Your Cycling Supporters

[Geonz]

Hmmm... my friends are pretty supportive, especially when it comes to making sure I've got safety gear Most of my friends are the ones I met in the bike club, though.
Work is at least tolerant- though da boss lady emphasized that she did not want to see my bicycle in the office (it's a big computer lab) once students were coming (not that I'd have parked it there then anyway). It is sort of a "well, we want to encourage diversity" thing, though... it's not *normal* behavior. There aren't any kind of facilities - a pretty basic bike rack out in the weather... and the gym showers ... I don't know, maybe it's me but I have never gotten hot water from them so I gave up.
There are lots of fellow cycling nuts around here... and in general, the citizens like the idea of people riding bikes instead of cars, even if they don't "get it." It's sort of like being a monk or yoga guru or something - they don't think they could do it, but they admire it . If only I could convince them that it's a very feasible conversion... and I try, one bike trip at a time...

[GLC1968]

We must remember that our parents were raised in another generation, a very different time when bikes were old fashioned and vaguely unladylike, cars were modern and the preferred mode -a symbol of success. Women were disapproved of if they spent a lot of time galavanting about for their own benefit. You were supposed to be there at home, hot dinner on the table when children came home from school and husband came home from work. Improving yourself meant learning to sew, baking for the church bake sale, taking a shorthand course, or joining the PTA.
I can imagine how dismayed some older people might be at their daughter spending lots of money and energy focusing on a pursuit that to thme may seem selfish and frivolous. We should try to make some allowances for their outdated viewpoints, while still helping them to "get with the times".

And in that 'other generation' my mom didn't quite fit the mold! I think you are making some assumtions here that don't necessarily apply to all of us whose parents don't get it. My parents definitely don't have outdated viewpoints at all. My mom is HUGELY supportive of my athletic pursuits, my career (in a male dominated field), my independence, my "late in life" marriage, my lack of desire for children...she just doesn't get biking. Neither of them do...it's so odd to me when they are so open, supportive and forward-thinking in so many other areas.

[paigette]

GLC1968--

Rock on with the late in life marriage! To this day my parents' friends continually remind them that they married 'old'. Geez, they were only in their 30's, but a lot of their friends have grandkids my age!!!