Explaining winter biking

[PamNY]

I think I posted this last year; it's probably going to be an annual topic for me. I live in an apartment building (high rise) so the bike and I go in and out through the lobby.

Every single bike ride begins and ends with "You're going for a BIKE RIDE? In THIS weather?" I am so tired of explaining/responding. It's all in a friendly spirit, but still. I've started pointing out that people go skiing in winter.

Not surprisingly, the only two people who react to me with equanimity are a current and former triathlete. From them I get attagirls, even though I'm only going 16 miles or so.

Pam

[Kalidurga]

Don't explain. Just say "Yup!" and go on your way.

Caveat: I'm one of those people who think you're crazy, even though I understand why you do it

[tulip]

How about looking at them, looking at your bike, looking back at them and saying, "Obviously," or "Sure looks that way."

If they ask you why, say "Because I can."

I understand why you do it, although since I don't have my commute anymore, I'm much less apt to do it. But when I had my commute, I rode into the 20s. Below 20, however, and I didn't.

[GLC1968]

I would just say "yep!" and go about your business. If they ask why, I like tulip's answer or just a simple "why not?".

Let em think you're nuts...it's more fun that way!

[lph]

How about "Oh, yeah! (big smile) And I don't even have to scrape ice off my windshield!"

What I don't get is all the people asking me - in Norway, where everybody, toddlers, teenagers, adults and grandmothers (especially grandmothers) goes xc skiing, it's considered downright unpatriotic to not like skiing - asking me "gee, isn't that awfully cold?"

There are a few differences between dressing for skiing and biking, but they're minuscule.

[pfunk12]

It does get old though...doesn't it, Pam? I used to hear it daily when I was a long-distance competitive runner. "You're going to run in this weather?!" (insert any kind of weather imaginable). And like you, I get the same thing when I commute to work on my bike. I usually tell people that I am not cold at all. In fact, I'm sweating and happy! And they are cold and miserable. But I agree with the other posters - a quick (and cheerful), "Yep!"