Good ride w/short rant!

[Running Mommy]

Yeah Bikerhen, it happens to me too! I always wear my camelbak because I can not only carry my water, but my pump, spare tube, levers etc. in it. I know it's not the most aerodynamic, but it works for me. I can't tell you how many guys have told me that I'm wasting my time on a tri bike if I'm gonna use a camelbak. It negates the aerodynamics of the bike.
HELL! My WEIGHT negates the aerodynamics!!
But yeah, I get comments all the time. Esp. by what I call the "regulars". The guys I see all the time. They feel the need to tell me that I'm looking so much stronger than last year, and that I should just "keep it up" and I'll "get there"... Umm, I know this is mean't as a compliment, but Get WHERE???!! Where do they think I'm trying to "get to"???
It's like the lady I saw one day when I was out running. She asked if running was "helping". I was confused so I said "umm, I'm sorry. Helping?" and she said "You know. Helping to lose weight". My retort went something like this "I'm not training to lose weight. I'm training for an Ironman Triathlon. But yes, it does help to lose weight I suppose". She looked embarrased- as she should have been!! That's like asking a stranger when the baby is due!!!
Sigh.... I dunno. Just people not thinking before speaking I suppose?? - Or maybe I just have a complex. Living in the world of endurance athletes as a fat girl will certainly give one a complex!
Personally I smile and just say "hi" or "nice morning huh" or some other generic greeting. I only ask a stopped cyclist if they need anything if they are stopped with an obvious mechanical. Though I did see a girl melting once under a tree, so I stopped to make sure she was ok. She had run out of water, so I siphoned some out of my camelbak for her and pointed her in the direction of the closest water fountain (I know them all up here. As well as potties ). I also gave her some nuun tablets to put in her water. But if someone is just stopped I assume they are resting. I stop to rest, readjust chamois, etc. too. I think most people do at some point in their rides.

[DarcyInOregon]

It's like the lady I saw one day when I was out running. She asked if running was "helping". I was confused so I said "umm, I'm sorry. Helping?" and she said "You know. Helping to lose weight". My retort went something like this "I'm not training to lose weight. I'm training for an Ironman Triathlon. But yes, it does help to lose weight I suppose". She looked embarrased- as she should have been!! That's like asking a stranger when the baby is due!!!
Sigh.... I dunno. Just people not thinking before speaking I suppose?? - Or maybe I just have a complex. Living in the world of endurance athletes as a fat girl will certainly give one a complex!

Runningmommy, I looked at the photos you have posted, where you gave the link in your threads about your recent Ironman endeavors, and I can tell you I think you are an amazing looking woman. If anyone thinks otherwise, it is their problem for not understanding the physical and mental strength that is required to train for your sport, and be assured, you can out-swim them, out-run them, and out-cycle them. And on the inside, I bet you are healthier, with solid bones, superb muscle density, and with healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. In other words, you will never need to worry about getting osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension or heart disease.

I don't mean to side-track the thread. It is just that females with extra body fat can still be fit and healthy and do incredible things because it is about eating right, moving the body and burning the fat off in the middle. A person can be in the desired weight range, but eating the wrong stuff, sitting on the couch, have thin bones and soft muscles, and end up dead from heart disease in their 60s.

To get back on track, when I pass other cyclists I just say Hi or Nice bike or Beautiful day, no matter what sex or age the cyclist is, or what type of bike they are pedaling. When other cyclists pass me, it is mostly Like your bike or Hi or Doing good.

Darcy