[Rant] Can anyone think of a stupider way to recognize Bike to Work week than...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael A on June 11, 2013 at 2:22pm

It may come as a shock to some of you, but all different kinds of people use bikes for other things then to just get to work. A spin class is a very effective way to get in shape in a controlled setting. You will get a much better workout on a spin bike in an hour with a good instructor then 99% of you could ever get outdoors in 2-3 hours. I Just will never get how people here feel the need to categorize other riders. If you wear spandex your a "lance" if you ride a fixed gear your a "hipster" MTB'ers are "dirtbags" Can't you just be happy that all these people share a common interest??? It is just a bike ride, get over yourself.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 11, 2013 at 2:23pm

Sounds like something a dirtbag hipster would say…

Michael A said:

It may come as a shock to some of you, but all different kinds of people use bikes for other things then to just get to work. A spin class is a very effective way to get in shape in a controlled setting. You will get a much better workout on a spin bike in an hour with a good instructor then 99% of you could ever get outdoors in 2-3 hours. I Just will never get how people here feel the need to categorize other riders. If you wear spandex your a "lance" if you ride a fixed gear your a "hipster" MTB'ers are "dirtbags" Can't you just be happy that all these people share a common interest??? It is just a bike ride, get over yourself.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on June 11, 2013 at 2:35pm

I wasn't suggesting that spinning wouldn't be effective for its intended purpose, just boring.  And expensive. I'd rather spend my money on bikes and have the occasional opportunity to watch the sun rise over the lake.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Davo on June 11, 2013 at 3:37pm

What about those people who commute by unicycle?

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on June 11, 2013 at 3:41pm

One year when living in upstate New York a couple of us commuted by canoe for "bike" to work week. :-)  (Just one day of the week.)  We lived in Scotia, NY and worked at GE's Research and Development Center in Niskayuna, both of which bordered the Mohawk River.  We arranged with the GE security folks to open a gate for us in the morning and let us back out in the evening.

Davo said:

What about those people who commute by unicycle?

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on June 11, 2013 at 3:46pm

That's doable in Chicago as well.  I knew an instructor at the University of Chicago who would Kayak from Montrose Harbor to Hyde Park and back during the warm months... but he was in awfully good shape....

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

One year when living in upstate New York a couple of us commuted by canoe for "bike" to work week. :-)  (Just one day of the week.)  We lived in Scotia, NY and worked at GE's Research and Development Center in Niskayuna, both of which bordered the Mohawk River.  We arranged with the GE security folks to open a gate for us in the morning and let us back out in the evening.

Davo said:

What about those people who commute by unicycle?

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 11, 2013 at 3:49pm

Love it!

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

One year when living in upstate New York a couple of us commuted by canoe for "bike" to work week. :-)  (Just one day of the week.)  We lived in Scotia, NY and worked at GE's Research and Development Center in Niskayuna, both of which bordered the Mohawk River.  We arranged with the GE security folks to open a gate for us in the morning and let us back out in the evening.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 11, 2013 at 3:51pm

Agreed. Why spin when we have beautiful weather for actually riding to go somewhere?  ;)

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

I wasn't suggesting that spinning wouldn't be effective for its intended purpose, just boring.  And expensive. I'd rather spend my money on bikes and have the occasional opportunity to watch the sun rise over the lake.  :-)

Permalink Reply by JimmyD on June 11, 2013 at 3:53pm

Yeah... you must be thinking of DAYTONA Bike Week!  ;)

Chi Lowe 12.5+ mi said:

So what I'm hearing is "no pasties allowed".

David crZven 10.6 said:

Ride around without clothing on in order to make sure that Bicyclists are considered to be normal members of the community.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 11, 2013 at 4:21pm

Were you denied your tee shirt, stale bagel and banana at the Friday rally because you were not pushing a bike through the line?

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

One year when living in upstate New York a couple of us commuted by canoe for "bike" to work week. :-)  (Just one day of the week.)  We lived in Scotia, NY and worked at GE's Research and Development Center in Niskayuna, both of which bordered the Mohawk River.  We arranged with the GE security folks to open a gate for us in the morning and let us back out in the evening.

Davo said:

What about those people who commute by unicycle?

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on June 11, 2013 at 4:46pm

I don't know anyone pays for a gym membership to ride a stationary, it's not like real riding just pedaling.

If you have children at home or are in some type of muscle rehab. then yeah but even then you can get a simple stand that raises your back wheel off the ground or you want to watch a loop video of Pee Wee or E.T. flying, or you love texting while pedaling.

I saw a kid on training wheels get his rear wheel just off the ground so he was pedaling like crazy going nowhere and it was fun, if you're 5.

Permalink Reply by Melissa on June 11, 2013 at 5:32pm

Can anyone think of a...

...way to express dislike for something without claiming it is universally bad, simply because it does not align with your personal taste or objectives?  And in the process, avoid insulting the people who create, promote, and enjoy those things?  Ready, go. 

Here is an example: As a long-time bicycle commuter, it seemed ironic to me at first that one of the activities offered during Chicago Bike Week involves riding a stationary bike, because the week-long event was formerly named Bike to Work Week and predominantly emphasized riding to a particular destination.  However, I am smart enough to recognize that providing a broad array of cycling-related activities creates inroads to participation for a greater number of people, thereby increasing engagement in cycling in Chicago overall.

Or something like that ;-)

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