Making time to ride

[Lakerider]

Today while I was riding I stopped and chatted briefly with someone that works near where I ride so I see him quite often. Many times he'll ask me how far I've ridden today. Today he made the comment, "That's a good way to kill time ... and stay in shape." I didn't take any of my time to explain to him that I never "kill time". Time is much too precious to "kill" or "waste"! I just answered, "Yes, it's great exercise" and I kept on pedaling.

I work hard to "make" time to ride! That's not always easy, but well worth it!

[IFjane]

I can't imagine what I would say if I had been you!! I, too, think time is way too precious to "kill". I wish I had time to ride during the week these days but the workday is way too long. I am already logging miles on the trainer during the week and hoping for a DRY weekend in order to ride on the road.

You did a wonderful job of ignoring his comment and focusing on the positive. Keep pedaling and don't sweat the folks who have no clue.

[shootingstar]

You did a wonderful job of ignoring his comment and focusing on the positive. Keep pedaling and don't sweat the folks who have no clue.

+1.
People who make comments that seem to infer exercise time for 1-2 hrs. daily, is really unimportant time ,need to look to their own physical and mental health first, before saying anything in the future.

If I was truly killing/wasting time, I would be spending whole days cycling during the week. But it makes no sense to do that: life is not all cycling. One just needs some exercise daily in balance with everything else in life.

[staceysue]

LOL

I have to sacrifice other things I'd like to do so that I can cycle, but it's worth it to enjoy going out and killing time on my bicycle. It may be healthy, but it sure feels good to ride it!

[Lakerider]

You did a wonderful job of ignoring his comment and focusing on the positive. Keep pedaling and don't sweat the folks who have no clue.

My thought was, "He just doesn't get it!"
His comment made me sad for him - and happy for myself because I also thought, "I do get it!

...and away I pedaled!

[nscrbug]

LOL

I have to sacrifice other things I'd like to do so that I can cycle, but it's worth it to enjoy going out and killing time on my bicycle. It may be healthy, but it sure feels good to ride it!

X100!!! My other love/hobby before I got heavily into cycling, was riding my "other" bike...my Harley. But sadly, my Harley has been parked for most of the summer in order for me to get in long rides on the weekends with my hubby. Something had to give, because unfortunately...there just aren't enough hours in the day to ride BOTH of my bikes. But I haven't given up completely on motorcycling...managed to get in a 200-mile fall colors ride a few Sundays ago. Had to give up my Sunday morning bike ride in order to do it, but it was well worth it. Felt absolutely glorious to be out cruising around on my Harley on a beautiful, crisp fall day.

[staceysue]

X100!!! My other love/hobby before I got heavily into cycling, was riding my "other" bike...my Harley. But sadly, my Harley has been parked for most of the summer in order for me to get in long rides on the weekends with my hubby. Something had to give, because unfortunately...there just aren't enough hours in the day to ride BOTH of my bikes. But I haven't given up completely on motorcycling...managed to get in a 200-mile fall colors ride a few Sundays ago. Had to give up my Sunday morning bike ride in order to do it, but it was well worth it. Felt absolutely glorious to be out cruising around on my Harley on a beautiful, crisp fall day.

LOL - I didn't give up a Harley, I just gave up cleaning my house! ROFLOL justkiddingofcourse

[nscrbug]

LOL - I didn't give up a Harley, I just gave up cleaning my house! ROFLOL justkiddingofcourse

Ha ha ha...well yeah, I gave up housework years ago!

[Lakerider]

Ha ha ha...well yeah, I gave up housework years ago!

Housework will always be there! If you can ride - I say, "RIDE!"

[Miranda]

Good for you on being a 'bigger person' and just riding on. Ugh--I've had some idiotic comments like that too from non-cycling peeps that just don't get it. Just makes my blood boil. I need a little more work on turning the other cheeck.

I was at a conference once (non exercise related, ironically), and the presenter happened to be very much into fitness etc. The interesting remark made was something like "exercise is not an option, it is a necessity of life".

Seriously... when I do not get my happy endorphine fix, it is nothing but this negative spiral in so many ways. It took me a lot of years to give myself permission to make it a priority. Part also due to other people not understanding my needs, and having the exact same attitude of the man you passed on your route.

How much time do people blow away sitting on the couch watcing tv? Smoking/drinking? etc. To ME, those are things that are a counter-productive waste.

Good post... keep pedaling.

[sfa]

You know, while it sounds like a really ignorant comment, most people speak from their own experience--if he commented that it was a good way to kill time, chances are he's one of these people who DOES have a lot of time on his hands. While it's a foreign concept to many people who never have enough hours in the day, I see people and know people who are like that, and I think they must be lonely when they pretty much just go to work and then go home and have long evenings and weekends with nothing much going on. I don't know if they lack imagination or drive, or if they have difficulties connecting with people, or are afraid of new things, or if they just value their time alone, but I would tend to feel sorry for someone who makes a comment like this rather than being defensive or critical.

Sarah

[Kalidurga]

There's also the chance that the guy didn't mean anything offensive. I'm convinced that people often say things that seem stupid or ignorant without having any clue of how their words come across. They're just trying to make conversation without putting much thought into it. That particular comment doesn't seem like anything worth letting your blood boil over.

[Lakerider]

There's also the chance that the guy didn't mean anything offensive.

I'm sure he didn't mean to be offensive and I didn't take it that way. He has always been very nice when I talk to him and tells me how great I do biking. If he had chosen his words differently I think he would have said, "That a good way to spend your time."

I agree we spend our time. We each have to "budget" our time and "spend" it wisely. I view my time biking as "investing" in myself and my well being.

Today it's raining so other things are getting my much needed attention today. I guess it's good some days are rained out!