Stupid/Funny/Ignorant things your co-workers say:
08-25-14, 10:53 PM
#76
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As you might have noticed it's a "Reply w/ Quote" to @caloso 's previous post:
"I wish I could ride but I have to wear a tie to work." which was fully referenced in my response.
Any less confused now?
-Bandera
"I wish I could ride but I have to wear a tie to work." which was fully referenced in my response.
Any less confused now?
-Bandera
I just found your statement convoluted and not particularly clear.
I will read it again in the morning.
08-25-14, 11:38 PM
#77
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As a former executive officer in Fortune 500 corporations where proper business attire was appropriate I'd say that your avocation & it's uniform can well afford the ability to do as you please and afford the kit you require when not "in harness" if you are serious about it. Commuting on a bicycle is not appropriate or practical for all jobs, ride instead when/where you can & as you please.
-Bandera
-Bandera
As you might have noticed it's a "Reply w/ Quote" to @caloso 's previous post:
"I wish I could ride but I have to wear a tie to work." which was fully referenced in my response.
Any less confused now?
-Bandera
"I wish I could ride but I have to wear a tie to work." which was fully referenced in my response.
Any less confused now?
-Bandera
?
08-25-14, 11:40 PM
#78
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If you want to get some more astonished inquiries... try riding in a Brompton, and then fold it up in front of them, or ride in on a fat bike in the winter. The comments turn from "... oh, did you ride in... " to, "Wow... what is THAT?" 
Keep 'em guessing, eh?
Keep 'em guessing, eh?
08-26-14, 05:27 AM
#79
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This pushes ignorant into the realm of rude- the select few that ask what I paid for my bike- then are open mouth shocked when I tell them. One guy actually shook his head.
In two months of car payments (even one if you shop wisely) you can buy a solid commuter. .
In two months of car payments (even one if you shop wisely) you can buy a solid commuter. .
08-26-14, 07:00 AM
#80
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Not that frequently at work, because everyone's used to it and I work in Boston, where there's a lot of bike usage, but I'm frequently asked, "did you [really] ride your bike here?" (or variations on that theme). My usual response is, "well, yeah...how else was I gonna get here?"
I've also been called a "Saint."
08-26-14, 07:24 AM
#81
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Nothing really ignorant or stupid. A lot of what's already been shared.
"How far do you ride?" Usually followed by, "Ohmygosh, you ride that far?" (It's only a 24 mile round trip)
"How far do you ride?" Usually followed by, "Ohmygosh, you ride that far?" (It's only a 24 mile round trip)
08-26-14, 08:35 AM
#82
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Not by a co-worker, but when a relative saw my road bike for the first time, he said: "Hey, that bike looks fast, with the skinny tires and all! What's your speed on it, 40/50 kph?"
08-26-14, 09:19 AM
#83
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"I love that milk crate. It gives your bike a kind of 'homeless chic.'"
This one was actually from a student, and it was pretty funny.
This one was actually from a student, and it was pretty funny.
08-26-14, 11:35 AM
#85
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Is that the guy? Has to be the strangest comment. I heard this in the parking garage at my bike, from a group walking the other way. I looked up and saw one turning her body back the way they were walking, and I was the only guy in the area so I'm pretty sure I was the guy ... I assumed it meant the guy who always biked ... but disconcerting to speculate that I'm "that guy" in some other context ...
08-26-14, 11:49 AM
#86
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I loved this one:
"Mind if I ask how old you are?"
"Sixty one."
He claps and spins around. "Dawg! You are BLESSED!"
"Thanks. I guess I am."
Most comments I get are curious, complimentary, or somewhat envious.
The most annoying, while well-intentioned: "Be safe."
"You too."
"Mind if I ask how old you are?"
"Sixty one."
He claps and spins around. "Dawg! You are BLESSED!"
"Thanks. I guess I am."
Most comments I get are curious, complimentary, or somewhat envious.
The most annoying, while well-intentioned: "Be safe."
"You too."
08-26-14, 11:59 AM
#87
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I find it a little offensive when people are shocked at what I paid. I did buy a nice bicycle and lots of touring accessories. Cost me some $2,500+. So what? I don't drive a car and this is my only vehicle. I have an income that would comfortably support a car that costs ten or twenty times as much. I just don't think my spending is as lavish as some of the non-bicyclists seem to think.
08-26-14, 12:12 PM
#88
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40 KPH isn't crazy. That's 24 MPH. My average speed is about 19 and I get over 24 several times on every commute. I hit or exceed 50 kph once in a while.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
08-26-14, 12:12 PM
#89
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Just ask how much they spent on gas last year. Or car maintenance. My family is car light. My wife has a minivan for getting kids to and fro. No commuting by car, but we still put $40 per week of fuel in it. Plus oil changes, and other stuff. Bikes are relatively cheap!
08-26-14, 12:21 PM
#90
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I find it a little offensive when people are shocked at what I paid. I did buy a nice bicycle and lots of touring accessories. Cost me some $2,500+. So what? I don't drive a car and this is my only vehicle. I have an income that would comfortably support a car that costs ten or twenty times as much. I just don't think my spending is as lavish as some of the non-bicyclists seem to think.
08-26-14, 12:33 PM
#91
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08-26-14, 12:43 PM
#92
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Good for you! I reach 40+ only in an all out sprint, 50 only downhill or with a strong tailwind. On my commute I go at 18-22 kph, 30-33 on a very short downhill, avg about 16-20 kph.
08-26-14, 12:46 PM
#93
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Could be; or it could be in reference to the guy who is a dumass. Either way, so what? If other co-workers/acquaintances/strangers weren't talkin' about bicycle commuters, some BF commuters wouldn't have anything to respond to with equally smug insults and ignorant remarks.
08-26-14, 12:48 PM
#94
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I find it a little offensive when people are shocked at what I paid. I did buy a nice bicycle and lots of touring accessories. Cost me some $2,500+. So what? I don't drive a car and this is my only vehicle. I have an income that would comfortably support a car that costs ten or twenty times as much. I just don't think my spending is as lavish as some of the non-bicyclists seem to think.
…I always wondered if the premium prices of CF, which I considered to be about $2000 was worth the presumed enhanced riding experience…
My trusted mechanic said here’s the bike you want, knowing my riding style. Well the MSRP was $8000, but he got it for me at half off.
Now, considering the attitude most non- or occasional cyclists towards bicycles and prices, I’m frankly somewhat embarrassed to admit to paying so much, sounding like some over-the-top conspicuous consumption. Personally, I can afford it, and it was an offer I could not refuse. Cycling is that important to me and I’m fortunate to be able to continue the lifestyle [after a serious cycling accident], so that puts it in perspective for me.
I’m not that conversant with the technical specifics, nor may anyone asking the price, so the price becomes a common reference to tell what a fine piece of machinery it is. But I would nonetheless admit the price only to a close acquaintance in serious conversation.
My trusted mechanic said here’s the bike you want, knowing my riding style. Well the MSRP was $8000, but he got it for me at half off.
Now, considering the attitude most non- or occasional cyclists towards bicycles and prices, I’m frankly somewhat embarrassed to admit to paying so much, sounding like some over-the-top conspicuous consumption. Personally, I can afford it, and it was an offer I could not refuse. Cycling is that important to me and I’m fortunate to be able to continue the lifestyle [after a serious cycling accident], so that puts it in perspective for me.
I’m not that conversant with the technical specifics, nor may anyone asking the price, so the price becomes a common reference to tell what a fine piece of machinery it is. But I would nonetheless admit the price only to a close acquaintance in serious conversation.
08-26-14, 12:57 PM
#95
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Could be; or it could be in reference to the guy who is a dumass. Either way, so what? If other co-workers/acquaintances/strangers weren't talkin' about bicycle commuters, some BF commuters wouldn't have anything to respond to with equally smug insults and ignorant remarks.
Smug, insulting or ignorant though - I think you're barking up the wrong tree.
08-26-14, 01:07 PM
#96
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Not your tree, but read some of the other posts on this thread (and there have been similar threads in the past) that are all about the oh-so-clever comeback remarks the bicyclist responded with (or wishes he had), typically about the other person's weight or car payments.
08-26-14, 01:55 PM
#97
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I've been commuting long enough now that when people comment about my riding/bike/lights it's either positive, or they wonder how bright are those lights anyway?
08-26-14, 02:13 PM
#99
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Once I was carrying my bike on my shoulder and someone walked by and said, "you're doing it backwards!" I thought that was pretty funny.
08-26-14, 02:15 PM
#100
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my boss asks me almost every day if I am riding home as I pack one pannier with my stuff and carry out my water bottle.
the one that makes me uncomfortable is a lady asking where the cute guy in bike shorts went when she saw me before i changed one day.
the one that makes me uncomfortable is a lady asking where the cute guy in bike shorts went when she saw me before i changed one day.