Honeymoon?!!! But what does it mean?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Honeymoon?!!! But what does it mean?
My wife and I did our first long overnight together this past weekend. We rode from our house to Stone Mountain Park (24 miles each way), spent the night and came back. It was more a proof of concept than anything, but it was a good trip. Except for one little odd interaction on Monday afternoon.
We were on our way back--say, 40 miles into our total of 50--and stopped at this little park to have a snack. So here we are, too middle-aged (at best) people, dressed in helmets and sunglasses and safety vests, with two panniers each, looking somewhat sweaty and ragged and tired. After sitting for a few minutes and snacking, we packed up and headed off to complete our last leg of 10 miles.
This guy was doing Tai Chi in the park--he looked to be 35 or 40--and he turned to watch us go. Then he called out, "Are y'all on your honeymoon?"
To be clear: Neither of us was in wedding clothing. We weren't eating wedding cake. We weren't feeding each other or making moon eyes. We weren't sitting in each other's laps or making out on the park bench. There was nothing the least bit romantic about what we were doing or the way we acted. I don't think we even sat on the same bench.
Normally I talk to everyone I meet. And I would have here, too, except that we were already saddled up and on our way. But it struck me then, and it's stuck with me since: I can't for the life of me figure out how he could have come to that conclusion. Any ideas?
Any ideas?
We were on our way back--say, 40 miles into our total of 50--and stopped at this little park to have a snack. So here we are, too middle-aged (at best) people, dressed in helmets and sunglasses and safety vests, with two panniers each, looking somewhat sweaty and ragged and tired. After sitting for a few minutes and snacking, we packed up and headed off to complete our last leg of 10 miles.
This guy was doing Tai Chi in the park--he looked to be 35 or 40--and he turned to watch us go. Then he called out, "Are y'all on your honeymoon?"
To be clear: Neither of us was in wedding clothing. We weren't eating wedding cake. We weren't feeding each other or making moon eyes. We weren't sitting in each other's laps or making out on the park bench. There was nothing the least bit romantic about what we were doing or the way we acted. I don't think we even sat on the same bench.
Normally I talk to everyone I meet. And I would have here, too, except that we were already saddled up and on our way. But it struck me then, and it's stuck with me since: I can't for the life of me figure out how he could have come to that conclusion. Any ideas?
Any ideas?
#2
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
Yeah, because you were. Bike touring together is extremely romantic. Touring together is even better on a tandem. Bike touring, like a honeymoon, can tighten a relationship. Or lead to divorce. IMO, more couples should tandem tour together. Life is short, don't waste your time. The bystander noticed your togetherness.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#3
Senior Member
Sorry to lecture, but it's none of your business what other people think about you. Save yourself the extra stress of worrying about it and biking (as well as everything else in your life) will be even more enjoyable.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,476
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 1,628 Times
in
1,044 Posts
Nice... Hope you never forget it...
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Panniers and other baggage
We didn't need an overnight. It was kind of ... well, call it reward, or bait, or whatever. It accomplished what it was supposed to. Before that trip, my travelling companion was saying, "I don't know if I can do 20 miles." Today after 2 x 20 miles/day she was saying, "But I still don't know if I could do 50 miles in a day ..." Success!
As far as what that gentleman said, I think y'all missed the point. It didn't bother me, in the sense of being insulted. I saw it as what it clearly was: a nice gesture. But it didn't really connect up with anything we were doing. Things that are outside a discernable pattern bother me because my business is to understand behavior patterns, and if something seems random it means I'm not understanding something. Of course, he could have been crazy and the comment completely random.
And in retrospect, I should have said: "Yes, we've been on an almost-40-year honeymoon."
Likes For Elbeinlaw:
#7
Let's do a Century
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
408 Posts
Maybe he lost his balance doing Tai Chi and hit his head and became delusional??? Actually it does sound like a really good conversation starter, doesn’t it?
regardless sounds like a good trip.
regardless sounds like a good trip.
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
Likes For jppe:
#8
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
Our closest experience occurred early in our marriage. As car-free starving grad students, we were out bicycling in west Los Angeles when we encountered a middle-aged Irish gentleman who asked me, "That's a beautiful lass. Is she your love?" Made my day ... .
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Likes For jon c.:
#10
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Dan
Likes For _ForceD_:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Rolesville NC
Posts: 816
Bikes: Had an old Columbia in the 80's, here a used Schwinn hybrid, now a Cannondale Quick 3 and a Topstone 105..
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 249 Post(s)
Liked 306 Times
in
139 Posts
Another perspective: From the Ti Chi guy, "If that were me and my woman she would have killed me in my sleep. Must be on their Honeymoon." Just a thought.
Glad you both had a good experience and hope you can get in that 50 mile ride.
Frank.
Glad you both had a good experience and hope you can get in that 50 mile ride.
Frank.
Likes For Helderberg:
#12
Senior Member
Still, I say don't over-analyze it. Be grateful that you and your wife can enjoy biking together and the Tai Chi guy can still be in the park doing what he loves.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18410 Post(s)
Liked 15,530 Times
in
7,326 Posts
I was in a LTR (7.5 yrs) with someone. She and I were sometimes assumed to be married by cycling people we met but did not know. We both had custom Independent Fabrication road bikes. Thing is, that we each bought them before we started dating (She was actually married to someone I knew), each without the knowledge of the other's purchase. Then, when we started doing some touring, I had to replace my stolen Surly LHT. Got a 2010 model in black. Planned a tour in Montana for 2011. Bought her a Surly LHT for her birthday so she should wouldn't have to use her slower MTB. If you know anything about Surly, it only offers one or two colors to keep prices lower. Only thing available was black. At least we never bought matching kits.
#14
Senior Member
Elbeinlaw,
Wife & I got that from some random Chinese guy in Chinatown NY on our very first date. We've since gotten it a few times 20+ years later while riding one of our tandems. It's all good.
Wife & I got that from some random Chinese guy in Chinatown NY on our very first date. We've since gotten it a few times 20+ years later while riding one of our tandems. It's all good.
#16
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
Nothing wrong with that.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,226
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1971 Gitane Apache Standard, 1999 Specialized Hard Rock
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 548 Post(s)
Liked 473 Times
in
302 Posts
Just a random comment I'm sure, known to make a few in my time and have heard just as many aimed at me. Best not to analyze it and assume it was meant in kindness.
Keeping in mind, that cycling is still predominately enjoyed by men, usually with men, so maybe seeing a couple cycling together to him is a rare sight and an assumption that a couple must be in the initial stages of love to have fun together. A lot of couples don't share the hobby so for those of you with a partner that enjoys the same passion, cherish it because you are the lucky ones.
Something I have noticed is the pandemic has brought couples together since group rides are not allowed in many places so cycling with a partner is the only option for company. I saw more couples on tandem bikes last summer than I have even seen in my life. All good things.
Keeping in mind, that cycling is still predominately enjoyed by men, usually with men, so maybe seeing a couple cycling together to him is a rare sight and an assumption that a couple must be in the initial stages of love to have fun together. A lot of couples don't share the hobby so for those of you with a partner that enjoys the same passion, cherish it because you are the lucky ones.
Something I have noticed is the pandemic has brought couples together since group rides are not allowed in many places so cycling with a partner is the only option for company. I saw more couples on tandem bikes last summer than I have even seen in my life. All good things.
Likes For gthomson: