Pukeskywalker

I've heard some good stories from young men using couchsurfing. There are some busy professional women out there who find the prospect of hosting a handsome out-of-towner for a night a convenience.

Stories were from soul-searching post-college traveler types. Not sure if this applies to smelly, unshaven bike tourers

Machka 

The thing is, many of us are older ...
Many of us have older, more mature friends and acquaintences ...
Many of us are in relationships and in some cases we tour with our spouses ...
Many of us have things like education, professions/careers, houses, cars, etc. etc. ...
Many of us cycle and exercise regularly when we're not touring ... and are surrounded by coworkers and friends who do the same ...
Many of us travel frequently ... and are surrounded by coworkers and friends who do the same ...

We are not surrounded by people who would consider us losers with no life for going on a cycling tour.

Just last week, I was visiting my allergist and chatting with her about cycling in northern Tasmania ... and she suggested I should do a cycling tour. So we got chatting about cycletouring.

No one batted an eye when Rowan (my husband) and I announced we were taking off around the world for 8 months with our bicycles ... during which time we would be homeless because we were giving up our rental unit.


Perhaps you need to start associating with different people ... people who cycle ... people who travel.
Is there a cycletouring club in your area? You might find more like-minded people there.

alan s 

Someone having a negative opinion about touring cyclists doesn't make them prejudiced. When I'm on a bike, I have a negative opinion about car drivers, and that doesn't make me prejudiced. It's just my opinion. Anyway, why go through life constantly worrying about whether people like you or not?

Machka 

This is why I guessed, correctly, that he was young.

When you get a bit older you stop caring what other people think of what you do, and you start living your own life. You come to the realisation that other people really don't care what you do and that everyone has lives of their own which they are much more concerned about.

axolotl

I disagree with nearly everything you wrote. The OP started a thread with statements I found wholly without credibility. I've been touring longer than he claims to have been alive and haven't experienced any of his alleged reactions, much less all of them. He also shamefully began this ridiculous thread by using the word "gay" as a pejorative (which the mods have since removed). That's further evidence of his real intentions.

I would hardly call his writing "bold". At his point, it's up to him to prove he's not a troll. He's the one who needs to start using the forum in a productive manner. Thus far, he has utterly failed. His next thread was even more absurd than this one. Sorry, but I think the reaction to his nonsense has been quite reasonable and not at all excessive. In fact, I think there have been far more people who took him seriously than his threads have deserved.

mdilthey

I'm 24, and I realized this when I was 21. I find that people with the most insecurities are the ones that can be found on internet forums declaring that someone replace their current acquaintances with better ones, "like mine!"

I don't demand a resume from my friends and family that includes bike touring before I decide they're appropriate for my life. My grandmother on my father's side looks at what I do with intense worry, and wishes I wouldn't go, but I love her and take time to reassure her. I don't go looking for a better, Machka-approved grandmother...

Machka 

You need to work on your reading and comprehension skills.

DeadGrandpa

I am 62; just retired from work which required me to be available 24/7/365. The last ten years I never had a day off, but now I'm done. My family thinks it's great that I'm doing something recreational that I want to do. Friends might question why, but marvel that I have the physical ability. I have a philosophy that allows me to cope with those who think it selfish or offer criticism of any kind; it's called "Who Cares What You Think?"

Machka 

Absolutely!!

veganbikes

Hey don't lob fully accurate statements of fact at us!

LeeG

Ok, your lack of specificity gave the impression the things you heard were universal but they were from YOUR family, close friends and colleagues at work. That could feel universal but it's not the people you meet on the road!
My friends knew me as the guy who rides a lot, my family knew me as their brother/son who rides a lot, my coworkers knew me as the guy who rides to work. The young women I met touring met me as a person, not a bum. When I ran my bike shop the women and men I met didn't see me as a bum but someone who welcomed them.

Doug64

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." John Wooden

saddlesores

quite a few, actually. easy enough to check a poster's history. recent join date, quite a few strange
threads started. threads that seem designed to wind up the regulars. seems to be working, too.

mev

I feel fortunate that I've been able to travel and tour. continue to do so - and have a passion and enthusiasm for cycle touring. When at home I've also chosen not to own a car (since 2001) and get around by bike where I can.

Friends and family that know me well - can see that enthusiasm. Some of them can relate - and some of them could never see themselves cycle touring or being car free but pretty much respect that this is a choice I make - and are supportive of me for doing something I enjoy. In the same way, they have activities and interests I don't always share, but unless it is in direct conflict (e.g. interest in laying tacks on the the roads to see what happens ), I respect them for their interests as well. Some family might worry and project their fears - but that isn't quite the same. For example, my parents might simultaneously tell me they sometimes worry - and also print up little business cards with my web site on it and proudly tell their friends "look at where my son is traveling, isn't it cool that we're able to follow along!" Over time, I also tend to associate with folks with either shared interests or at least ones who respect my interests.

If someone doesn't know me, to be honest their opinion also matters a lot less to me. On the road I've encountered a lot more curiosity or kindness of strangers than anything else. A shared smile goes a long way too. I've occasionally encountered strangers whose assumption is "if you had means you wouldn't be on that bike" (more outside the US than in it). I find that more amusing than anything else, and in some places I'd prefer to be a curiosity than a stereotypical foreign tourist.

indyfabz

I agree, and that always fascinates me.

Worknomore

If only my in laws said things about me this nice

Yan 

No. I've never received anything but admiration and envy. I know lots of car centric people who despise the outdoors, the kind who might yell at cyclists from cars. If they had negative thoughts about me, they've kept it to themselves. Even they realize that cross-continent bicycle touring is an inspirational activity that almost anyone would aspire to, even if they have no desire to carry it out themselve. Being heard criticizing a bike tourist is like being heard criticizing Robert Falcon Scott or Edmund Hillary. Nobody is dim enough to bring that kind of embarrassement upon themselves.

A few people have mentioned the romance perspective. I've never met anybody who hasn't become instantly more interested in me when the cycling stories are told. Let's be honest: anybody would be lucky to get their hands on a bike tourist. In the 2014, the world is getting fatter and more obnoxious everyday. Who wouldn't fall in love with a fit, well traveled man or woman who is easy-going, confident, and determined?

mdilthey

Actually, a lot of us were wound up before he got here (myself included, most of the time).

onbike 1939

Oh if that were only true.

I'm now going to sit quietly and work out what I've been doing wrong for the last forty years.

robow

I have always found that once the observer comes to realize that you're not homeless, they're curious. Very rare to experience animosity from others for bicycle touring, that generally comes after they get to know me.

Medic Zero

Call me guillible, but I'm never on the lookout for people trolling, and can't wrap my mind around why someone would waste their time in such a manner, and so it never occurs to me that we might be being trolled.

NVanHiker

The most common question I get is "are you travelling with a group"? It's amazing how many people think bike touring has to be an organized activity. (I might hazard a guess here that, on the contrary, most of us are loners!)

Caretaker

The OP seems to have family who are particularly status conscious and probably see his cycle touring as a threat to how outsiders perceive them.

Fortunately its not something I experience but I can understand his sad situation.

irwin7638

I hear things like: "Wow, totally self-contained," "How far have you gone?" "You must see a lot more that way..."
Most people are just interested.

Marc

Louis Le Tour

I don't give a fly'n radzazz WHAT anybody has to say about me and my bike!