Do you get a lot of "UNWANTED" attention?

[Edward Wong]

Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
your riding session? I mean I commute on my bent everyday and will get at least one dumb remark or a
horn honking from some ignorant motorist out on the streets. That's part of the territory so to
speak and have accepted that long ago. Now, I must also put up with idiots whenever I go for a
pleasure ride as well. Take yesterday for example. I was on my way to the bike trail in the early
evening and just a couple of hundred yards before the trail head, some joker going the opposite lane
driving a dark blue imported car sticks his head out the window and yells, "You're so stupid!". I
wonder who or what pulled this jerk's chain to verbally assault me like that. I yelled back at the
top of my lungs so he could hear me..."And that goes double for you buddy!!!".

Today I was at the bike trail again on my Revive and some smarta** redneck kid, no older than 12 or
13 tells me as I rode by, "I'll give you $100 for that bike". I respond that it's not for sale and
to go to the bike shop. He yells back, "I don't want to". Well when I turned around to return in the
opposite direction, he made another remark about wanting to buy my bike for $100 bucks and I of
course responded, "It's not going to happen!". There were two more boys with him who got into a
verbal match with me too. Then one of them called me a name and my response was, "It takes one to
know one!". I simply rode away while all kinds of vile garbage was spewing out of their mouths. I
then gave them the "one finger salute" and held it way up high as I rode further away;-)

About two weeks ago while riding my ReBike in the same park, some pre-teens were on the side of the
trail when a girl suddenly calls me a "lazy man", due to my riding position on the ReBike. I said,
"Sorry but a lazy man rides a motorcycle". Of course there was a boy who had to be the "hero" and
try to act "macho". He tried to get into a shouting match with him but I simply indicated to him how
stupid he was for interfering. I just rode away after a few "select" words.

Does anyone here agree with me that one of the ideosyncrasies (spelling?) of riding a unique bicycle
is that you may be subject to the unwanted attention of some undesirable people? I surely don't want
to go back to riding an upright just to appease these idiots. What do you all think? How have you
handled similiar situations?

Edward Wong Orlando, FL

 

[Vcubed]

I guess I'm lucky in where I live, Edward. In southern New Mexico if you ride low you're very cool. What makes me uncomfortable is getting approving hand signs from the West Side gang as I pedal through the neighborhood on my way to my favorite ride.

 

[Bentbiker]

that crapola is aggrivating. it goes in streaks for me, friday's the worse. somepeople smile and
admire, seems younger males, and females in general appreciate it. It's not macho enough for some
guys [especially uprwrong bike riders] It does "chap my ass" though, and give them a good, "your
mommy likes riding it" or a blast on an air zound if you get behind them.

Edward Wong wrote:
> Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
> your riding session? I mean I commute on my bent everyday and will get at least one dumb remark or
> a horn honking from some ignorant motorist out on the streets. That's part of the territory so to
> speak and have accepted that long ago. Now, I must also put up with idiots whenever I go for a
> pleasure ride as well. Take yesterday for example. I was on my way to the bike trail in the early
> evening and just a couple of hundred yards before the trail head, some joker going the opposite
> lane driving a dark blue imported car sticks his head out the window and yells, "You're so
> stupid!". I wonder who or what pulled this jerk's chain to verbally assault me like that. I yelled
> back at the top of my lungs so he could hear me..."And that goes double for you buddy!!!".
>
> Today I was at the bike trail again on my Revive and some smarta** redneck kid, no older than 12
> or 13 tells me as I rode by, "I'll give you $100 for that bike". I respond that it's not for sale
> and to go to the bike shop. He yells back, "I don't want to". Well when I turned around to return
> in the opposite direction, he made another remark about wanting to buy my bike for $100 bucks and
> I of course responded, "It's not going to happen!". There were two more boys with him who got into
> a verbal match with me too. Then one of them called me a name and my response was, "It takes one
> to know one!". I simply rode away while all kinds of vile garbage was spewing out of their mouths.
> I then gave them the "one finger salute" and held it way up high as I rode further away;-)
>
> About two weeks ago while riding my ReBike in the same park, some pre-teens were on the side of
> the trail when a girl suddenly calls me a "lazy man", due to my riding position on the ReBike. I
> said, "Sorry but a lazy man rides a motorcycle". Of course there was a boy who had to be the
> "hero" and try to act "macho". He tried to get into a shouting match with him but I simply
> indicated to him how stupid he was for interfering. I just rode away after a few "select" words.
>
> Does anyone here agree with me that one of the ideosyncrasies (spelling?) of riding a unique
> bicycle is that you may be subject to the unwanted attention of some undesirable people? I surely
> don't want to go back to riding an upright just to appease these idiots. What do you all think?
> How have you handled similiar situations?
>
> Edward Wong Orlando, FL

 

[Ez Biker :-\)]

Yep Edward, we get that down here in South Florida too. This yuppie looking dude (Trying to show off
to his yuppie girlfriend) blurted sarcastically out to me, as I was riding along the beach, "Hey sit
up!" I responded, BLOW ME! And kept going... <Laughter> EZ Biker Pompano Beach, Fl.
(Bacchetta Aero Pilot)

"bentbiker" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> that crapola is aggrivating. it goes in streaks for me, friday's the worse. somepeople smile and
> admire, seems younger males, and females in general appreciate it.

 

[Denny Voorhees]

Yeah, it's aggrevating, but hardly worth gettin' the shorts in a bunch ya know. Personally I just
wave and act handicapped. I'm pretty sure I'm having more fun than they are, and I know for a fact
who my father is, and that he and my mother weren't related. Those folks probably aren't so sure.
Life is too short, gotta ride. Denny in Sayre, Pa "Bent but not Broken" "bentbiker"
<[email protected]> wrote in message ? I surely don't
> > want to go back to riding an upright just to appease these idiots. What do you all think? How
> > have you handled similiar situations?
> >
> > Edward Wong Orlando, FL

 

[Randy N.]

That works well for me, but I *am* handicapped. I get a lot more positive feedback than neg. But
that really has changed around here in the last year or so. Kansas City used to be an awful place as
far as harrassment goes. The jerks that do remain are, however, far lousier than last year's jerks.

I keep thinking that if I just took down their number, tracked them down later and garotted them
with an old innertube, that the rest of their droogs would get the hint. It's a good plan, but I
just don't have the spare time to put it into effect.

Randy N.

Denny Voorhees wrote:
> Yeah, it's aggrevating, but hardly worth gettin' the shorts in a bunch ya know. Personally I just
> wave and act handicapped. I'm pretty sure I'm having more fun than they are, and I know for a fact
> who my father is, and that he and my mother weren't related. Those folks probably aren't so sure.
> Life is too short, gotta ride. Denny in Sayre, Pa "Bent but not Broken" "bentbiker"
> <[email protected]> wrote in message ? I surely don't
>
>>>want to go back to riding an upright just to appease these idiots. What do you all think? How
>>>have you handled similiar situations?
>>>
>>>Edward Wong Orlando, FL
>>

 

[Shwackman]

>What do you all think? How have you >handled similiar situations?
Hi Ed. I know this is hard to do, but as far as passing traffic goes, it's best not to look up at
them. I have been commuting for years,and still remember many encounters from long ago, when I
used to look up and "respond" in one way or another. If you just let it go, it will pass out of
your mind much quicker, which is better for you in the long run. I'm not big on "bike trails"
maybe it's worse on those....enjoy your new bike

 

[Fraser]

On 20 Sep 2003 17:01:34 -0700, [email protected] (Edward Wong) wrote:

>Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
>your riding session?

I'm hardly an expert Edward, I've only had the bent for five days now and every ride has
been done to comments, both positive and negative. I've gone with the attitude that a big
smile and friendly wave is the best way to handle it.

The assholes who are being derogatory get a big smile and wave and I think my reaction stuns
them. They either think I'm deaf or an idiot and seem to let the matter rest.

The positive comments get the same reaction . . . but deservedly so.

Yes, I'd prefer people just mind thier own business, but . . .

 

[watsonglenn]

I was wondering if I was the only one. I just got my Trek Recumbent this summer and its funny how many people feel the need to tell me what they think, good and bad. What can you do? As long as they don't throw rocks I will try to ignore them.

 

[Zippy The Pinhe]

On 20 Sep 2003 17:01:34 -0700, [email protected] (Edward Wong) wrote:

>Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
>your riding session? ...sticks his head out the window and yells, "You're so stupid!". Today I was
>at the bike trail again on my Revive and some smarta** redneck kid, no older than 12 or 13 tells me
>as I rode by, "I'll give you $100 for that bike".

Generally I stop the bike, get off it, slam it to the ground, hook my thumbs behind my belt and spit
a stream of tobacco juice in their face.

I then shout: "WHAT did you say?"

If they're stupid enough to repeat it, I break off their head and **** down their windpipe. And
then, if I'm in a particularly bad mood, I hurt them.

It generally only happens two or three times a day. It does make it a little hard to concentrate.

--
Why are there no Dental Ethicists?

 

[Rorschandt]

[email protected] (Edward Wong) wrote in news:[email protected]:

> Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
> your riding session?

I am quite sorry to say that what you describe is people. There is a thing anthropologists
call "tribal mentality". It used to be a social mechanism to keep a tribe together,
behavioural norms and all that. It is sort of instinctual. Now when people see you doing
something outside what they might percieve as acceptable norms(riding bents or wearing a
colorful shirt), they criticize, insult, threaten, whatever. The sub-conscius idea is to get
you to behave like "everybody else". It was probably a tactic from long ago when population
levels were low, and tribal cooperation and harmony was needed just to survive. I would like
to congratulate you Ed, as it seems you have evolved past tribal mentality. (^: Somedays I
get the good comments, others I get the ****. Sometimes it seems I get what I expect. Last
week, I was on my bike at a traffic light, and a guy in the car next to me was mumbling
something as he glanced at me. Nasty I thought. Just as he turned the corner, I heard him
say, "...that is so cool..."

Rorschandt

"All we see and seem, is but a dream."~ Edgar Allen Poe

 

[Mark Leuck]

"Edward Wong" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
> your riding session? I mean I commute on my bent everyday and will get at least one dumb remark or
> a horn honking from some ignorant motorist out on the streets. That's part of the territory so to
> speak and have accepted that long ago. Now, I must also put up with idiots whenever I go for a
> pleasure ride as well. Take yesterday for example. I was on my way to the bike trail in the early
> evening and just a couple of hundred yards before the trail head, some joker going the opposite
> lane driving a dark blue imported car sticks his head out the window and yells, "You're so
> stupid!". I wonder who or what pulled this jerk's chain to verbally assault me like that. I yelled
> back at the top of my lungs so he could hear me..."And that goes double for you buddy!!!".

I think about the only negative thing I've heard so far is some lady saying it wasn't a good idea
for me to pass her, but she was driving 20 mph so I didn't have much choice

 

[Hwadler]

Sounds like a maturity problem or some pent up anger, and I'm not sure whose.

I've been riding a DF for almost three years and my Giro for three weeks with no problem. Lot of
cool bike remarks. Sometimes what we think is a rude remark may be someone else's dry or misplaced
sense of humor.

I just smile and wave.

Herman

--
Web site: www.wadler.org Email: [email protected]

Edward Wong wrote:
> Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
> your riding session? I mean I commute on my bent everyday and will get at least one dumb remark or
> a horn honking from some ignorant motorist out on the streets. That's part of the territory so to
> speak and have accepted that long ago. Now, I must also put up with idiots whenever I go for a
> pleasure ride as well.

>
> Edward Wong Orlando, FL

 

[Edward Wong]

Two things I forgot to explain. My comment regarding insults, horn blowing, etc. from motorists
while commuting are rare. I didn't mean to imply that it happens every day. Maybe once or twice a
week and some times I'll get lucky and go through an entire week without an incident.

The same with the incidents during my recreational rides. Most of the comments I get are positive.
In fact, minutes before my little episode with those disrespectful kids, I stopped to talk to a very
nice couple who showed interest in my Revive. They were most pleasant and wanted to know more. I
took it upon myself to carry some business cards from the bike shop with me and gave them one. They
thanked me for taking time off my riding to chat and giving them the business card.

Several minutes AFTER my encounter, two hispanic teenagers on MTBs were waiting for a light to
change with me and made very positive comments and were most excited. They were very polite and made
the observation as to how comfortable I was. In fact one of them referred to my Revive as sort of a
pedal powered Harley while their uprights were "crouch rockets";-)

When I put it on a balance, I still have faith in humanity;-)

Edward Wong Orlando, FL

 

[Ian]

Edward Wong must be edykated coz e writed:
>
> Does anyone here agree with me that one of the ideosyncrasies (spelling?) of riding a unique
> bicycle is that you may be subject to the unwanted attention of some undesirable people? I surely
> don't want to go back to riding an upright just to appease these idiots. What do you all think?
> How have you handled similiar situations?
>
> Edward Wong Orlando, FL
In my experience, it happens a lot on two wheels but three wheels are always cool. Very odd.

--
Ian

http://www.catrike.co.uk

 

[Ian]

Vcubed must be edykated coz e writed:

> I guess I'm lucky in where I live, Edward. In southern New Mexico if you ride low you're very
> cool. What makes me uncomfortable is getting approving hand signs from the West Side gang as I
> pedal through the neighborhood on my way to my favorite ride.
>
>
Don't complain, they shoot people they don't like.

--
Ian

http://www.catrike.co.uk

 

[Ian]

Randy N. must be edykated coz e writed:
>
> I keep thinking that if I just took down their number, tracked them down later and garotted them
> with an old innertube, that the rest of their droogs would get the hint. It's a good plan, but I
> just don't have the spare time to put it into effect.
>
You are better off using a tyre wire.

--
Ian

http://www.catrike.co.uk

 

[Ian]

Edward Wong must be edykated coz e writed:

>
> Several minutes AFTER my encounter, two hispanic teenagers on MTBs were waiting for a light to
> change with me and made very positive comments and were most excited. They were very polite and
> made the observation as to how comfortable I was. In fact one of them referred to my Revive as
> sort of a pedal powered Harley while their uprights were "crouch rockets";-)
>
But hispanic folk know style when they see it.

--
Ian

http://www.catrike.co.uk

 

[Jh]

Good advice - These people are looking to get a reaction from you - and are generally unaffected by
witty comebacks (they don't understand them). I find it best to get them out of your life as quickly
as possible with a quick smile and a nod.

 

[Dave Miller]

On 20 Sep 2003 17:01:34 -0700, [email protected] (Edward Wong) wrote:

>Do any of you get unwanted attention from jerks who have nothing better to do than to try to ruin
>your riding session? I mean I commute on my bent everyday and will get at least one dumb remark or
>a horn honking from some ignorant motorist out on the streets. That's part of the territory so to
>speak and have accepted that long ago. Now, I must also put up with idiots whenever I go for a
>pleasure ride as well. Take yesterday for example. I was on my way to the bike trail in the early
>evening and just a couple of hundred yards before the trail head, some joker going the opposite
>lane driving a dark blue imported car sticks his head out the window and yells, "You're so
>stupid!". I wonder who or what pulled this jerk's chain to verbally assault me like that. I yelled
>back at the top of my lungs so he could hear me..."And that goes double for you buddy!!!".
>
.......
>
>Edward Wong Orlando, FL

You are all invited to Greenville, SC. Been riding just about every day for years with only two
incedents - both minor.

For that matter - I ride in all kinds of places and states (a lot of Florida included, A1A, etc)
)and have not been treated badly - ........I don't THINK I'm deaf ...nope , I hear the keybord, and
I'm sure I'm not blind - just lucky !