**Confessions thread**
#176
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
Bikes: Old Cannondales: '85 ST400, '85 ST500, '85 SR900, '01 R600 CAAD4
That's my own little confession: I usually like my commute less in the summer because everyone's out on the greenway. But a good bike cleavage shot can make it worthwhile, even if it makes me feel like skeevy Old Man Herbert
#179
- I'm significantly overwieght, and don't care if I look horrible in bike shorts. They are comfortable, and easier to wash-out and dry before I get off work each day. I try not to go into stores or anything with them, but otherwise don't care. We have what we have...
- I also like riding hills, and broke a new saddle with titanium rails last year on a ride up into the local foothills (I push back against the saddle pretty hard, so that I can push more than I actually weigh, while remaining seated).
- I keep my chain so well-lubed, that I have to remind myself to check it for stretch once a year or so, or risk ruining the entire rear cassette and front chainrings (which I've done...on multiple occasions - very expensive).
- I'm one of those guys that carry's the kitchen sink in their trunk bag (2 700-c tubes, 2 26-inch tubes, patch kit, small first aid kit....).
I've never followed a pretty lady before. Although, if I'm deep in thought about something while riding (usually a computer geek problem work), I am more apt to catch myself, or the lady catch me, absentmindedly staring at public cleavage displays.
#180
I usually commute in jeans and one time my pants split right down the a-crack and I had to ride four miles back home in rush hour traffic with plaid boxers showing through my rear. I came up to a stop light behind a guy in spandex and hid my presence because I didn't want him to see my shame.
I am just really glad that it didn't happen on the way to work...
I am just really glad that it didn't happen on the way to work...
#181
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, KY
Bikes: 2014 Giant Avail 2, 1999? Giant Sedona
#183
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach,CA
Bikes: Kona Ute, Nishiki 4130, Trek 7000, K2 Mach 1.0, Novara Randonee, Schwinn Loop, K2 Zed 1.0, Schwinn Cream, Torker Boardwalk
I usually commute in jeans and one time my pants split right down the a-crack and I had to ride four miles back home in rush hour traffic with plaid boxers showing through my rear. I came up to a stop light behind a guy in spandex and hid my presence because I didn't want him to see my shame.
I am just really glad that it didn't happen on the way to work...
I am just really glad that it didn't happen on the way to work...
#184
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: North Vancouver, BC
1. I confess to spending my entire morning at work reading this thread instead of actually earning my paycheck
2. Until recently (my gf made me promise to stop) I used to commute without a helmet, and full over-ear DJ noise cancelling headphones on with my music way loud. I reasoned that I was OK becuase I would shoulder-check more often.
3. I'm THAT guy on a knobbly-tired, front suspensioned mountain bike that just HAS to blow past everyone on the climbs, while still sitting. I prefer to blow past the roadies, but I'll take women and children too just to feed my ego. If someone tried to pass me, I always start racing them.
4. I know it would be easy to make my commuter more efficient by swapping tires, stiffening fork etc. but I'm too lazy. I just inflated my tires for the first time yesterday, and was genuinely surprised this morning that my average speed went up by 3-4mph. For one year I've been riding on 35psi tires without doing anything about it.
5. I confess I used to be a bad driver, until I started commuting by bike. Now, I think every driver should be forced to commute by bike for at least 1 week each year so they know what it's like.
2. Until recently (my gf made me promise to stop) I used to commute without a helmet, and full over-ear DJ noise cancelling headphones on with my music way loud. I reasoned that I was OK becuase I would shoulder-check more often.
3. I'm THAT guy on a knobbly-tired, front suspensioned mountain bike that just HAS to blow past everyone on the climbs, while still sitting. I prefer to blow past the roadies, but I'll take women and children too just to feed my ego. If someone tried to pass me, I always start racing them.
4. I know it would be easy to make my commuter more efficient by swapping tires, stiffening fork etc. but I'm too lazy. I just inflated my tires for the first time yesterday, and was genuinely surprised this morning that my average speed went up by 3-4mph. For one year I've been riding on 35psi tires without doing anything about it.
5. I confess I used to be a bad driver, until I started commuting by bike. Now, I think every driver should be forced to commute by bike for at least 1 week each year so they know what it's like.
#186
#187
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
This morning I noticed that even on a day when I kept wondering why I was going so slow I still had the ability to instantly go faster when I noticed another rider ahead of me. I didn't want to pass them, but it suddenly seemed like I was finally able to get moving then.
#190
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
On my studded-tired, rack-and-panniers monstrosity I will sprint like hell to pass someone in Lycra on a race bike, then make sure that I can say "Hey, nice morning, huh?" as I pass without seeming to be out of breath.
I hate the people on electric bikes, I feel like they're cheating.
I hate the people on electric bikes, I feel like they're cheating.
#192
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: PDX
Bikes: Trek 1200, Kona Honky Inc, PX Stealth
#196
commuter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Columbus,Ohio
Bikes: Trek 520, Giant Iguana
I burn less than 500 cal on a ride but will use it as an excuse to eat 2000 cal of cake and cookies later
I wear headphones when I ride.
I could quietly show up to work on my bike, but I try to have as many of my coworkers see me ride in. If the weather is bad I make even more of a effort to be seen.
I wear headphones when I ride.
I could quietly show up to work on my bike, but I try to have as many of my coworkers see me ride in. If the weather is bad I make even more of a effort to be seen.
#199
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 0
hitchhiked 4x on tour
Not commuting related, but bike related.
I hitchhiked 4x on tour, once to Onyx Summit above Big Bear City (it was getting dark, I had nowhere to camp), once on the climb up to Sequoia Natl Park (killer switchbacks, traffic, and elevation gain), once going up Tioga Pass on the Northeast exit of Yosemite Natl Park, apparently the the highest mountain pass in California or the nation, I'm not sure....and once going up Lassen Natl Park, no excuse for that one. That's the only one I feel bad about cos I could have done but at that point in the tour, I was just beat and demoralized.
I hitchhiked 4x on tour, once to Onyx Summit above Big Bear City (it was getting dark, I had nowhere to camp), once on the climb up to Sequoia Natl Park (killer switchbacks, traffic, and elevation gain), once going up Tioga Pass on the Northeast exit of Yosemite Natl Park, apparently the the highest mountain pass in California or the nation, I'm not sure....and once going up Lassen Natl Park, no excuse for that one. That's the only one I feel bad about cos I could have done but at that point in the tour, I was just beat and demoralized.




It's fun. My friends think I'm nuts.
