Cycling as conversation-starter

[shootingstar]

or fill empty air.

Over the yrs., there have been times in the workplace, where people who I don't know much at all, except by name, role, certain project we just end up talking about cycling.

Not because they cycle (much), but it's convenient, neutral topic to talk about. Like talking about the weather.

And when it's during a job interview at some point, it is nearly a relief for all parties as a light moment.

[bmccasland]

It's funny... there are people in my organization who are much higher on the food chain than me, that because of cycling I can tease to a certain extent. I suppose it would be the same thing if I played softball or volleyball in the city league with them - off campus and in jerseys no-one can tell your rank. And it is nice to talk about the up coming ride, or in my case, when I'm going to get to ride again.

[lph]

I can get a bit tired of this, to be honest. Because I bike a lot and run the company winter biking challenge, people think the only thing I'm interested in and can talk about is biking. Which is fine, but only fun if the other person actually is interested, not just trying to make smalltalk.

[shootingstar]

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.

[marni]

I was brought up not to talk about politics, sex, religion or morality in a mixed group. This leaves the weather, the food, and what the kids are doing.hat is somewhat gone as a topic, and since I am older now, the kids are grown up as are other people's kids so that is pretty much gone as a topic as well. The foibles of people biking and the vagaries of the ride are often the only bridge I have in social situations, especially since my other interests of Navajoo weaving and hand spinning fiber into yarn for weaving and knitting are even more obscure than most topics.

marni

[PamNY]

I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but I love starting conversations with other bikers in the park. Bikes are allowed in the restrooms at one park, and we all admire each other's stuff as we dry our hands.

I have lately been asking to pick up other people's bikes to see how much they weigh. Surprised at how well that has gone, and it leads to other chitchat.

[malkin]

At a cycling event today I was asked several times "Do you ride a lot?"
I know all these people were making small talk (very small) but I found myself stumbling around for an answer.

Compared to not riding at all, I guess I do ride a lot (except for when I don't).
Compared to professional riders and those ultralong distance riders, I ride only a little.

[redrhodie]

At a cycling event today I was asked several times "Do you ride a lot?"
I know all these people were making small talk (very small) but I found myself stumbling around for an answer.

Compared to not riding at all, I guess I do ride a lot (except for when I don't).
Compared to professional riders and those ultralong distance riders, I ride only a little.

Yeah, that's a strangely weird question when it comes from another cyclist. I was at the lbs, and someone (a customer) asked how many miles I ride in a year. I was a little taken aback. It felt almost like when someone asks how much you make.

[marni]

to which I have learned to reply "as many as I can" with a goofy grin. If the questioner persists or asks how many miles I shrug and say "what difference can it possibly make?"

Really, I will always be riding more than some people and less than others, and I do it for myself not for someone I might never meet again. Plus I would rather log 20 miles of good hard effort, smooth quality and safe riding than 40 miles of mindless noddling along.
The people who know me and know that I ride are aware of about how much I ride, and really it's not anyone's business but mine.

If worse comes to worse, I excuse myself and go urgently looking for something in some other part of the store, or if out on a ride, claim I can feel my muscles getting stiff and need to start riding again right now.

marni

[shootingstar]

At a cycling event today I was asked several times "Do you ride a lot?"
I know all these people were making small talk (very small) but I found myself stumbling around for an answer.

Compared to not riding at all, I guess I do ride a lot (except for when I don't).
Compared to professional riders and those ultralong distance riders, I ride only a little.

If I'm not going to see the person again, I tend to say that I ride nearly every day when it's not snowing/raining. It's pretty accurate.

If it's someone I will see more often because it's a workplace, then it can be the distance I did on a day just the past weekend/similar time frame. I don't talk about annual mileage. It doesn't mean much to anyone except for real cycling enthusiasts. Otherwise, pointless. A more meaningful thing to non-cyclists if not the mileage, but where I might have cycled from home area to destination point for a day ride. After all, we don't have a car. So why shouldn't I mention how I got to the destination?

Except for my dearie, no one else in my family has any concept how much cycling I do annually. They just know I love cycling and hear about my longer vacation bike trips in general. That's good enough for everyone.

[malkin]

These were all in the never-to-be-seen again category.

My small talk is generally more related to the immediate context rather than idly asking for some (personal) disclosure from a stranger.