been working here for 5 years and bought my bike two weeks ago. I can only imagine with all the gas money I would've saved I could've bought a nice road bike 
05-06-11 | 11:02 AM
#181
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
Likes: 17
From: Minneapolis
Well, it went better than I expected. Commuted 4 times already, and so far this is what I've heard:
"Why aren't you wearing those ***** pants you had?"
"Gawd, that jacket hurts my eyes"
"that jacket is going to make people want to hit you"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Let me tell you a story of this guy who got killed while riding......"
The usual snickering...
Found my headlight flashing when I went outside to check. Someone admitted to playing with it.
Not a single person said "I need to ride" or asked me for any advice. All think it is a bad idea to ride a bicycle on public roads.
I asked a lot of people if they are interested in meeting me at the local park after work one day to do some MTB'ing. Almost 100 employees and no one has any interest.
I did say to the biggest turd "what are you doing about your weight problems?" after he made the jacket remarks. His response? "Oh, yeah, I plan to join the YMCA soon".....
"Why aren't you wearing those ***** pants you had?"
"Gawd, that jacket hurts my eyes"
"that jacket is going to make people want to hit you"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Let me tell you a story of this guy who got killed while riding......"
The usual snickering...
Found my headlight flashing when I went outside to check. Someone admitted to playing with it.
Not a single person said "I need to ride" or asked me for any advice. All think it is a bad idea to ride a bicycle on public roads.
I asked a lot of people if they are interested in meeting me at the local park after work one day to do some MTB'ing. Almost 100 employees and no one has any interest.
I did say to the biggest turd "what are you doing about your weight problems?" after he made the jacket remarks. His response? "Oh, yeah, I plan to join the YMCA soon".....
Last edited by tjspiel; 05-06-11 at 12:44 PM.
05-06-11 | 12:34 PM
#182
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Well, it went better than I expected. Commuted 4 times already, and so far this is what I've heard:
"Why aren't you wearing those ***** pants you had?"
"Gawd, that jacket hurts my eyes"
"that jacket is going to make people want to hit you"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Let me tell you a story of this guy who got killed while riding......"
The usual snickering...
Found my headlight flashing when I went outside to check. Someone admitted to playing with it.
Not a single person said "I need to ride" or asked me for any advice. All think it is a bad idea to ride a bicycle on public roads.
I asked a lot of people if they are interested in meeting me at the local park after work one day to do some MTB'ing. Almost 100 employees and no one has any interest.
I did say to the biggest turd "what are you doing about your weight problems?" after he made the jacket remarks. His response? "Oh, yeah, I plan to join the YMCA soon".....
"Why aren't you wearing those ***** pants you had?"
"Gawd, that jacket hurts my eyes"
"that jacket is going to make people want to hit you"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Let me tell you a story of this guy who got killed while riding......"
The usual snickering...
Found my headlight flashing when I went outside to check. Someone admitted to playing with it.
Not a single person said "I need to ride" or asked me for any advice. All think it is a bad idea to ride a bicycle on public roads.
I asked a lot of people if they are interested in meeting me at the local park after work one day to do some MTB'ing. Almost 100 employees and no one has any interest.
I did say to the biggest turd "what are you doing about your weight problems?" after he made the jacket remarks. His response? "Oh, yeah, I plan to join the YMCA soon".....
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-06-11 | 02:12 PM
#183
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
The owner is a former union blue-collar worker. When he is dissatisfied with his employees, he resorts to yelling and uses language that would make Al Capone look like a saint. All of the managers were field workers that were promoted for the wrong reasons: Other companies offered them positions, they handed in their resignations, boss needed them, so promoted them to well-paid managers and gave them company vehicles. When painful decisions are made, the owner & his wife disappear and leave the managers to do the firing/layoffs. I've been there for 11 years now, and had maybe 4 or 5 very brief discussions with the owner, even though his office is 50 feet down the hall. My direct supervisor takes personal time off without informing anyone on his team. Bosses sneak out the door two hours before closing time and hope no one notices. I have a disabled kid, and my supervisor openly told a few co-workers that my kid was "all f----d up" while I was standing there. He repeats that often. Things got somewhat better after we hired a CFO that has worked for big companies and gave the owners some tips on how to run a business better.
Forget about all the other childish, homophobic, ignorant garbage those morons spew...this is what makes me want to find your boss and drill holes in his hands.
05-06-11 | 02:44 PM
#184
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
Bikes: 1989 Fuji Saratoga, Salsa Mukluk, Electra Townie
I can understand how you can shrug off the 'gay' or 'dangerous' or whatever comments--but I can't comprehend how this does not have you bristling with rage.
Forget about all the other childish, homophobic, ignorant garbage those morons spew...this is what makes me want to find your boss and drill holes in his hands.
Forget about all the other childish, homophobic, ignorant garbage those morons spew...this is what makes me want to find your boss and drill holes in his hands.
05-06-11 | 03:01 PM
#185
Velocommuter Commando
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 38
From: Houston, Texas
Bikes: '88 Specialized Sirrus, '89 Alpine Monitor Pass, two '70 Raligh Twenties, '07 Schwinn Town & Country Trike, '07 Specialized Sirrus Hybrid
I can understand how you can shrug off the 'gay' or 'dangerous' or whatever comments--but I can't comprehend how this does not have you bristling with rage.
Forget about all the other childish, homophobic, ignorant garbage those morons spew...this is what makes me want to find your boss and drill holes in his hands.
Forget about all the other childish, homophobic, ignorant garbage those morons spew...this is what makes me want to find your boss and drill holes in his hands.
05-06-11 | 08:29 PM
#186
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
From: Dela-where?
Bikes: GT Fitness series, IBEX Vantage 5500, Raleigh M-80
I can understand how you can shrug off the 'gay' or 'dangerous' or whatever comments--but I can't comprehend how this does not have you bristling with rage.
Forget about all the other childish, homophobic, ignorant garbage those morons spew...this is what makes me want to find your boss and drill holes in his hands.
Forget about all the other childish, homophobic, ignorant garbage those morons spew...this is what makes me want to find your boss and drill holes in his hands.
05-06-11 | 08:31 PM
#187
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
From: Dela-where?
Bikes: GT Fitness series, IBEX Vantage 5500, Raleigh M-80
05-06-11 | 08:37 PM
#188
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 253
From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5
J.
05-06-11 | 11:59 PM
#189
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
I'm still gonna go with "get another job". Easier said than done, for sure, but why put up with that sh**t?
05-07-11 | 05:48 AM
#190
commuter and barbarian
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 3
From: Potomac, MT, USA
05-08-11 | 02:18 PM
#191
Strong with the Fred
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
I get a few wisecrack remarks but most say that, while they admire what I do they wouldn't bike to work. One manager(not mine) remarked that driving is smarter and easier and I says, 'Yeah, well enjoy your fat butt!".
My previous manager and my present manager show support and let me store the bike inside, under the stairs.
Ernest
My previous manager and my present manager show support and let me store the bike inside, under the stairs.
Ernest
05-08-11 | 03:38 PM
#192
Goonie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Bikes: Raleigh R600, Trek 6000, Schwinn World Tour single speed, Old JC Penny single speed beater, Various other old beaters
The last place I worked some of the employees made comments, but they were mostly joking, as we joked with each other a lot. Where I am at now, people seem to be in awe that I would bike 10.5 miles to work and a few of them even started biking a few days a week after seeing me do it.
05-09-11 | 03:47 PM
#195
Banned.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Jamis, WA
Bikes: Jamis Aurora Elite
05-09-11 | 03:55 PM
#196
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,767
Likes: 3,937
From: Louisville, KY
Apparently they look like pants that have sex with other pants of the same gender. Either that or really happy pants.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
05-09-11 | 06:38 PM
#198
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
From: Dela-where?
Bikes: GT Fitness series, IBEX Vantage 5500, Raleigh M-80
Many people bring up the "f*ggy pants" or "gay-a** pants" issue with me, almost all of them think we wear them to look cool.
No matter how many times I tell them that they are constructed for comfort, etc, they don't want to hear it. The simple thought of a man wearing spandex shorts is so taboo among the general population, there is no point in explaining.
Smart cyclists listen to others' experiences and try them out. Just about all of my old riding buddies have a pair.
I will wear them when I am not riding to mingle with anyone other than fellow cyclists.
No matter how many times I tell them that they are constructed for comfort, etc, they don't want to hear it. The simple thought of a man wearing spandex shorts is so taboo among the general population, there is no point in explaining.
Smart cyclists listen to others' experiences and try them out. Just about all of my old riding buddies have a pair.
I will wear them when I am not riding to mingle with anyone other than fellow cyclists.
05-10-11 | 01:47 AM
#200
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Wow, where do some of you guys work? I just started commuting and my coworkers have nothing but positive things to say. One of them has seen some of us starting to commute recently and seems to be almost at the point of trying it. I don't have lycra gear, but I did come in with my oversized safety vest and grease stains on my clothes (screwed up putting the bike on the bus rack today). We have one guy who always takes his bike + lightrail into work, and a few people who ride in sometimes, so I guess we have a more accepting culture here. FWIW I work in tech support in northern california. Maybe that has something to do with it.