Are Your Friends & Family Making Fun Of You?
07-19-08, 02:42 AM
#76
Roast Beast Sammich
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My parents think I'm a bit eccentric with the biking, but that's nonsense.
Co-workers think it's great. Typical comments include "I wish I had that kind of drive" and "How many miles is it?" I had my first flat on the way to work a few days ago and was late for a meeting, but everyone was fine with it. We all ended up discussing various routes I could take to get to work using the best roads. To maintain the good will I go out of my way to not be smug, and I don't talk about how much gas money I'm saving unless asked first.
Co-workers think it's great. Typical comments include "I wish I had that kind of drive" and "How many miles is it?" I had my first flat on the way to work a few days ago and was late for a meeting, but everyone was fine with it. We all ended up discussing various routes I could take to get to work using the best roads. To maintain the good will I go out of my way to not be smug, and I don't talk about how much gas money I'm saving unless asked first.
07-19-08, 03:29 AM
#77
it's easy if you let it.
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My family is pushing pretty hard to subsidize a car for me when I go off to school in a month--that, or for me to use the bus. I want to bike. They either don't take it seriously or think it's unsafe, too far, etc. If necessary, I'll just keep quiet until I'm on my own there in the fall. At any rate, I've started biking around town with a few old bikes I inflated. 'Tis hard, but 'tis fun.
07-19-08, 04:33 AM
#78
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My family is pushing pretty hard to subsidize a car for me when I go off to school in a month--that, or for me to use the bus. I want to bike. They either don't take it seriously or think it's unsafe, too far, etc. If necessary, I'll just keep quiet until I'm on my own there in the fall. At any rate, I've started biking around town with a few old bikes I inflated. 'Tis hard, but 'tis fun.
07-19-08, 05:43 AM
#79
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If they really are friends, then you have to realise that they are not trying to be mean and nasty to you.
Last edited by limeylew; 07-19-08 at 05:45 AM. Reason: mis-spelling
07-19-08, 08:45 AM
#80
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I had someone ask me the "what if you break down" question just the other day...
I thought gee, cars never break down or something?
At least with a bike you can wheel it around alot easier than a car.
I thought gee, cars never break down or something?
At least with a bike you can wheel it around alot easier than a car.
07-19-08, 08:48 AM
#81
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07-19-08, 09:04 AM
#82
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My family is pushing pretty hard to subsidize a car for me when I go off to school in a month--that, or for me to use the bus. I want to bike. They either don't take it seriously or think it's unsafe, too far, etc. If necessary, I'll just keep quiet until I'm on my own there in the fall. At any rate, I've started biking around town with a few old bikes I inflated. 'Tis hard, but 'tis fun.
07-19-08, 10:58 AM
#83
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I'm originally from SE Michigan, and I hate to say it, but more people in your neck of the woods need to hear that. There's like this collective amnesia there (and other places, of course) about how lack of physical movement = major weight problems.
My quips:
If I were still living in Detroit, I'd focus mainly on the money and supporting terrorism, saving the weight statements for the really mean people.
My quips:
- Just keeping the Type 2 away...
- What's your blood pressure?
- Every time you fill a gas tank, a terrorist smiles.
- I'm not into making charitible contributions to Al-Qaida.
- When I look at my savings account balance, I want to hug my bike.
- I was able to eliminate all my consumer debt after a year and a half of bike commuting. How's that working for you and your car(s)?
- (One for Detroit especially) There's no American-made car with the kind of gas mileage I want. I've decided to wait until there is one available before I get a new one. (IMO, this is a safe declaration.
)
If I were still living in Detroit, I'd focus mainly on the money and supporting terrorism, saving the weight statements for the really mean people.
I know exactly how that is since i live 15 mins north of detroit. i was car free for 18 years of my life then got a car and put on almost 90 lbs in 2 years. i just sold my car 40 months ago and already lost 35 pounds. my body and bank account is loving it. ill just need some good knobbies for the michigan winters
07-19-08, 12:16 PM
#84
tired
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Nokians are the best...
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
07-19-08, 02:55 PM
#85
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07-19-08, 03:40 PM
#86
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I'm lucky not to have family members or friends who would say anything negative about bicycling.
I work for a delivery service doing short haul freight, the bike messengers and the car drivers appreciate not having to do as many short box jobs. Bikers prefer envelopes and drivers prefer long routes. So, no negative comments from co-workers.
I get 5 to 10 complements on my vehicle from strangers everyday. What kind of car gets that kind of positive response?
I pulled a BOB trailer for about two years before switching to a Bikes At Work 64A. People didn't seem to notice the BOB much, but the BAW elicits a very positive response. People in D.C. dig it a lot. Who woulda guessed?
People who drive Hummers get compliments too, and some people hate me* as much as some bikers hate Hummer drivers, but there is much love and respect for the HPV truckers in our nation's capitol. God bless America!
*Because I'm slow and harder to pass than bikes or cars/trucks that aren't double parked or stuck in traffic.
I work for a delivery service doing short haul freight, the bike messengers and the car drivers appreciate not having to do as many short box jobs. Bikers prefer envelopes and drivers prefer long routes. So, no negative comments from co-workers.
I get 5 to 10 complements on my vehicle from strangers everyday. What kind of car gets that kind of positive response?
I pulled a BOB trailer for about two years before switching to a Bikes At Work 64A. People didn't seem to notice the BOB much, but the BAW elicits a very positive response. People in D.C. dig it a lot. Who woulda guessed?
People who drive Hummers get compliments too, and some people hate me* as much as some bikers hate Hummer drivers, but there is much love and respect for the HPV truckers in our nation's capitol. God bless America!
*Because I'm slow and harder to pass than bikes or cars/trucks that aren't double parked or stuck in traffic.
Last edited by qmsdc15; 07-19-08 at 03:46 PM.
07-19-08, 10:02 PM
#87
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I get a lot of "what are you, Lance Armstrong?" types of responses from people I work with (blue-collar semi-washing, about the last place I thought I'd work a summer job), but practically everyone else either doesn't mind, is impressed, or is jealous and plump. In fact, my fat coworkers are probably just jealous, too.
07-20-08, 09:17 PM
#88
Senior Member
I got some lip, til these gas prices took hold, now I got less belly than they do and I can afford lunch.
