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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So true, it was usually just the DUI'ers, people too broke to drive, and me; I laugh out loud and cry on the inside at this reality.

Unfortunately when I visit I can't ride from parents (new) house into town due to a stretch of shoulderless highway but I'm hoping one day for some train tracks nearby to be officially abandoned so Rails-to-Trails can take it over. I pitched that idea to the mayor when I saw him at a bar (yes, a bar) about a year ago, he asked me if I could write grants to which I replied yes, then he said to get on it... gotta love small town government.

Holly said:
Eric-- I know just what you mean. Where I'm from, there's the same thought that crosses people's mind when they see a person on a bike. One easy way to tell the difference between someone with a DUI who's on bike and someone who really *wants* to be on a bike is that the DUI rider usually rides an unlubed, squeaky 10 speed with drop bars flipped upside down! Easier to grip? Oh, and they're usually smoking, too! Hee hee!

Cameron Puetz said:
I lived in a small (Pop. < 700) town...

Eric Roach said:
When I lived in my home town... .

Eduardo Acosta said:
I get the questions "isn't it too dark to be biking?"...


Steven Lane said:
I sold my car 10 years ago. Since then I haven't paid for gas, insurance, city stickers, or parking tickets, and I never waste time stuck in traffic or circling the block looking for a parking space.

That usually gets a wow. Oddly, many follow with, "I don't know if I could do that."

I'm tempted to break into an acapella version of Suicidal Tendencies Institutionalized "I'm not crazy. You're the one that's crazy! You're DRIVING me crazy!!!"

Best reply, if only for the song.

I like to break it down in terms of being faster in rush hour as well as the money part, plus I can stop anywhere I want "park" and go, no early bird specials, no tickets... the only bad part is February but we also live in a city with the 2nd largest mass transit system so I'll fork over $50 for the train/bus when it's 4 degrees. Fahrenheit.
I just point out that it's not that different than any other time of year as long as you dress appropriately.
Just smile! or "That's funny, I think people are crazy for NOT biking!" and run down all the benefits you get out of it. When they are saying that, it might be a compliment or it might be peer pressure to conform...which do you think it is?? If it might be a compliment, say "Thanks!".
It could be them not being able to wrap their heads around someone voluntarily doing something they see as uncomfortable.

Barbra Mann said:
Just smile! or "That's funny, I think people are crazy for NOT biking!" and run down all the benefits you get out of it. When they are saying that, it might be a compliment or it might be peer pressure to conform...which do you think it is?? If it might be a compliment, say "Thanks!".
One of my co-workers asked me on Monday if I rode. When I told her 'yes', she called me a knucklehead. :)

Strange - it's cold outside, yet I'm wiping off sweat when changing into my work clothes.
Looks like Monday & Tuesday will be reserved for the real crazy bikers. I hope to get out in it . . .

Sunday Night
Clearing and very cold. Lows zero to 5 above.

Monday and Monday Night
Mostly clear. Very cold. Highs 10 to 15. Lows zero to 5 below.
Some co-workers would say I'm crazy for biking in the cold, and I would say, "I'm sweating." Or something like, "I can't believe you put up with taking care of a car in the winter."

Many co-workers and friends are impressed. And I say, "Thanks."
My sentiment exactly.
Gin said:
I hate being cold more than anything. That's why I ride my bike all winter.
I just don't see why we have to explain anything, it's really no ones business why we do what we do!! I don't make a comment when someones pants are to short or their hair is a mess. They are who they are and if what or who they are doesn't impose on my world then i hope they are happy!! Isn't that what matters???
In defense to coworkers and others who call us crazy, I do have to say before I started winter riding, I always thought, also, that it would be tremendously uncomfortable. Not just the cold, but also navigating around the snow. Once I started, I was very surprised about how much I enjoy winter riding, especially with temperatures in the high teens and up. Good gear (studded tires, clothing etc) makes of course all the difference.
As I was walking out yesterday all geared up I heard someone say to me, "You're crazy for riding in this weather!" I turned around, noticed who it was and said, "Um....isn't that your bike next to mine?" It was one of 2 co-workers (out of 200) who commute as well. That was much nicer than the co-workers who think I'm absolutely nuts for riding.



Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
One of my co-workers asked me on Monday if I rode. When I told her 'yes', she called me a knucklehead. :)

Strange - it's cold outside, yet I'm wiping off sweat when changing into my work clothes.

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