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What's the right bike to ride to a first date?

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What's the right bike to ride to a first date?

Old 07-20-17, 10:13 AM
  #1  
oddjob2
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What's the right bike to ride to a first date?

I just turned 61 and have begun to date again.

Tuesday night's date apparently didn't think it was so cool that I rode my late 1986 yellow/white fade Trek 560 pro 4 miles to the Sushi joint for a meet and greet, because we were done in an hour.

This afternoon, I plan to meet an intelligent, self assured woman, whom is a dead ringer for Tom Cruise's 2nd ex. We plan to meet at Art Fair and she mentioned she'd be riding a bike. So who's to say no to that?

Any recommendations? Many bf members know I have more than a few to pick from, bikes that is. It will be parked and left unattended for a while, so the high dollar bikes are out of the question. @RobbieTunes, she'll have to wait to see my MV Ironman.


Results are in and listed in post #90

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Old 07-20-17, 10:30 AM
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Simple, ride one of your tandems.
At our age, direct messages are best.
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Old 07-20-17, 10:41 AM
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Something without too much history behind it. Having a hobby is interesting for them to hear about, talking for 30 minutes about your relationship with the bike (and bikes in general) is an obsession.
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Old 07-20-17, 10:55 AM
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A good first impression is the most important thing. So, avoid riding the Kona "Jake the Snake". Women want somebody that's stable & dependable. So, don't ride up on a "Free Spirit". Maybe an "Ironman" is your best bet.
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Old 07-20-17, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Wildwood
Simple, ride one of your tandems.
At our age, direct messages are best.
Y'know, it might be jest, but this is brilliant. It'll likely be a unique, memorable experience for her.
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Old 07-20-17, 10:58 AM
  #6  
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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.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:00 AM
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My First Bike date. She loved the rack ride.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
Y'know, it might be jest, but this is brilliant. It'll likely be a unique, memorable experience for her.
...Where she'll possibly be stressed about leaving her bike sitting somewhere if she rides the tandem... Cool idea, but I think the tandem would be better left to the 2nd date.

Have an English 3-speed you could take? They convey maturity, self-assuredness and a bit of sophistication. Would quite likely be some nostalgia with that also.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
Y'know, it might be jest, but this is brilliant. It'll likely be a unique, memorable experience for her.

Not in jest. She probably won't ride on first date, as she brought her own bike. Early dates are about impressions, it shows a willingness to include her in your hobbies.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
Y'know, it might be jest, but this is brilliant. It'll likely be a unique, memorable experience for her.
Don't people call tandems "divorce bikes"?
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Old 07-20-17, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by rfmarotti
Don't people call tandems "divorce bikes"?
The saying I'm familiar with is whichever way your relationship was heading...a tandem gets you there faster.

For me that was married.

Zorro is probably right, though I think it does show some spirit.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by rfmarotti
Don't people call tandems "divorce bikes"?
I like the line, "whichever way your relationship is going, a tandem will get you there faster!"

P.S. Dangit, Aaron beat me by a minute.

P.P.S. Grats on getting back on the horse, @oddjob2!
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Old 07-20-17, 11:24 AM
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With only a few posts, this is already the best thread of the week.

I was going to say English 3-speed, too, until I saw mention of the tandem.

Is there a point to giving the impression you're not a C&V bike nutjob? Because that would be deceptive.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Kevindale
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.
I think it's best not to start off on a false premise. If the relationship is going to go anywhere she'll notice that eventually, so it's best to let her see it right away. If she's a keeper, she'll understand. That's why I think the best choice is...

Originally Posted by Kevindale
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.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:29 AM
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Your Nobilette is a good conversation starter----red, local builder, looks awesome
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Old 07-20-17, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
The saying I'm familiar with is whichever way your relationship was heading...a tandem gets you there faster.

For me that was married.

Zorro is probably right, though I think it does show some spirit.
Ha. I love that. Never heard that.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:39 AM
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Duh! A Masi.

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Old 07-20-17, 11:41 AM
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I don't recall worrying about which bike I rode to dates because I'd assume the other person would be unlikely to care at all. It's not something I'd talk about. The tandem is an interesting choice because it's an experience.

It's also interesting how differently we all view what a different bike says about you.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
My First Bike date
priceless
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Old 07-20-17, 11:48 AM
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Schwinn Date Krate.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by USAZorro
...

Have an English 3-speed you could take? They convey maturity, self-assuredness and a bit of sophistication. Would quite likely be some nostalgia with that also.
I vote with Zorro. Nothing is classier than a vintage 3 speed.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:52 AM
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you have one of these?
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Old 07-20-17, 11:53 AM
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What about your PX10? The Tour is in its final stages, nothing says sophistication like a French beauty and the colors are neutral so they will not clash with your ensemble.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by USAZorro
...Where she'll possibly be stressed about leaving her bike sitting somewhere if she rides the tandem... Cool idea, but I think the tandem would be better left to the 2nd date.

Have an English 3-speed you could take? They convey maturity, self-assuredness and a bit of sophistication. Would quite likely be some nostalgia with that also.
+ 1. The tandem idea is smart and funny but the English 3 speed is a great idea. It's retro urban cool.
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Old 07-20-17, 11:58 AM
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Ride what you feel and see what comes out of it. If I were going to offer advice, it would be to just be yourself - and that includes riding what you want to ride. Have fun and good luck!

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