sknhgy 

This year my sister-in-law is hosting Thanksgiving. It is an all-day event. It will be attended by my wife's siblings, their spouses, and their/our kids. Our generation is the oldest in attendance. Many of us only see each other once or twice a year.
A lot of just sitting around happens. A lot of drinking happens. The women hang out in the kitchen and drink and talk. Us guys find a place in front of the tube where we kill time. I don't drink. It's boring at times.
Think it's rude to bring a bike and slip off for a ride?

BluesDawg

Once they start drinking and watching football, they won't even know you're missing for a couple of hours. Slipping off to ride a century might be a tad disrespectful, though.

wobblyoldgeezer

I know that different families and households have different conventions and expectations, but personally I wouldn't think it rude.

I'd try to be very cheerful, leaving and returning, adding a quirky story of your ride - sounds like it might be one of the more interesting post-feast events of the day. So long as you can enjoy the inevitable post ride teasing from the well lubricated observers!

Maybe just 'slipping off' might not be the way to play it, just maybe

sojourn

Of course it's rude.....but at our age, who cares!

Barrettscv 

lol!

himespau 

I'd say go for it. Burn off some of that stuffing.

jimmuller 

Just get back before the game is over.

webist

Gonna spend 2 days with the kids/grandkids. Planning on taking the bike.

Standalone 

I'd say yes. Maybe you can avoid that by offering to instead lead a late afternoon post dinner ride with all the kids in tow. Have them bring their helmets and bikes and roll around the neighborhood for a bit. They'll love it, and every adult in the house will appreciate it.

Dan Burkhart 

It's no more rude than falling asleep in the living room after turkey dinner. If I don't get up and move, that's pretty much what will happen.
I say go for it. Just don't make it a double century or anything like that.

rydabent

I see you are from Ill. If the family get together is further south plead wanting to get in one more ride in a warmer area. Also plead the fact you arent getting any younger.

Or as hinted by others. Just go for the ride no matter what they think. As they say most people dont think anyway!!!!

leob1

Ask your wife. The aftermath of you sliping away may not be worth it. Or she might just think it's a good idea.

sknhgy 

They are used to me "marching to my own drummer." My one sister-in-law teases me about being "all ate up" with bicycling. No one will be surprised. In fact, I've done it before. I'm just wondering if it's rude or not. Even if it was it probably wouldn't stop me from doing it. It's in Madison County and they have tons of trails. I wish I could get someone, anyone, to go along with me. Maybe I could suggest that others bring their bikes. We could make it a holiday tradition.
I don't dress up in kit or anything. I just bring my beater mtb and go for a cruise around town.

NOS88

Not at my house, it wouldn't be - that is, under two conditions. 1. Clean up from the meal is done. You can't use a ride to get away from that. 2. There are other bikes available so that others can ride too, or at least be offered the opportunity. In fact, I'm swapping out pedals on three of my bikes to make them ride friendly for Thanksgiving guests who won't have cycling shoes. My two sons will be bringing their bikes.

stapfam

Just take a couple of spare bikes along and ask who is going to join you--You will be thrown out the door quicker than jack Robinson.

It would then be "Impolite" not to excede to their request to go.

BigAura

I say ask your sister-in-law not a bunch of cycling addicts. There's only one universally accepted addiction allowed...eating.

CbadRider

I don't think it's rude if your other option is sitting in front of the TV and drinking.

I've already informed my family that I'm bringing comfortable shoes and will be going for a walk after the meal. A couple of them have said they want to join me.

XR2

I wouldn't consider a stroll after a heavy meal rude so why should a ride be any different. Disappearing for 4 hours may be a different story though. It's all a matter of degree. Now if I brought my dirt bike and tore up the backyard**********

rck

I'm generally incapable of doing much of anything after Thanksgiving dinner!

treebound 

Put out a ride request from other site members in the area, then you can say you are participating in a Thanksgiving event which make it an official activity. Bring back pictures on your cell phone to show everyone, after the 5th pic of someone's rear derailleur they will have forgotten all about your departure. Anyone still interested will be joining you on next year's Thanksgiving day ride.

Pamestique 

I had pondered this... no one knows the family crowd like you... would they or your wife be upset if you took off for a ride? If you say "yes" you have your answer.

Thanksgiving is all about FAMILY not ME time. Trust me, I would rather be anywhere else than at the family's for Thanksgiving, but that's not the point. Bringing your bike and riding is pretty much saying to all "I could not wait to get out of here away from you all!" I would go, have dinner, socialize and then as someone suggested, maybe get the kids out for a walk while dinner is cleaned up. Otherwise, do your ride early, before dinner, and then plan on being a good guest and relative at your sister-in-law's!

[PS: Perhaps I am lucky - dinner is scheduled for 3pm... I plan on getting out at 8am to do my ride (if it does not rain), come home, make my sides , shower and then have plenty of time to get to the folks. My plan is to help out and when I get a chance, sit relax and enjoy the company]

oilman_15106

Nope. I have a buddy who rides to and from his parents house every year for Turkey Day dinner. If the weather is nice I may do the same. Not sure how to handle wearing spandex for dinner.

Shifty

As soon as dinner is fnished, do some clean up work, announce that you'll need to work the meal off a bit and ask when pie will be served. You'll be loved by all and you'll be in fine shape to enjoy the pie. Before Thursday you could spread the word that you'll be riding between dinner and dessert and invite other to join you.

bigbadwullf

I used to do it all the time when we went to her Mom's(across town). She is since deceased. Any more I don't because the wife believes we have to travel hours to go to dinner at her Aunt's. Jees, don't get me started.

cranky old dude

My opinion differs from most here, I guess:


Off course it's rude!!

I should think it would be much more acceptable to arrive and/or leave by bicycle than to take time in the middle of the family gathering for a personal ride!! Instead why not just step outside and stroll about the yard. Compliment your host on their gardening skills. Find some young at heart person to toss a football around with.

Of course, it's easy for me to judge as I'm working on Thanksgiving and as such will have no family obligations what so ever!!