indyfabz

Judging from the responses here, and from my own personal experiences, such things are not often heard. Maybe it's just you?

onbike 1939

I would have to say that touring has enriched my life immensely and reinforced my belief in the innate kindness of people.

I've been luck enough to be able to do extended tours in France for nearly forty years, and during that time have been helped by countless ordinary people. Being on a bike breaks down barriers as opposed to travelling in a car and makes it easier to pass a friendly word or two. There have been so many little kindnesses and I still remember and treasure them now that I'm too old to tour.

It's not the grand scenery or miles travelled that's important in touring and especially so in a foreign country, it's the human contact that brings the realisation that all the world over, those human qualities and values we have are universal.

venturi95

On a tour in Northern California along the coast (not too far from where I live) I got some real nasty vibes from small grocery store owners/emloyees because I was bicycle touring. There are quite a few folks riding the coast in the summer months, and I'm sure some of the locals hated me because I was on a bike. In one market I bought a Coke for $1.25, then asked the woman at the cash register if I could get some water from the sink next to me. "No. We don't give away water" was her ill-tempered reply. I went out behind the store to check for a faucet, and found water at the school next door and a plum tree heavy with ripe fruit (Yay!). Another time I asked an old guy for a coke from his fountain-type dispenser and he just ignored me, acted like I didn't exist! Keep in mind the following: I'm well mannered, I dress in clean clothing everyday and I don't smell stinky, never ever, and I am considered fairly good looking by the ladies . The vast majority of people I meet touring are pretty nice, though.

mdilthey

The girl I'm dating spent some time at the beginning of our relationship tolerating, with disdain, the fact that I never drove and biked everywhere.

Now, she's coming around to the biking side of things. It's funny how contagious long-distance cycling is to open-minded people. She loves her bike more than anything.

I'd say, close-minded people tend to be that way about a great many things, not just cycle touring.

Medic Zero

I have no idea what people who don't say anything think, but when I'm touring I find people to be friendly and curious. Surprised me at first, I don't normally expect folks to be that way, but it seems to be the default response for most people in North America to bicycle tourists. My experiences have only been in the Western US though.

Either way, you have to not worry what other people think and do what you want!

robow

I know I mentioned this once but I stopped in this little town to grab a bite and apparently my appearance was not the finest because this little old man came up and stuck $5 in my hand and told me to go get a hot meal. It took me by surprise at first and then I began to laugh and told the fellow that actually I was relatively quite well off, he just shook his head and muttered something about how he thought it was admirable that I was too proud to not want assistance. Though that was quite a while ago and I would be surprised if that gentleman still walked this earth, I do hope good things befell him.

Doug64

It only takes a few jerks to ruin it for the rest of us, whether it be in a cafe, on the road or acting like a slob while stealth camping. I suspect they had a encountered few jerks prior to your experience.

Machka 

+1

CliffordK

Overwhelmingly I've had a positive experience. In Italy, I did some bike camping where I would ride till dusk, find a place to roll out the tent, then pack up at dawn, leaving no traces behind. Many times I don't think anybody knew I was there, although one night there was a dog in a house I hadn't seen which made me feel bad.

My only "bad" experience was when I took my bike on the train in Italy (on one out of a couple of trips). I collapsed the bike as much as possible and it wasn't bothering anybody. However, the train conductor said I couldn't have it, and I couldn't check it into baggage. So, I was kicked off in the middle of nowhere at midnight at a secondary train stop where it was the last train of the night. And nobody could refund my unused ticket. Nothing else to do, so I got on the bike and wobbled down the road till I could go no further.

Hmmm... I was also chased out of Piazza San Marco too. Perhaps a religious omen, but I found the correct place to park the bike, and all ended well.

dwmckee

I have never heard anything like that. Maybe time to consider changing the circle you hang out with.

SparkyGA

Same here. My family is my biggest critique. I ignore their comments but send them postcards of pretty places around the world.

My sisters BF (who I exceedingly dislike since the day I met him) sent me a lovely message awhile back calling me a dirty hobo cyclist who is a burden on society.... Funny pay my taxes, educated and have a sweet job that allows me to do as please. I just live life out of 2 panniers instead of having a more normal life.

Woman who like cycle tourists? Easy. Look for women that care more about you than your material possessions or titles attached to you name. Also take girls on bicycle riding dates; if they reject that idea, don't go on a date with them.

spinnaker

You associate with the wrong people.

Lone

gay, homeless, smelly, selfish loser, smelly, ridiculous, lonely. yeap, who wants to know?

Machka 

How old are you?

choumichou

I am 27...well maybe i look younger

The discussion didn't go as i expected..i didn't mean that people you meet on trips are mean to bike tourers,no ! Many are adventurous or very nice people living far from big cities
The fact is many people find the idea of touring when you announce as something very unsual and weird like my american friend from seattle! I even had family members openly say it's a weirdo activity
And even many of those who laugh at bike touring when they are with their friends , they act very nice when they meet one in a trip

robert schlatte

Since high school I have done a lot of non-conventional travel and activities, eg, hitchhiking across the US and Europe, motorcycling to Alaska, backpacking, cycling, running marathons, etc. My parents and friends became used to the idea, that these types of activities were part of my personality. I am much older now and have continued to pursue these interests generally with support from family and friends.

However, without this background, if I would suddenly proclaim that I was going to go on an extended bicycle trip, I am sure I would get some negative reaction. Maybe that is what you are feeling. So I say don't worry about the reactions you may be getting, the naysayers will get over it.

Lou Skannon

I was resting at a scenic overlook in British Columbia when three dirty Harley Davidsons pulled in. I asked if they were on their way back from Alaska and we got chatting. They remarked that I was the first person to have started a conversation with them since they started there trip. For me, it was unusual if nobody started a conversation at a rest area or picnic spot.
There seems to be a lot more prejudice against touring motor-cyclists and Sons of Anarchy hasn't helped their cause.

mev

I was the one who made the homeless inference just prior to my last long trip:
- I had an offer on my condo in Oregon
- I had approval for a six month LOA from work to take a ride across Africa

So the comment I made to friends was "if all goes well, by end of the month I'll be homeless and unemployed". Now my friends laughed and we also understood my particular circumstances were likely more fortunate than most who were homeless not by their own choice.

Booger1

I hear this daily....I've even had people give me money....or want to buy me food.....This time of year folks give me a break and just call me Santa...

mdilthey

It's funny watching one person suggest that the OP may be more subject to these insults because of who he associates with or how he looks (which is pretty mean). "Well, I've never heard these, I must be better than you!"

And then the rest of you pounce like a pack of wolves.

"+1"

"How old are you?"

Etc. Etc.

I didn't think the discussion was so ridiculous in nature as to be ridiculed. There's a valid point here, where our non-traditional way of doing things invites a few common anecdotes about homelessness or instability. It's not absurd.

Anyone here saying nobody has ever judged them, ever, while they were bike touring is either egotistical enough about their appearance to be blind to criticism, or is lying, or hasn't toured enough. My 2¢.

mdilthey

I'll put this in a separate comment so it gets the emphasis I think it deserves: having the BF masses on your side is not license to make fun of people. Be nice.

fietsbob

The Unknown is 'choumichou' & the way they Interact with the Locals .. maybe making the problem by their behavior, appearance, attitude..And Etc.

All of Which I cannot say not having met this person ..



I did OK in countries whose languages I do not speak .. Myself ..

indyfabz

But does it makes you a productive member of society?

staehpj1

One of the biggest surprises I had when I started touring was how open, friendly, and just generally nice folks were to me. On tour folks some folks avoid me but most are very nice to me.

At home family, friends, and coworkers all seemed to admire what I was doing and quite a few said they were jealous.

I read the opening post of this thread as being almost certainly a troll, but figured there was some chance that I misread the OP due to cultural or language barriers. Subsequent posts made me more sure and the "Can bicycle tourers be considered productive members of society" removed almost all doubt from my mind.

Still I agree that making fun of the OP serves no purpose. If they are a troll they are getting what they want and if not making fun of then is hurtful.

mdilthey

Well, one person declares "choumichou is a troll!" because they interpret him as such, and it becomes "vogue" to deride him, call his questions useless and inciting, etc.

I'm not so sure...

His wording is imperfect, obviously. His manner is a little bit bold. His questions aren't taunting, or deliberately instigative, or even that far outside the realm of stuff that has already been talked about on the forum. Both threads have a positive to them, like what you're talking about with the encouraging reaction you get from cycling or what came up in the thread about productive members of society, where several people talked about how they feel bike touring can save the world (myself included).

So, yes, it's easy to default to "choumichou is a troll!" and stick a pitchfork in his tire.

It's a bit more difficult to set an example for the conduct we want as a community when faced with the questions that do exist in real life (despite a welcoming majority, there are people out there who see us as bums). Rather than take it personally and childlishly lash back, we have the choice to use these threads for what many people are already using them for; a platform to talk about good, productive things.

I can personally do without the collective back-patting between those who want to feel proud for "calling out" this guy and making jokes at his expense. You all know who you are.

I swear, nothing changes after high school