Bicycle badassity (how I was shamed by a 80+ year old gentleman)

[marz1982]

I was driving in my gas-guzzling car yesterday to do some big grocery shopping, and up this really long, moderately steep hill came an elderly gentleman, riding on his bicycle.  He had leather panniers at the back, his helmet on, and struggling up in his probably 3 gear or less bicycle.

I was thoroughly shamed!  Need to get my bicycle sorted out so that I can do some grocery shopping with it!

[destron]

Get your bicycle sorted out THIS WEEKEND and you can participate in the April Anti-automobil Biking Challenge!

It is an investment well worth making. If it costs you $100 to fix your bike, you only need to go 200-300 miles to make your money back. Plus, you will be fitter, healthier and happier.

So far this month I have biked 67.5 more miles than I have driven and I'm not even a badass. You should see some of the miles some people do.

[BlueMR2]

I finally quit being a wussypants this week and started walking to the bank and the other not quite so close, but still "local" stores (that are across the express way).

I'd love to bike to them as it would save a ton of time, but there's just no place to lock up a bike at any of the stores on the other side.  It's truly a car dominated culture here, with minor provisions for people that walk (we have poor condition, but at least usable sidewalks on the busy roads), and NO provision for cyclists.  Has anyone had any success in promoting a cycling culture in their community?  What does it take?

[GuitarStv]

I finally quit being a wussypants this week and started walking to the bank and the other not quite so close, but still "local" stores (that are across the express way).

I'd love to bike to them as it would save a ton of time, but there's just no place to lock up a bike at any of the stores on the other side.  It's truly a car dominated culture here, with minor provisions for people that walk (we have poor condition, but at least usable sidewalks on the busy roads), and NO provision for cyclists.  Has anyone had any success in promoting a cycling culture in their community?  What does it take?

There's always somewhere to lock up if you're creative enough.  Benches, light poles, railings, gas fittings/pipes at the back of buildings, large planter boxes, garbage cans, etc.  You might have to walk a few feet after locking, it might require some creativity to lock up . . . but there is always something to lock to.

[lifejoy]

I finally quit being a wussypants this week and started walking to the bank and the other not quite so close, but still "local" stores (that are across the express way).

I'd love to bike to them as it would save a ton of time, but there's just no place to lock up a bike at any of the stores on the other side.  It's truly a car dominated culture here, with minor provisions for people that walk (we have poor condition, but at least usable sidewalks on the busy roads), and NO provision for cyclists.  Has anyone had any success in promoting a cycling culture in their community?  What does it take?

Bike with a friend and get em to watch your bike as you pop in and out of stores? Not ideal, I realize.

[BlueMR2]

I wasn't sure if chaining a bike to random immovable object was considered bad form or not.  I guess I'll give it a try with my really cheap mountain bike and see how it goes.  :-)

On the cycling with friends somewhere.  Well, I don't exactly have a lot of friends (avoiding all the expensive social rituals tends to eliminate a lot of them) and the ones that are left don't ride bikes.  :-)

[sheepstache]

I wasn't sure if chaining a bike to random immovable object was considered bad form or not.  I guess I'll give it a try with my really cheap mountain bike and see how it goes.  :-)

On the cycling with friends somewhere.  Well, I don't exactly have a lot of friends (avoiding all the expensive social rituals tends to eliminate a lot of them) and the ones that are left don't ride bikes.  :-)

I think it's fine.
1. Companies that are really anal about it will put up a sign saying not to do it.
2. Something has to be common for it to be a nuisance so people in a bike-unfriendly area will probably be surprised rather than annoyed to see a bike locked to something.
3. If they don't like how you've parked, it's not like they are going to blow up or ticket your bike.  More likely a security guard or somebody will try to speak to you in person about it.  And in those situations people are often as friendly to you as you are to them.
4. If you're talking about parking so you can go inside a store, don't forget you're a paying customer so they're quite happy to have you there however you got there.

Good luck!

[marz1982]

Get your bicycle sorted out THIS WEEKEND and you can participate in the April Anti-automobil Biking Challenge!
It is an investment well worth making. If it costs you $100 to fix your bike, you only need to go 200-300 miles to make your money back. Plus, you will be fitter, healthier and happier.
So far this month I have biked 67.5 more miles than I have driven and I'm not even a badass. You should see some of the miles some people do.

Thanks for the encouragement!  Bike is in great shape, I just need to buy a rack and fashion some bags, or get a trailer, to do my groceries.  I actually went to a free bike check a few weeks ago - local government is pushing cycling quite heavily and organised bicycle check events for the community - and scored some free stuff as well.

I went on an awesome ride down to the beach this afternoon - 5km/3miles round trip.  It was amazing and exhausting - terrible hills!  I laughed at some fancy pants slackers easing their cars down the hills to visit the beach, they were 20-30 year youngsters so had no excuse! So this time I was showing them up :)

On the way back, got totally soaked by a freak rain shower, it was glorious!

[GuitarStv]

Get your bicycle sorted out THIS WEEKEND and you can participate in the April Anti-automobil Biking Challenge!
It is an investment well worth making. If it costs you $100 to fix your bike, you only need to go 200-300 miles to make your money back. Plus, you will be fitter, healthier and happier.
So far this month I have biked 67.5 more miles than I have driven and I'm not even a badass. You should see some of the miles some people do.

Thanks for the encouragement!  Bike is in great shape, I just need to buy a rack and fashion some bags, or get a trailer, to do my groceries.  I actually went to a free bike check a few weeks ago - local government is pushing cycling quite heavily and organised bicycle check events for the community - and scored some free stuff as well.

I went on an awesome ride down to the beach this afternoon - 5km/3miles round trip.  It was amazing and exhausting - terrible hills!  I laughed at some fancy pants slackers easing their cars down the hills to visit the beach, they were 20-30 year youngsters so had no excuse! So this time I was showing them up :)

On the way back, got totally soaked by a freak rain shower, it was glorious!

Install some fenders.  The freak rain shower soaking gets less glorious when it's windy, hovering around freezing and you're 10 km from home.  Especially when the front wheel is throwing mud/slush up into your face . . .


:P

[marz1982]

To end this story in an epic fashion, I was cycling down to the library last week (similar distance to the grocery store in my original post).  I passed the same gentleman coming up in the opposite direction.  We shared a moment of recognition - he waved and I greeted him - and then we continued on our way.

:)

[JoshuaSpodek]

Thanks for the encouragement!  Bike is in great shape, I just need to buy a rack and fashion some bags, or get a trailer, to do my groceries.  I actually went to a free bike check a few weeks ago - local government is pushing cycling quite heavily and organised bicycle check events for the community - and scored some free stuff as well.

I went on an awesome ride down to the beach this afternoon - 5km/3miles round trip.  It was amazing and exhausting - terrible hills!  I laughed at some fancy pants slackers easing their cars down the hills to visit the beach, they were 20-30 year youngsters so had no excuse! So this time I was showing them up :)

On the way back, got totally soaked by a freak rain shower, it was glorious!

Whatever equipment you have, it's doubtlessly a world better quality than what most people in the world use. At this moment across Asia millions of people, many in their 80s, are riding their bikes up hills, in the rain, with big loads, etc.

I don't see the point in laughing at or insulting people in cars, even as a joke. Why not just ride the bike and enjoy it?

[Tiamat]

True, but they say car culture is catching up and overtaking bike culture in China. I myself just need to ride the bike a lot more often.

[GuitarStv]

I don't see the point in laughing at or insulting people in cars, even as a joke. Why not just ride the bike and enjoy it?

BUT THEY'RE ON MY ROADS!  :P