lost_in_endicot

I had one guy just laugh and walk away. The next day he drove in his motorcycle and said he drove in a real bike. I had another guy point at my bike and tell me that it was "stupid money- at least a grand in the bike alone." He didn't realize that it was mine. After putting my boots on, I stuffed my helmet into an empty pannier and said "about $350 for the bike itself, $600 all together with the bags, fenders, and rack." He didn't say anything after that.

ThermionicScott 

Savor it!

downwinded

Dummest one to me has been "how does anyone fit their butt on that narrow seat" ? Was not an insult to me nor were they overweight themselves. Have they no concept of human anatomy?

TransitBiker

When i saw my first milk crate sitting by some dumpsters back in may:



Then i looked more and saw a SECOND!

- Andy

noglider 

I didn't mind any of these comments. They just meant I was doing something unusual, and they wanted to make some sort of connection with me.

I don't live in the suburbs any more, so I don't get those comments any more. Bike commuting has become commonplace here.

I remember long ago, living in the suburbs, I drove to work every day. One day, dropped my car at the garage for repair and rode into work. A cow-orker asked if I was "one of those guys who ride 16 miles a day." He thought 16 miles was a lot. As it happened, I had just ridden 16 miles, so that was funny.

Years later, the guy decided to get in shape. Last year on Facebook, he said proudly that he rode 30 miles in a day. So ... great!

boomhauer

i think you win the prize. That is a commute that would make me choke.

El Cid

Back at my old workplace, I had some derisive comments about weather the company should get me a parking space for my bike. It got worse. I started dating the daughter of one of my co-workers, and she became the butt of numerous jokes over going out with a guy that has no car. I got asked several times if I might put a sidecar on my bike so I could carry her around.

I've been at a new machine shop for three years, and things are much better here. Nobody cares that I ride a bike to work, except the night shift supervisor who likes to ride singletrack as much as I do. I ever get a certain respect for braving the elements all year round. My response: "Its not that bad as long as you dress for it."

I have to say, though, I've been getting occasional comments from strangers since I picked up a Surly Krampus last year. The 29x3" tires really stand out. Most commonly, people comment that I must get along pretty well with those "winter tires". Ironically, those Knard tires are actually pretty crappy in snow.

Blues Frog

Most of all the comments have already been made and shared. And most of my coworkers have a friendly comment and admiration for my miniscule ride to work. I only had one who said the word stupid. I couldn't hold my tongue and mentioned the dollars in gas he spent in the last 12 months. I mentioned that I didn't ( spend money on gas ). He hasn't mentioned it again. But my common sense and IQ could be questioned as I have worked in a prison for 18 years.

Todzilla

Most folks are admiring and consider it some huge sacrifice I make. Then they feel the need to tell me why they can't do it, as if I'm keeping score.

Motolegs

How do you get across (two busy streets on my route)? You wait for traffic to clear, then amble on across. Simple enough. These two roads ironically are real stress zones while driving!

RubeRad

"Faster than pedestrians?"

PatrickGSR94

How do you get across (any busy street)? The same way as the cars do, duh!

Whenever people seem to think that I'm nuts for commuting to work, I tell them I can usually go 2 to 2 1/2 weeks on a single, small tank of gas (only commuting 2 days a week) and that seems to shut them up. Most people fill up every 4 to 7 days, so the idea of stretching 10 gallons of fuel (small tank in my small car) seems to make the light bulb come on. Not that most people around here would try it, but they do start to see some of the appeal of bike commuting.

RubeRad

I keep my car at work in the parking deck, where it can sit for months between when I need to use it. I have driven it less than 500 miles this year. Last time I needed to use it, the battery was dead, fortunately it's a stick, and I was able to push it over to a downhill ramp where I was able to jump it.

PatrickGSR94

Be sure to change the oil in the car at least once a year. Not getting used much can be just as bad or worse on the engine than using it regularly.

RubeRad

OK thx, I better get on that, since I haven't been driving it's been like 18mo since I changed it. Also at the beginning of 2013 they told me my brake pads were at 3% and I've been putting off replacing them...

joeyduck

3% left or 3% used! Usually you will have heard squealing and had a really soft pedal if there is only 3% left. That is not safe at all.

And @PatrickGSR94 is right, change the oil. It is bad for a car to sit that long, things start to dry out and not get the lubrication they are designed, so the wear when you start driving is really bad. I would suggest take it for a little drive at least once a month.

RubeRad

3% left. No noticeable noise or performance issues with the brakes though. Not only do I not drive much, but generally drive gently, coasting a lot and using brakes as little as possible. Part of my driving philosophy is, if you have to use the brakes, you didn't plan ahead and used (wasted) too much gas.

joeyduck

That is my approach to driving also. As you know from cycling your braking is not always dependent on your abilities.

And 3% is just bad, it starts to expose rivets for the braking surface, cracks can form along the braking surface, a chunk of braking surface can fall off. Metal on metal braking is bad. It is not the risk to you, it is the risk to others.

Medic Zero

That's when I get the big eyes from folks. When they find out that I'm planning on putting in another 3 to 20 miles on my way home, it totally blows their minds. As if they already thought I was crazy, but now I'm definitely some sort of masochist. Most of the the time I'm just adding 5-10 miles, but sometimes I'll meet up with a friend and put in 30 or 40 miles on my way home. Easy for me, since I work nights and since I work 12 hour shifts, only 3 days a week, so when I put in the bigger miles, it's when I've got the next day off. I like ​getting more excercise, but I'm doing it because I enjoy riding!

Medic Zero

I think that is the one I get the most. I sometimes get offered the opportunity to go home early if it is slow. Since I work nights and they know I always cycle, I always get asked if it's safe/if I want to ride home/etc. I always tell them I prefer riding home in the middle of the night, as no one else is on the road and I've got good lights. They always seem skeptical and I feel like I have to reassure them, that yes, I am actually relishing the idea of a rare ride home in the middle of the night!

Medic Zero

For someone who seems to be espousing "turn the other cheek", you sure seem to be on the attack all the time.

mgw4jc

Not necessarily stupid or ignorant, but this morning as I was locking up my bike, a coworker getting out of her car said, "It just amazes me that you time getting here so well."

I don't know why that would be difficult. She obviously knows how long it takes her to drive here. Why couldn't I figure out how long it takes for me to ride? It's not like there will suddenly be a hill or an extra 5 miles unexpectedly appearing on my route.

In fact, my timing is probably more consistent than most drivers because I generally don't have any traffic delays.

Tundra_Man 

My favorite comment was a couple years ago as I was walking out of the back door of the office. A couple co-workers were standing there watching me put on my helmet and goggles and one of them said, "Looks like you're ready to be shot out of the cannon. Can I watch?"

I laughed pretty good at that one. It was all in fun.

genec

No. I once worked for a company where the senior executives were found to be guilty of insider trading... thus satisfying their narcissistic greed vice the mutual benefit of the entire company.

Eventually the executives were fined, and voted out by share holders. The company is still trying to recover from the greed of the senior executives.

gregf83 

My point was senior execs are no different than anyone else. There are good and bad people period.