Making time to 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!