HiYoSilver

Fun conversation this morning. Maybe you have one to share as well.


[Suv commuter driver] Wow, I've spent over $100.00 this week on gas alone.
[motorcycle commuter] Ha, I've only spent $44.00 for about the same distance.
[me] Well darn. I hoped I'ld be able to say $0, but had to drive one day this week. So I guess that's about $3.00 for the week.


fun.

{yes we already had the discussion. At more than 30miles away, they can't cyclocommute.}

BroadSTPhilly

You nailed them.

Indie

I told my office manager that I saw a wild rabbit on the way to work, which is something you don't see on the train or driving the freeway.

She told me she was having rabbit for Thanksgiving dinner.* When I said better a rabbit for Thanksgiving than a rabbit for Easter, she said I had a weird sense of humour for a vegetarian.

*That's this weekend in Canada.

GTALuigi

i have yet to see any wabbit on the road of my daily commute, but i do see plenty of squirrels and birds, which apparently have some sort of death wish.

Many times i get to them so close, and seems like they get totally oblivious as to they can be potential road kills, if i didn't avoid them.

Doohickie

There are no notable cycle commuting conversations for me at work anymore; since I've been in this office since February I've been cycling to work at least part-time, so there isn't too much more to be said.

A few weeks ago, one guy said, "I wish I could ride my bike to work."
Me: "Well, then do it!"
Him: "It's too far."
Me: "Well, you could drive to the bike trail entrance on University Drive, park you car there, and ride your bike the rest of the way. That's not too long of a ride."
Him: "....but..."

GV27

I've got a guy in the next cube who lives the same distance from work as me and has a high-performance car (Mitsubishi Evo). He's constantly complaining about gas. Fills up once a week mimimum - if he doesn't drive on the weekend. Every month or so I say "dang, next week I'm gonna have to fill up for the month". I usually get something like "F OFF" back. LOL.

markhr

drive/car pool/train/bus/ride share part way then cycle the rest?

FredOak

1) My group all knows that I commute as much as possible, they keep asking me are you going to do this all winter every time the weather changes.
2) As more people realize I commute that ask how far and I say 16 miles RT, they always say "Oh that isn't bad"...then you see them take that mental calculation of how far 16 miles really is and then say "I could never do that"
3) It rained yesterday and I was getting ready to cycle home and I had 3 people offer to give me a ride home, I'd say "Why" and they would say "It's raining" and I'd say "No thanks, I'm full prepared for the weather." Don't know if they were afraid I'd melt or what.

PaulRivers

I actually saw a group of 4 turkey's on the side of the road 3 days ago. It was really weird, because while it wasn't 100% city (it was a path by the river) it was residential neighborhood bording the river - and the river is about 300 feet straight down from the road.

Hmm...Thanksgiving is coming up...

AdamD

I had a similar conversation with co-workers about a month ago. I told my mainly overweight and out of shape co-workers that I ride 15 miles each way they all said... Oh, that's not so bad. Then someone brought donuts in and I had more than my fair share and they said how do you eat those and stay in shape. My response was that if they wanted to have a serious conversation about getting in shape I would be more than happy to, otherwise don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

They of course complain about being overweight and out of shape, so I point out to them that they can save money, combine exercise and commute time (thus saving time overall), and have fun all at the same time. So far no takers....

caloso

Them: "Looks like rain this afternoon. Good thing I won't be on a bicycle!"

Me: "Damn. I wish I hadn't ridden my bike made of sugar today."

Bike-a-Boo

This was a while ago, but we were heading out for a department lunch and were trying to organize transportation (i.e. carpooling).

Coworker: Can you take some people to the restaurant?
Me: Sure, but I rode my bicycle today. Some people can run behind me if they want to.
Coworker: Smart*****.

making

Yea all the turkeys I see around here are in management.

cyccommute 

Only the normal ones where all the drivers blame me for the transgression of the rest of the cycling community. No matter how many times I tell them that I stop at signs and lights and want the bozos who don't hung out to dry, I'm still at fault for the scofflaws.

Bat22

"How can you drop 2 grand on a bike?" "It's less than your set of Golf clubs!"

obie33

Started to commute last year on my SS and would keep it in my cubicle at work. Mine you a work as a LEO and my cubicle is not open to the public and is only accessible through a double set of security doors. Chief complains to my boss that the bike is unsightly and that I should keep it in the police garage on the other side of the complex. My space is in the patrol division which is in the basement, and not even on the same floor at the Chief.

My solution was to lock it up at the front of the main entrance under a small overhand so the Chief can see it all day long as he goes inside and outside to his vehicle.

Haven't heard a thing since then...

cod.peace

The new bike commuting benefit in the Wall St. bailout bill has been the subject of discussion recently. That and my seemingly endless hunt for a recumbent to replace my now-sold Trek 520.

zpl

Told a few co-workers about my first night ride (descriptive thread in the Clyde forum). My "what a nutcase" factor just went up around the office apparently.

cccorlew

My co worker, also a bike commuter, is in teh light-buying mode. He commutes on a dark trial and path in teh dark and says his eyes are getting older. He now has a dual beam headlight, 2 smaller lights pointing lightly to the sides and just got a super bright helmet light.

That's what we talk about!

cyccommute 

I've been doing this for so long and have worked this job for so long that they don't even think about me as a nutcase. They just know I'm one

caloso

Hasn't happened yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone mentions "Hey, you can get a really nice new bike for $240! I saw one at Target/Walmart/Sports Authority for $199."

Catgrrl70

Lots of conversations lately. 4 of us in my group ride to work regularly (me the most). 3 of them have had serious, like x-ray and stitches, crashes in the past 2 months. Someone asked me have you ever crashed? "Um, yes, when I first started out like they did..." I think my supervisor was worried about me.

Found out another co-worker who bought a bike in the spring and rode only 3 times to work is selling his brand-new bike. He keeps talking about how long the bus takes and that he wants to get into better shape...whatever. Trying to be supportive without being mean about that one. I may have a buyer for his bike though...

And another conversation with someone new asking about biking to work from my area of town, am trying to help her get a job at my workplace. I think she'd do it too which is exiting! Most people think I'm very, very brave for riding to work and back...

ryanwood

When I get to class and nobody wants to sit next to me because I am all sweaty, I just remind them that I have not put gas in my Subaru in 6 weeks. That usually switches the looks of disgust to looks of jealousy pretty quickly. Followed by the normal "that's too far to ride" and "but its raining outside" comments.

PaulRivers

Oh I got one of those.

Me: Here's a picture of the bike I'm looking at.
Him: Looks fancy. How much does it cost?
Me: $3,000.
Him: Holy Crap!
Me: Yeah, but it's fast AND a really comfortable ride.
Him: Hey, why aren't there pedals in this picture?
Me: It doesn't come with pedals.
Him: It costs $3,000 and it DOESN'T COME WITH PEDALS??
Me: Well people who buys these bikes typically don't...
Him: You're sure it doesn't come with pedals?
Me: Like I was saying, people usually already have their own pedals that work with their shoes...
Him: How much did your shoes cost?
Me: My shoes were $200, and my pedals were $100...
Him: OMG! Look - here's a nice bike at Walmart that costs $80.
Me: Uh...did you notice that in the reviews, several people mention that you can't even shift into all the gears?
Him: I still can't believe that for $3,000 you don't get pedals with the bike.
Me: ...

Weeks later he's still in permanent shock and disbelief that the bike doesn't come with pedals. He's a nice enough guy, actually, just not familiar with buying a bike... :-)

nahh

"I should really bike to school"
me:"Why don't you?"
"It's soo far away"
me:"Your house is on my route, towards the end"
*Blank Stare*