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I live 5 miles away from where i work out here in the boonies, and each day now that's it's colder my coworkers say "your crazy to bike when it's so cold out" has anyone else heard these comments and what do you say to them?

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No one has accused me of being crazy, but one person did ask me if I have a "cut off" point, as far as how cold it gets. I just told them that the temperature is never a real problem, but a real heavy snowstorm, like the kind we have in January or February might do it.
People rarely ever talk to me at work, probably because I'm the guy who never says anything to anyone unless I absolutely have to. I've noticed that some folks are intimidated by that, which is fine with me.


Jay said:
The best are the "you're crazy" comments from people standing at a bus stop with no gloves or hat on when it's in the 20s. OK.

OK.
i say you only get cold when your old and don't move enough to even consider it exercise. i have told my kids they can put me in a home when i stop riding
I just thought of this saying that certain types of officey people always post in their office or cube and I think it may be an appropriate response: "You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps!"
Some of my short, stock responses:

Biking is my habit.
I choose not to own a car and I enjoy biking more than transit.
It's actually not that hard when you have the right gear--which is much less expensive than a car or a transit pass.

But my favorite: I hate being cold more than anything. That's why I ride my bike all winter.

For folks who are genuinely interested (or become interested due to my positive response), I bust out a bike winter sticker and maybe a gaiter (always carry an extra for these bike winter missionary moments) so they too can became year round bike warriors. ;-)

Gin
Its a great opportunity to expand peoples horizons. You are doing what they feel is impossible. This past week or so I have been telling coworkers who make similar comments that I feel sorry for them they have a chilly 4+ block walk to the train to and from work while I get to stay warm creating heat and riding directly to and from my destination.

Amazing how perceptions can be so inaccurate.
forgot to mention other compelling reasons to bike they may grasp: I dont get colds from other people on the train sneezing/coughing all over the place and I dont have to listen to their annoying cellphone conversations.

I just really dont see the downside of riding to work?



chixieonfixie said:
Its a great opportunity to expand peoples horizons. You are doing what they feel is impossible. This past week or so I have been telling coworkers who make similar comments that I feel sorry for them they have a chilly 4+ block walk to the train to and from work while I get to stay warm creating heat and riding directly to and from my destination.

Amazing how perceptions can be so inaccurate.
Gin,

I LOVE that response!

Gin said:
I hate being cold more than anything. That's why I ride my bike all winter.


Cameron Puetz said:
Really if your plan is to jump in the lake in December, does the bike ride to get there really make you crazier? Also how long is the Great Lakes surfing season and are there any guides for how to find spots?

my point exactly.... though riding through 45 knot winds with a feather weight pointy object with many sharp projections (fins) makes life a little bit more interesting at times.

we have a year-round season if one is willing to go to whichever side of the lake(s) that the wind is blowing towards (having as much coastline as the east and west coast put together!) the water is warm enough for most people through october though i was just in it yesterday and it seemed fine to me.

surfing the great lakes spills all the beans! it's such a shame that in doing such a great job peter strazzabosco created a pariah of himself amongst his peers.
How tight ?

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
One of my coworkers kind of did a double-take yesterday as we're leaving and I'm wearing shorts with tights underneath.
When I lived in my home town (about 20,000 pop. located in the Central ILL) I often rode and walked to places by choice instead of driving, which of course is the default for transporting one's self, and the response from everyone was the same when they saw me "do you want a ride?" or at times they would forcefully tell me to get in the car as if I was a lost, crazy man.

I am usually a little more sarcastic now when people comment about riding in Chicago in the winter. I usually tell them, "Yes, I am super human that is the only reason I can be outside in the winter".



Eduardo Acosta said:
I get the questions "isn't it too dark to be biking?" while they're looking at my bike with a bike light on my handbar or when I"m coming into work on a rainy morning they ask, "Did you get wet?"


Co-workers, family and friends started to feel sorry for me and offer me rides everywhere. "You know my offer is still on the table is you want me to pick you up or drop you off..."
I AM SUPERMAN!
(I think that's a song)




Eric Roach said:
When I lived in my home town (about 20,000 pop. located in the Central ILL) I often rode and walked to places by choice instead of driving, which of course is the default for transporting one's self, and the response from everyone was the same when they saw me "do you want a ride?" or at times they would forcefully tell me to get in the car as if I was a lost, crazy man.

I am usually a little more sarcastic now when people comment about riding in Chicago in the winter. I usually tell them, "Yes, I am super human that is the only reason I can be outside in the winter".



Eduardo Acosta said:
I get the questions "isn't it too dark to be biking?" while they're looking at my bike with a bike light on my handbar or when I"m coming into work on a rainy morning they ask, "Did you get wet?"


Co-workers, family and friends started to feel sorry for me and offer me rides everywhere. "You know my offer is still on the table is you want me to pick you up or drop you off..."

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