I know what you mean lph but with some people, especially with some men who I don't know and don't care to know much more about them personally, to talk about cycling or a sport is safer.

After all I don't have children, we don't get into home renovations, we don't have pets..

And news must be neutral, not political, etc. So that leaves topics of food, restaurants, vacations, weather, what-did-you-this-weekend (which for a cyclist, they know how to answer this one...)

I'm interested in all sorts of social issues, but that's a tough one to make any small talk without being misunderstood for complex matters.

I can't imagine talking about my interest in art, unless it was someone else who had same interest.

No wonder, then how easily cycling can become the new "golf" at work in some organizations/work groups.