Bike Forums - What do your neighbors really think?

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My wife, son, and DIL all roll their eyes when I say I only did xxxmiles today. They always say I need to re-evaluate the use of "only."

I know that feeling. I generally try and do at least 30 miles every weekday and as much as I have time for in the weekend. I get home on a Saturday after going "only" 70 miles and my wife thinks I'm nuts. Got back after 130 miles, collapsed on the bed and she just rolled her eyes. I don't think they will ever understand. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biker395 (Post 15320563)

Make that 350 miles, $650 season pass and a $youdontwanttoknow condo. But you got the hamburger and beer about right.

The truth is that skiers are a lot like cyclists in the respect that when the weather gets nasty, they pretty much stay inside. Blizzardy days are never crowded on the slopes. And when the sun shines, ski clothes will keep you as toasty as you want.

As for me, I love skiing in blizzards, because that's when the snow is best. Asphalt, however, does not improve in bad weather.

8 miles from my house and $595 season's pass. Plus, the road up to the ski valley is where I ride most of the year. In northern NM, people pray for snow/rain - it's almost always sunny. I snowshoed up to 11,000' on Sunday and will be skiing again on Friday. I could ride my road bike if I wanted, but will wait for cleaner roads - and the Texans to go home.

My neighbor has a road grader, a bulldozer and a big truck next to his house - and a bunch of elk antlers on his garage roof. My dentist does Jeep modifications in his spare time and my physician rides horses. If you don't do something related to the outdoors in Taos, YOU are the oddball.

Edit: Re burgers: Amazing burgers at Five Star burgers in Taos. Amazing Bavarian food at the - wait for it - Bavarian at Taos Ski Valley. And what did I just have for supper at home? Aloo Gobi (Indian dish with potatoes and cauliflower), with cashews and, because we live in NM and it's really good, Hatch green chills. Add some New Zealand Marlborough sauvignon blanc to wash it down and you're good to go.

I got the impression that my friends and neighbors thought I was nuts when I got a road bike at 50.

Now they think I'm awesome, because I easily ride 25 miles through the hills- even when it's over 100*F and I don't even flinch when helping them do something which makes them huff and puff (Even the ones who are significantly younger than I).

People whom I don't know, who pass me on the road, probably think I'm nutz...'cause you don't see ANY other cyclists around here- not even kids! [A sad commentary on the state of the average person's lifestyle- and perhaps partly why Americans- even kids- are so obese today]

You probably have a point there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terex (Post 15324841)

Ah, the Land of Enchantment. It doesn't suck.

I'll be right over for dinner. :D

We've skied Taos several times. Great place. Ernie Blake and Dave McCoy (the guy that founded Mammoth, where I do most of my skiing) were some of the last holdouts back in the day when large ski resorts were owned by one family instead of corporations, and focused on skiing, rather than real estate development.

I've heard stories of Ernie Blake stashing martinis in the trees for people willing to go look for them. I don't suppose you ever found any?

One year, I had broken my achilles tendon playing basketball, so while everyone else skied, I drove around taking pictures and just taking it all in. I even found Hernandez, New Mexico ... the site of Ansel Adams's "Moonrise" photo. Very sweet.

Believe it or not, that 350 mile drive is really pretty sweet. Most of it is through land bought (some would say stolen) back in 1910 by the LA Department of Water and Power and kept pretty much as it was. It's like driving back in time, and the scenery isn't bad either:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ps8de0195f.jpg

LOL, well if we just bicycled, then the folks in our apt. building wouldn't say much but when I haul the utility trailer down from the 3rd floor and then a take it to the store to get food and supplies, come back and unload, I get the "wow" look! The best is when I take the "tub" off my utility trailer and put a bicycle on it to take to the LBS! I get some REALLY strange looks from other cyclist and car drivers going down the road too! ;)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=301809 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=301810

One of my neighbors is quite elderly and proper. She was with me one day as I was getting on my bike. She looked at the seat, which has a cut out, looked at me and said "you are riding a man's seat!" She was quite horrified.

Otherwise, she thinks I am nuts.

you have obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a rats---about what they think.....
Bud

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biker395 (Post 15326610)

Ah, the Land of Enchantment. It doesn't suck.

I'll be right over for dinner. :D

We've skied Taos several times. Great place. Ernie Blake and Dave McCoy (the guy that founded Mammoth, where I do most of my skiing) were some of the last holdouts back in the day when large ski resorts were owned by one family instead of corporations, and focused on skiing, rather than real estate development. Still owned by the Blake family, but started to allow snowboarders about 3 years ago. Pity.

I've heard stories of Ernie Blake stashing martinis in the trees for people willing to go look for them. I don't suppose you ever found any? But of course! The hidden Martini tree is an integral part of every ski week.

One year, I had broken my achilles tendon playing basketball, so while everyone else skied, I drove around taking pictures and just taking it all in. I even found Hernandez, New Mexico ... the site of Ansel Adams's "Moonrise" photo. Very sweet. Looks like the view out my front door at about 3 this morning. Not that I was looking. But the moon would have been in the right place by then.

Believe it or not, that 350 mile drive is really pretty sweet. Most of it is through land bought (some would say stolen) back in 1910 by the LA Department of Water and Power and kept pretty much as it was. It's like driving back in time, and the scenery isn't bad either: Sweet! - well, the scenery part. Lots of claims of land misappropriation around here too, but going back hundreds of years.

For dinner tonight? Grilled Red Snapper with Walkerswood West Indian curry paste, then a mango chutney to finish, a salad, and a glass (or two) of La Chiripada Special Reserve Riesling, Rio Embudo, NM. My wife just got back from Jamaica with a load of condiments and Blue Mtn. coffee. Going to a Wailers concert (as in Bob Marley and the...) tomorrow night at KTAO solar radio station, bar and concert arena.

KTAO - Broadcasting From the Sun

Stop by for dinner or a beer any time. We may have to go to Taos Mesa Brewery for the beer though. http://www.taosmesabrewing.com

Our neighbors think I run an in-garage bike repair coop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terex (Post 15329492)

Damn ... some people take living to a fine art!

It's a deal. The first round is on me.

I live in a rural area and my neighbors are far enough away where they really don't see me leaving early in the morning but they know I commute into the city for work. They just think that is incredible to be able to cover that distance and come back home at night. In below 0degf temps and snow and ice, they think I'm totally nuts in a fun kind of way. People are generally nice and my coworkers think the same thing. They think I'm some sort of cycling god or something. My bride knows how much I enjoy it and what it does for me but is apprehensive about me setting out on certain mornings with bad weather.