Guessing car-free & cycling- he was right

While making at a stop at my favourite Mediterranean bakery for a snack of zaatar (on flatbread), a pistacho phyllo rose pastry, etc., one of the gentleman was having his break.

A labourer as evidenced by the paint, his hardened skin and hands, work clothes, mentioned he used to go cycling around in the city's paths. Then he said to me, nodding his head, "You don't have a car, right? You cycle around? That's good."

Surprised, I asked what made him think that and confirmed that I was car-free. He said by the way how I dressed, I looked ready to cycle.

Now I was wearing spandex tights, simple sports jacket, helmet, cycling shoes etc. Nothing really matched in terms of clothing colour. I gave up a long time ago in terms of colour coordination for cycling. Whatever is clean, right for the weather was good enough for me. It began with freezing cold temp. in the morning, so I dressed accordingly. My bike is a hybrid with the 2 obvious panniers I had.

Anyway, I have this feeling he must have done enough cycling, even as a recreational cyclist, to detect what it means to have a cycling oriented lifestyle. And what it means to be "prepared", cycling for transportation.

The helmet's a dead give away. I always get asked if I cycle when I wear one into a shop. Sometimes I really don't like giving an in to strangers, so I'll take off the helmet, but even then, I often get strange looks because of the cycling clothes. The monster in me thinks I should stick my tongue out at these people for staring. :p

It is different when the other person is a cyclist. Then there's often an instant bond. But when it's just some kook who thinks he can talk to you because you are obviously a kook too, (as confirmed by the helmet and weird attire :D) then, it's kind of annoying.

We stopped for gas on the way home from BikeMo yesterday. The gas station is on a popular bicycling route (but not on the BikeMO route). I'm 90% sure the attendant is NOT a cyclist, but he could recognize a cyclist, because he asked me how far I'd ridden. He's not exactly Sherlock Holmes--my bike was on the car, I was wearing bike shorts and a cycling jacket. :P Still, he knew the right question to ask, and he was friendly about it, so it's clear that here's one person catering to the automotive industry who gets that cyclists supports the economy!

Not to put a damper on this, but my creep alarms are going off just a little teensy bit.

The way you were dressed would be evidence that you were out on a bike ride that day.

Him knowing that you were car-free could mean that he's seen you out and about, noticed you cycling at least more than once.

Not a bad thing, in and of itself, but, I don't know. If the later is the case, I would be a little wary if you see him around again.

I could be wrong. I'm a weirdo magnet, so I'm probably just jaded.