REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

dealing with weirdos?

4018 Views 63 Replies 40 Participants Last post by pwrtrainer, Jan 12, 2010

gage

Discussion Starter · Jan 8, 2010 (Edited)

so now that i've upgraded my bike - i get a lot more attention from everyone including the weirdos.

This category for me consists of anyone that makes me feel weird
-asking me how much my bike is
-asking to ride it
-asking me any weird question about my bike
and just plain is skeezy. It's one thing when the single mom + kid asks some questions and another from a guy riding a $50 trek that's been sipping on schnapps all day and looks like he wants to rape children (aka UNSAVORY PEOPLE).

My question is.. have you ever felt this tension dealing with someone while you are out?

i guess i'm worried about someone trying to jack my bike while i am around. I was curious what you do to prepare yourself for that situation or if anyone has ever been in that type of situation.

A quick input on answering the how much was your bike question would be nice (i usually defer to some other topic).

I do like to give people the benefit of doubt that they are just curious.

Looking forward to hearing your responses. //g

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kaboose

· #2 · Jan 8, 2010

gage said:
... but riding a ~$5k bike is what it is.

//g

oh boy, now you've done it. this will sure bring out the trolls and the flammers! get ready!

(or maybe not. tis a slow friday afternoon...:yawn: )

greengreer

· #3 · Jan 8, 2010

Sounds like you are being a bit defensive- mountain biking is not a sport exclusive to people who can afford to spend thousands of dollars on their equipment. Every cyclist should be an advocate for their sport, and should try and be as friendly and helpful to anyone they meet, despite their knowledge on bikes or their commitment to the sport.
That being said I have run into some people in the woods who just gave me a bad vibe, on and off the bike. That is when I much prefer to be with my bike so I can put distance between us.

gage

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 8, 2010

i by no means am trying to sound pompous just trying to see how other people protect their bikes... it is probably my 3rd most expensive purchase/investment for myself and don't want to lose it

//g

gage

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 8, 2010

greengreer said:
Every cyclist should be an advocate for their sport, and should try and be as friendly and helpful to anyone they meet, despite their knowledge on bikes or their commitment to the sport.

like i said i have never not talked and answered questions of anyone that has asked me.. but i'm talking about dealing with unsavory people. //g

Blatant

· #6 · Jan 8, 2010

You must look like a victim. Or you give off a "come talk to me" vibe. In all my years of biking, I've never had a single person approach me and ask how much my bike cost, etc.

greengreer

· #7 · Jan 8, 2010

Why are you worried about someone stealing your bike out of your hands?
I see two options- ride off quickly, or use the 30lbs of steel and aluminum at your disposal as a weapon. Also one of my roadie friends once had a heated altercation with an a$$hole in a truck, who proceeded to take a swing at my buddy who then ducked and then headbutted him in the face with his helmet. The guy ended up with a broken nose and ego and my friend went about his ride.

longhairmike

· #8 · Jan 8, 2010

if youre riding fast enough, no one will be able to stop you to ask questions. or you can get some big 70s headphones and pretend like youre listening to music and ignore them.
your weakness was that you stopped for the single mom.

Heated altercations with a$$holes can generally be avoided unless you ate Thai the night before...

gage

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 8, 2010

@greengreer- much better response.. just was curious to see if anyone else has dealt with someone trying to bikejack them.

@Blatant- i think that "come talk to me" vibe is probably it..

//g

Shredr

· #10 · Jan 8, 2010

gage

Let's start this right. A nice pic of said bike is in order...

It sounds like you ride when there are many "questionable people", i.e., the Inner City? Downtown? Big City parks? These places are total freak magnets!

Why do weirdos always seem to hang out in small groups, which make seem even more menacing & potentially threatening? I feel your pain...

I have a custom-painted 5K bike too & I only take breaks away from the crowds...you will always attract strange characters where there's lots of pavement, park trails & park benches.

I was in the USMC so I don't have a prob. They taught us how to snap necks...

My solution: Just keep riding!

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clockwork

· #11 · Jan 8, 2010

I was going to say start riding the trails and not the roads. Trails usually weed out most weirdos.

Shredr

· #12 · Jan 8, 2010

Last resort: Concealed permit & .22 pistol...or move.

tiffanyinanthem

· #13 · Jan 8, 2010

Interesting situation.

I’ve never had anyone come up to me and ask me those things. I’m curious what trails you’re riding so I can avoid that area!

Also, if I’m riding by myself I never stop. I rarely stop anyway, but I’m more conscious when I’m out by myself. When I’m solo, trail users get a nod and or a hi, but I won’t stop and have a conversation with anyone that I don’t know. Sounds paranoid I know, but its just one of those things you never want to be an easy target so I pretty much just keep moving.

Tiff

gage

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 8, 2010

clockwork said:
I was going to say start riding the trails and not the roads. Trails usually weed out most weirdos.

ya most of this is on my ride to and from the trail i'm actually riding. //g

G

· #15 · Jan 8, 2010 (Edited)

wow

They're not looking at your bike they're looking at you.

gage

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 8, 2010

2

Shredr-

and one in it's home environment

my baby

//g

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bgfthntr

· #17 · Jan 8, 2010

greengreer said:
Sounds like you are being a bit defensive- mountain biking is not a sport exclusive to people who can afford to spend thousands of dollars on their equipment. Every cyclist should be an advocate for their sport, and should try and be as friendly and helpful to anyone they meet, despite their knowledge on bikes or their commitment to the sport.
That being said I have run into some people in the woods who just gave me a bad vibe, on and off the bike. That is when I much prefer to be with my bike so I can put distance between us.

+1:thumbsup:

pauldelamancha

· #18 · Jan 8, 2010

Well, since my mtn bike is slapped together from various parts it is not much of a thief magnet but I do get questioned about the value of my other bikes when I am on the bus or stoplights or stuff. I don't have a good answer to this. I hate telling certain people how much my road bike is worth or even my folding bike because you never know who is innocently curious and who has other intentions. I'm interested in other replies. I guess you could respond by telling them you'd like to know their yearly salary before answering the question?

azdog

· #19 · Jan 8, 2010

When I saw this post I thought you were talking about Kavurider. I have the same bike and have never been asked those questions on the trail except from those eager to wanting to know how that feels or why my front tire is so big, or why my gloves are so white. Only when I roll up to circle k with my bright red demo in the back do I get questions.

tls36

· #20 · Jan 8, 2010

What are you riding, I never get asked that kind of stuff-and only let friends(competant responsible riders) ride my bike. Post up a pic............

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