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Honeymoon?!!! But what does it mean?

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Honeymoon?!!! But what does it mean?

Old 04-27-21, 06:44 PM
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Elbeinlaw
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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?
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Old 04-27-21, 06:57 PM
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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.
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Old 04-27-21, 07:18 PM
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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.
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Old 04-27-21, 10:45 PM
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People say weird sh%t all the time everywhere.
Dwelling over it or trying to dissect it is almost as weird imo.
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Old 04-27-21, 11:01 PM
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Nice... Hope you never forget it...
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Old 04-28-21, 09:09 AM
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Panniers and other baggage

Originally Posted by UCantTouchThis
I'm still stuck on the fact you needed paniers and an overnight stay to do a 48 mile ride.

Was it a trip planned specifically to do some camping?
No, the trip was planned as a proof of concept--think Mercury Program building to Apollo. I wanted to show my travelling partner that (1) 20 miles in a day was doable, even on multiple consecutive days and (2) if we did an overnight, we could carry everything we needed with us and (3) the point is to pack light and tight. You can only "tell" so much and then you have to let the other party see. Which this trip accomplished.

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."
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Old 04-28-21, 01:08 PM
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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.
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Old 04-28-21, 06:17 PM
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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 ... .
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Old 04-28-21, 06:26 PM
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Sweet.

Weird, but sweet.
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Old 04-29-21, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Papa Tom
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.
Except that he made it their business when he yelled out the question to them.

Dan
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Old 04-30-21, 07:13 AM
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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.
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Old 04-30-21, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by _ForceD_
Except that he made it their business when he yelled out the question to them.

Dan
Nah. The Tai Chi guy was just being friendly. Plus, being a Tai Chi guy and assuming the couple may have been looking at him like he was a freak (as many people DO perceive Tai Chi guys), he was probably just trying to break the ice. When was the last time you said something during an awkward moment that you later regretted?

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.
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Old 04-30-21, 08:30 AM
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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.
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Old 04-30-21, 12:13 PM
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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.
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Old 05-02-21, 08:16 PM
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Maybe the stranger thought the two of you looked happy and in love.
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Old 05-03-21, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by MAK
Maybe the stranger thought the two of you looked happy and in love.
Nothing wrong with that.
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Old 05-04-21, 07:02 AM
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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.
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