Do any of you have non-cycling co-workers who make odd comments to you at this time of year? Some I've heard lately:

"Gettin the chain all oiled up?"

"Got your tires all pumped?"

"Is that a twenty six inch bike?" (They apparently learned about bikes from the sunday Sears flyer)

"I'm gonna buy a bike this year. I like yours, was it over a hundred dollars?"

And do forth. I know, tolerance. But really, do you have any of these? I give civil answers, I just find it odd. Every year at about this time,
same questions, or variants.

Here are the answers:

"Gettin the chain all oiled up?"

Almost there. Another month should do it.


"Got your tires all pumped?"

Yes, and are my lungs tired!


"Is that a twenty six inch bike?"

Yes. And my pump is 12 inches!

Actually, I have it good. Two of my four sibs are cyclists, the woman that sits right behind me at the office is a triathlete, and a guy we work with on our Digital Team commutes by bike about 15 miles to the office every day year-round. I'm not seen as that much of a wierdo!

Given the state of disrepair I see on many of my neighbors' bikes, I'd see it as progress if they know their chains need lubricant.

The comment I get is:

At your age, you still ride a bike, what are you thinking?

Pardon me, I am going to the garage to oil my chain and pump up the tires on my $99. bike. BTW-it is a 26"er, I mean 3 of the 5 bikes out there is 26".

[QUOTE=trackhub;15471121
"Got your tires all pumped?"[/QUOTE]

Yes with Spring air. I deflated them to get rid of the Winter air first. In a few months it will be time for Summer air. Did it to my car tires also.

You?

When they ask me if I ride a ten speed bike, I simply answer "Yes, yes I do."

But only when my sting-ray is in the shop.

I don't get any comments at work. My boss is 20 years my junior but rides a mountain bike. From playing sports his body, especially his joints are in worse shape then mine. I do have to start doing more squats with weights on my shoulders in the spring so I don't have any problems balancing my "big" bike, a 900 pound Harley geezer glide.

At least people talk to you.

*chuckle*

In all fairness cyclists can be pretty dopey, too.

Comments I've heard from other cyclists whilst I'm riding my bent:

Just what exactly is the point of that thing?

All you need is a TV set and a six pack of beer and you'll be all set (then I tell them I have both in the enormous seat bag in the back).

Is that thing harder to get up hills? (Usually asked as I'm about to pass out going up a 15% grade)

You have a really long chain (thanks. It really does take me about two weeks to clean and lube it properly).

Dont ride with us. You have cooties (yes, but we also have cookies).

I posted this reply to a thread on the Commuting Forum, “Is anyone else known as ‘The crazy one’ at work?”

I do Jim, asked that one daily pretty much, but it isn't always because I ride my bike. I work in a family business with other Engineers and they know I am half a bubble off of plumb, they watched me volunteer for the Marines.

My favorite question is as I am pushing my bike up to a door or a bike rack, dressed in kit or, at least my shoes, and someone walking by asks "You ride that bike here?" I always want to say "No, I always carry it with me to a meeting in case I need a seat that I can roll around on." As Jeff Foxworthy said, "Here's your sign"

Bill

Your bike is 34yrs old?!

Then I tell them my new one is only 24yrs old.

QCP that's Bill Engvall, Not that I noticed or nothin. But Jeff is a riot too. My freinds at work make spandex jokes and rib me all the time.

Mark Shuman

... How can you 'Soar with the Eagles' when you are surrounded by Turkeys.. ?

Not a co-worker, but a pedestrian once informed me I should "really oil that brake", in a very knowledgeable tone. My front brake pads were not toed in and screeched horribly.

Bill Engvall certainly comes to mind on occasions. "You had a flat?" Nope, but the other tyre just suddenly inflated on me. Here's your sign.

--J

That sounds like nice folks trying to make conversation about something they know you enjoy.

I also do some fishing. I wish I had a buck for every time that, as I got my gear together, and got into my waders, some older gent would walk by and ask, "Gonna do some fishin'?".

Once, I told a guy, "No, actually I'm casing a bank for a robbery and this is part of my cover".

Most of us should be old enough to remember the piece that ran from time to time in Mad Magazine, "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions".

Did you ride your bike?

Yeah. Sure beats pushing it.


How far did you ride?

The whole way!


That's usually from the patrons. Staff know better. It's so normal that it doesn't faze them in the least.

I am just glad they stopped with the 'Lance' comments.

Oops, here's my sign, all them redneck-whiteboy comedians look alike to me with these old eyes

Mrprelaw, I understand thatBob Clarke, the Mad Magazine artist, passed away this week. Bad day when someone that drew comics I have read since I was a kid Passes away. Sigh!!!!
Bill

>>>That sounds like nice folks trying to make conversation about something they know you enjoy. <<<

There you go! Thanks for saying that, RobertL.

I think many of you are missing a good opportunity to debunk the myth that all cyclists are geeks and loners with no communication skills. People will say just about anything to start a conversation with you if they really want to. If you choose to judge the "quality" of a person's question and then you miss out on what might be a pleasant conversation because of it, you deserve whatever you get. I'm just sayin'...