A very odd Wednesday afternoon
05-07-08, 02:00 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ashland, VA
Posts: 4,420
Bikes: The keepers: 1958 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix, 1968 Ranger, 1969 Magneet Sprint, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1973 Raleigh Tourist, 3 - 1986 Rossins, and a '77 PX-10 frame in process.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
129 Posts
A very odd Wednesday afternoon
It's Wednesday afternoon, and my day off this week. Spent the morning putting down a very enjoyable 35 miles on my Gitane Tour de France, then settled in for an afternoon's chores, with the hopes of a bit more riding into the early evening.
I'm out blowing tbe leaves, pollen, twigs, etc., off my driveway and what do I see coming down my road but a cyclist, dual panniers and pulling a trailer.
Now, cyclists aren't exactly rare around here, you should be on the local roads in the late afternoon for what I lovingly call the Tuesday Peloton (draft lines of 15-20), but this is the first time I've seen an obvious tourer (other than myself, of course) in my neck of the woods.
He stops just past my driveway, which is the beginning of a rather nasty hill, to hit the water bottle. Figure I'll chat him up for a moment, see what he's riding. "Where ya heading?" "Florida," is the answer.
OK, I'm a nice guy. Brother in arms and all that. I'm more than happy to give him the skinny on the next twenty miles ahead of him, the one chance he's got to cross the James River without having to detour into Richmond, etc.
To put it bluntly, the guy blows me off, politeness optional, no less. He points to this 3x5" screen laying on top of his tank bag, saying, "I've got all the answers I need right here." He obviously doesn't want to be bothered by some bum**** local (guess he was hearing banjos in the background). Maybe it was my tatoos, cutoff Triumph t-shirt and mullet that did it.
What he missed: At the time of our meeting, it was 1530. Assuming he follows his GPS to the closest James River crossing (US522), he's going to hit Goochland Courthouse sometime between 1700 and 1730 - rush hour for all those Volvo driving yuppies leaving their offices in Richmond's West End and screaming for home. I would have happily suggested two alternative roads to the two-lane cowpath that becomes the San Diego Freeway during that time period, and as it's the main road towards that bridge, no doubt the GPS is going to lead him right to it. I'd have also happily warned him of every pothole between my place and Goochland CH, having just used most of that route in my morning workout. I even could have told him on what corner the Rappahanock Rural Co-Op crews had half the road blocked off where they were working on a section of distribution line.
Eh, he has a GPS. He don't need no human imput.
By the way, when did Lamborghini start making bicycles?
Are they as sexy as the cars?
I'm out blowing tbe leaves, pollen, twigs, etc., off my driveway and what do I see coming down my road but a cyclist, dual panniers and pulling a trailer.
Now, cyclists aren't exactly rare around here, you should be on the local roads in the late afternoon for what I lovingly call the Tuesday Peloton (draft lines of 15-20), but this is the first time I've seen an obvious tourer (other than myself, of course) in my neck of the woods.He stops just past my driveway, which is the beginning of a rather nasty hill, to hit the water bottle. Figure I'll chat him up for a moment, see what he's riding. "Where ya heading?" "Florida," is the answer.
OK, I'm a nice guy. Brother in arms and all that. I'm more than happy to give him the skinny on the next twenty miles ahead of him, the one chance he's got to cross the James River without having to detour into Richmond, etc.
To put it bluntly, the guy blows me off, politeness optional, no less. He points to this 3x5" screen laying on top of his tank bag, saying, "I've got all the answers I need right here." He obviously doesn't want to be bothered by some bum**** local (guess he was hearing banjos in the background). Maybe it was my tatoos, cutoff Triumph t-shirt and mullet that did it
.What he missed: At the time of our meeting, it was 1530. Assuming he follows his GPS to the closest James River crossing (US522), he's going to hit Goochland Courthouse sometime between 1700 and 1730 - rush hour for all those Volvo driving yuppies leaving their offices in Richmond's West End and screaming for home. I would have happily suggested two alternative roads to the two-lane cowpath that becomes the San Diego Freeway during that time period, and as it's the main road towards that bridge, no doubt the GPS is going to lead him right to it. I'd have also happily warned him of every pothole between my place and Goochland CH, having just used most of that route in my morning workout. I even could have told him on what corner the Rappahanock Rural Co-Op crews had half the road blocked off where they were working on a section of distribution line.
Eh, he has a GPS. He don't need no human imput.
By the way, when did Lamborghini start making bicycles?
Are they as sexy as the cars?
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
05-07-08, 02:50 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 242
Bikes: Litespeed Tuscany, 1991 Merlin Extralight, 08' Santana Tandem Sovereign, Co-Motion Espresso
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm not sure Lamborghini makes bikes but I know they are sold on eBay for a nickel and a smile. I'm also pretty sure they are a non-licensed product too.
As far as the navigation inspired confidence your visitor had, I can (unfortunately) relate (well, not on my bike but in my car that is). I have gotten so dependent on my car's nav system (and implicitly trust it) that I am hesitant to take even my passengers directions. It's becoming a common condition in my family (and I would assume others). And it has certainly gotten us in trouble.... but after about a dozen extra turns and 30 extra minutes we usually still get to where we are going.
As far as the navigation inspired confidence your visitor had, I can (unfortunately) relate (well, not on my bike but in my car that is). I have gotten so dependent on my car's nav system (and implicitly trust it) that I am hesitant to take even my passengers directions. It's becoming a common condition in my family (and I would assume others). And it has certainly gotten us in trouble.... but after about a dozen extra turns and 30 extra minutes we usually still get to where we are going.
05-07-08, 02:53 PM
#3
Papa Wheelie
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,470
Bikes: Jamis Aurora '02; Takara Medalist (650B)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Asking humans for directions... I always found THE MOST entertaining part of bike touring.
In fact human anything.
I recall a tour years ago (I mean lots of years) when I didn't look at a map much for several days. I'd get up, get to the next town, tell someone where I was going, get great local road descriptions (like DETOURS) and off I'd go. ONce I ended up almost riding into Green Bay, some creepy trailer home dead end, but mostly okay
In fact human anything.
I recall a tour years ago (I mean lots of years) when I didn't look at a map much for several days. I'd get up, get to the next town, tell someone where I was going, get great local road descriptions (like DETOURS) and off I'd go. ONce I ended up almost riding into Green Bay, some creepy trailer home dead end, but mostly okay
05-08-08, 01:15 PM
#4
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 43
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Trek 6500, Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Maybe he had no idea you rode as well. Did you tell him that? I know I've gotten absolutely terrible advice on roads from people that never ride bikes. Maybe that's what he was thinking of when he said that.
Anyway, it's pretty lame that he was rude about it and didn't even try to find out more.
Anyway, it's pretty lame that he was rude about it and didn't even try to find out more.
05-09-08, 12:26 AM
#6
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Actually they're kinda-sorta licensed - Tonino Lamborghini ( son of Ferruccio, the founder of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.) has a company that licenses the Lamborghini name to just about everything (luggage, cologne, cameras, pens, bicycles, etc). The bikes sell for ~$250 on Amazon. I've never seen one in person, but I'm willing to bet they're made in China and on par with "high-end" department store bikes.
05-09-08, 04:14 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
It's Wednesday afternoon, and my day off this week. Spent the morning putting down a very enjoyable 35 miles on my Gitane Tour de France, then settled in for an afternoon's chores, with the hopes of a bit more riding into the early evening.
I'm out blowing tbe leaves, pollen, twigs, etc., off my driveway and what do I see coming down my road but a cyclist, dual panniers and pulling a trailer. Now, cyclists aren't exactly rare around here, you should be on the local roads in the late afternoon for what I lovingly call the Tuesday Peloton (draft lines of 15-20), but this is the first time I've seen an obvious tourer (other than myself, of course) in my neck of the woods.
He stops just past my driveway, which is the beginning of a rather nasty hill, to hit the water bottle. Figure I'll chat him up for a moment, see what he's riding. "Where ya heading?" "Florida," is the answer.
OK, I'm a nice guy. Brother in arms and all that. I'm more than happy to give him the skinny on the next twenty miles ahead of him, the one chance he's got to cross the James River without having to detour into Richmond, etc.
To put it bluntly, the guy blows me off, politeness optional, no less. He points to this 3x5" screen laying on top of his tank bag, saying, "I've got all the answers I need right here." He obviously doesn't want to be bothered by some bum**** local (guess he was hearing banjos in the background). Maybe it was my tatoos, cutoff Triumph t-shirt and mullet that did it.
What he missed: At the time of our meeting, it was 1530. Assuming he follows his GPS to the closest James River crossing (US522), he's going to hit Goochland Courthouse sometime between 1700 and 1730 - rush hour for all those Volvo driving yuppies leaving their offices in Richmond's West End and screaming for home. I would have happily suggested two alternative roads to the two-lane cowpath that becomes the San Diego Freeway during that time period, and as it's the main road towards that bridge, no doubt the GPS is going to lead him right to it. I'd have also happily warned him of every pothole between my place and Goochland CH, having just used most of that route in my morning workout. I even could have told him on what corner the Rappahanock Rural Co-Op crews had half the road blocked off where they were working on a section of distribution line.
Eh, he has a GPS. He don't need no human imput.
By the way, when did Lamborghini start making bicycles? Are they as sexy as the cars?
I'm out blowing tbe leaves, pollen, twigs, etc., off my driveway and what do I see coming down my road but a cyclist, dual panniers and pulling a trailer.
Now, cyclists aren't exactly rare around here, you should be on the local roads in the late afternoon for what I lovingly call the Tuesday Peloton (draft lines of 15-20), but this is the first time I've seen an obvious tourer (other than myself, of course) in my neck of the woods.He stops just past my driveway, which is the beginning of a rather nasty hill, to hit the water bottle. Figure I'll chat him up for a moment, see what he's riding. "Where ya heading?" "Florida," is the answer.
OK, I'm a nice guy. Brother in arms and all that. I'm more than happy to give him the skinny on the next twenty miles ahead of him, the one chance he's got to cross the James River without having to detour into Richmond, etc.
To put it bluntly, the guy blows me off, politeness optional, no less. He points to this 3x5" screen laying on top of his tank bag, saying, "I've got all the answers I need right here." He obviously doesn't want to be bothered by some bum**** local (guess he was hearing banjos in the background). Maybe it was my tatoos, cutoff Triumph t-shirt and mullet that did it
.What he missed: At the time of our meeting, it was 1530. Assuming he follows his GPS to the closest James River crossing (US522), he's going to hit Goochland Courthouse sometime between 1700 and 1730 - rush hour for all those Volvo driving yuppies leaving their offices in Richmond's West End and screaming for home. I would have happily suggested two alternative roads to the two-lane cowpath that becomes the San Diego Freeway during that time period, and as it's the main road towards that bridge, no doubt the GPS is going to lead him right to it. I'd have also happily warned him of every pothole between my place and Goochland CH, having just used most of that route in my morning workout. I even could have told him on what corner the Rappahanock Rural Co-Op crews had half the road blocked off where they were working on a section of distribution line.
Eh, he has a GPS. He don't need no human imput.
By the way, when did Lamborghini start making bicycles?
Are they as sexy as the cars?I don't see the guy being intentionally rude, although it appears you are taking it that way.
05-09-08, 05:47 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 818
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
To be truthful, as cycling tourists, we all know that any "normal" person is usually a person who has only driven in a car or truck to a destination (and hence 2 miles = 10 miles, dead flat = heart breaking uphill, nearest store round the corner = 8 miles down the road, no turn offs = 5 unmarked junctions, etc, etc). However, regardless of what people say, I always try to listen respectfully (if I have doubts, I figure I can check the map once I get out of their sight, but why brush someone off when they are giving your their time and trying to help?).
Sure there have been times where I have to be honest and say I mentally crossed them off as a vehicle driver with no idea of what it's like to cycle when they were talking, but hopefully, I've always at least looked like I'm listening attentively, and I always, always, always thank them for their time. I think it's the least thing you can do. Actually, probably one of the worst issues is when you get that person who just can't stop talking and just really want to help -and all you want to do is get going but you don't want to appear ungrateful!
Sure there have been times where I have to be honest and say I mentally crossed them off as a vehicle driver with no idea of what it's like to cycle when they were talking, but hopefully, I've always at least looked like I'm listening attentively, and I always, always, always thank them for their time. I think it's the least thing you can do. Actually, probably one of the worst issues is when you get that person who just can't stop talking and just really want to help -and all you want to do is get going but you don't want to appear ungrateful!
