What's the right bike to ride to a first date?
#26
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Simple --- pick any suited to the ride.
Consider, if the choice of bike would have any effect on the outcome, the relationship is a non -starter anyway.
She's dating YOU, not your bike.
Consider, if the choice of bike would have any effect on the outcome, the relationship is a non -starter anyway.
She's dating YOU, not your bike.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#27
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Good luck on your bike date! I enjoyed my dating scene years back but could never go through it again.
#28
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I like the classic three speed, or the Nobilette. The former is a no-pressure steed if you decide to go for a casual ride together after meeting, the latter an automatic conversation starter.
Do have any idea what kind of bike she'll be riding?
Do have any idea what kind of bike she'll be riding?
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#29
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Me, I'll be fine being the stoker
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#30
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The other portion of bicycle selection strategy is this.
Suppose she rolls in on some generic hybrid, and you are on a racing bike. If she's never ridden a drop bar bike before, the difference in bicycles might not make riding bicycles seem something that you have in common to her, and your ice breaker will need to be something else.
If you roll up on an upright bicycle, and she does too - you've preserved that ice-breaker. If she shows up on a bike with a drop bar, it gives you an opening to tell her about your drop bar bicycles.
No doubt a more creative mind than mine might be able to turn that 1st scenario around, but anecdotally, when I have ridden my Superbe to the polling place to vote, it gets much more comment (and none negative), than when I have ridden one of my 10-speeds.
Hope you have a very nice time on your date.
Suppose she rolls in on some generic hybrid, and you are on a racing bike. If she's never ridden a drop bar bike before, the difference in bicycles might not make riding bicycles seem something that you have in common to her, and your ice breaker will need to be something else.
If you roll up on an upright bicycle, and she does too - you've preserved that ice-breaker. If she shows up on a bike with a drop bar, it gives you an opening to tell her about your drop bar bicycles.
No doubt a more creative mind than mine might be able to turn that 1st scenario around, but anecdotally, when I have ridden my Superbe to the polling place to vote, it gets much more comment (and none negative), than when I have ridden one of my 10-speeds.
Hope you have a very nice time on your date.
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#31
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Sigh,.......young man confidence and puppy love all in one pic!
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#32
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A tandem would be way too presumptous, IMHO. In fact I think it would be rather creepy...almost like showing up with a condom visible in your back pocket.
My vote would be a good all-around road bike, nothing too flashy, but not shabby either.
My vote would be a good all-around road bike, nothing too flashy, but not shabby either.
#33
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It may have been the same day as the pic.
I was 11 y/o She 10 y/o. She wanted to kiss all day long. We Did.
Good Luck Oddjob2
I was 11 y/o She 10 y/o. She wanted to kiss all day long. We Did.
Good Luck Oddjob2
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Last edited by 10 Wheels; 07-20-17 at 12:52 PM.
#34
Senior Member
If you want this to go beyond one date:
Ride a bike similar to what you think she will be on.
Be more interested in her than your bike.
Know that she doesn't give a crap which bike you are on and/or why.
Ride a bike similar to what you think she will be on.
Be more interested in her than your bike.
Know that she doesn't give a crap which bike you are on and/or why.
Last edited by KDTX; 07-20-17 at 12:45 PM.
#35
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Showing up on a bike for a first date is a great idea. But talking about it? Not a good idea.
#36
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Depends on the signal you want to send to start the date:
1. Take your most expensive, modern, fancy bike - signal that you have money, and like to spend it, but that you're also probably preoccupied with appearances, and maybe too caught up in guy stuff to be emotionally available.
2. Take your goofiest, most interesting vintage frankenbike - signal that you're free spirited, artistic, and a bit of a show off. She'll know you're a fun guy, but might also feel intimidated if she's not equally playful and spontaneous.
3. Take your rarest, oldest, most authentic vintage bike, and let her know what it is - signal that you're smart, exacting, obsessive, and probably too OCD to be a good partner. However, if she's a cat lady or equally obsessive about something, this may be attractive.
4. Take a rat rod fixie bike, something with primer and rust and rock band stickers and drewed derailleur hanger, and casually toss it against a fence when you arrive - single that your a bad-ass dude who doesn't give a damn, even though it will be painfully obvious you spent a lot of time working to cultivate that image of not caring.
5. Take a full race bike, and show up in full race kit - signal that you aren't really interested in dating, but would like a riding partner.
6. Show up in a good looking all-arounder road bike, especially something in Celeste blue. When you arrive, don't mention the bike unless she does, and if she does, tell her thanks, that you put it together yourself, and say no more about bikes the rest of the date - signal that you have good taste, are competent with the manly arts, and aren't a deranged C&V obsessed bike nut.
1. Take your most expensive, modern, fancy bike - signal that you have money, and like to spend it, but that you're also probably preoccupied with appearances, and maybe too caught up in guy stuff to be emotionally available.
2. Take your goofiest, most interesting vintage frankenbike - signal that you're free spirited, artistic, and a bit of a show off. She'll know you're a fun guy, but might also feel intimidated if she's not equally playful and spontaneous.
3. Take your rarest, oldest, most authentic vintage bike, and let her know what it is - signal that you're smart, exacting, obsessive, and probably too OCD to be a good partner. However, if she's a cat lady or equally obsessive about something, this may be attractive.
4. Take a rat rod fixie bike, something with primer and rust and rock band stickers and drewed derailleur hanger, and casually toss it against a fence when you arrive - single that your a bad-ass dude who doesn't give a damn, even though it will be painfully obvious you spent a lot of time working to cultivate that image of not caring.
5. Take a full race bike, and show up in full race kit - signal that you aren't really interested in dating, but would like a riding partner.
6. Show up in a good looking all-arounder road bike, especially something in Celeste blue. When you arrive, don't mention the bike unless she does, and if she does, tell her thanks, that you put it together yourself, and say no more about bikes the rest of the date - signal that you have good taste, are competent with the manly arts, and aren't a deranged C&V obsessed bike nut.
#37
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There isn't a single post here that hasn't made me smile or laugh. @10 Wheels, I like you even more than before.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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#38
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There isn't a single post here that hasn't made me smile or laugh. @10 Wheels, I like you even more than before.
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#39
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Its between Italian and French, the two great countries of love, depending on OJ2 stable. Polish up which ever one you choose real nice, like getting a hair cut and shoe shine before Cary Grant met the lady he was having dinner with.
G'luck on the date, where y'all going for coffee?
Bill
G'luck on the date, where y'all going for coffee?
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
#42
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#43
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This thread takes me back to my high school days in the 80's. There was a young lady I liked. I asked her out, but she said I had to meet her parents first. They invited me to dinner at their house. I really liked riding bikes and hated driving. I would work bike rides into everything I did. So I decided to ride my bike to her house. It was a nice Fuji racing bike BTW. Anyways, Dad did not look terribly impressed when I rode up. I think he equated bikes with poverty. And no, I did not get to date her.
#44
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#45
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#46
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I was going to say, don't show up with you grail race bike as it might look like you're trying to show off and maybe make her bike look bad........but who knows......... if she might roll up on a De Rosa, Masi or Pinarello??......and you might have brought something similar to a Huffy Aerowind......
Maybe better ask her innocently what she rides, before the date......
Maybe better ask her innocently what she rides, before the date......
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#47
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Good for both of you!
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#48
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masi worked for me. 1 year and going strong she says!
#49
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Put the tandem and a bolt cutter in the pickup truck and drive to somewhere near the date.
Find her bike, cut the lock, stash it in the pickup. Ride the tandem back.
When she discovers her bike has been stolen, you can offer her a ride home on the tandem.
The next day you appear heroically having retrieved her bike from the thieves.
What could possibly go wrong?
Find her bike, cut the lock, stash it in the pickup. Ride the tandem back.
When she discovers her bike has been stolen, you can offer her a ride home on the tandem.
The next day you appear heroically having retrieved her bike from the thieves.
What could possibly go wrong?
#50
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Yeah, blame it on the bike!