reactions to riding gear

[mjn12]

Finally got home to switch the firebird for the GS, just in time to get a few days of riding around campus in before the next two days of rain (thanks cleveland). I've got a whole lot of rubber pieces parts coming from bike bandit to replace all the little gaskets on my giant "These probably need replaced but the bike still runs" list. Can't wait to start wrenching for the first time this year.

Anyway, the reason I'm really here is this: Anyone else notice the crazy looks you get when you walk into a building in  a heavy leather jacket on a 70 degree day?  I gotta admit I get a kick out of it. People really seems to get confused when I'm not carrying my helmet.  The jacket I have makes no attempt to hide the fact that its a riding jacket with the heavy padding and A*'s on the shoulders but I'd still say at leat 90% of the people I pass do a double take and then try to make it look as if they weren't staring at you.

Not that the attention in bad - there's nothing like looking behind you and catching a beautiful baby watching you walk away.  Maybe its just the school I go to - small research university, only ever like 5 - 10 bikes on campus. Anyone else get the same reactions?

[darb85]

i do sometimes. 

[ohgood]

don't worry, it will fade, and then you'll get a wedding band, and you'll wonder where it went...

[scottpA_GS]

Maybe you should stop wearing your pink jacket and boots 

[bucks1605]

That's why I don't wear gear. 

Shorts, T-shirt, and flip flops.

I fit right in with the cagers in the bank.

[bettingpython]

Our director of pupil accounting is a very petite lady, she was walking out of the office one day behind me, I had been called in and had my ride plans interrupted on a day off.

Walking out of my office to go ride creaking along in my leathers and squeeky race boots as we were passing the receptionist she exclaimed she thought she was walking behind a comic book super hero...

Do not wear your helmet in the bank even to pop in and drop of a deposit real quick like, they get a little edgey when you still haven't gotten your lid off by the time you hit entry vestibule

We had a major hardware upgrade scheduled for a midnight start one friday last summer. I rode to bike night and then hung out at the poser corner went in to work from hanging out and the IBM engineers on site to handle the upgrade said it was the first time they'd ever done a hardware upgrade with some one in ridng pant's.

[yamahonkawazuki]

lol think thats bad, when i would wear my riding chaps, ( when i rode my hd) it seems to have brought out every lady who was into s&m, which was  and every homosexual ( not my persuasion)

[Teek]

I guess most of those reactions are preferable to the ones I get in my BICYCLE riding gear...   

[ohgood]

I guess most of those reactions are preferable to the ones I get in my BICYCLE riding gear...   

In my experience, chicks dig cycling shorts on fit guys, even if they giggle a little. Something about the package being shown off, or the muscles, I dunno. There wasn't a 40 mile trip that went by without a smile from a hot little lady as she perused the package.

Fit cyclist chicks in riding bibs is so hawt, OMG. Drool.

[yamahonkawazuki]

I guess most of those reactions are preferable to the ones I get in my BICYCLE riding gear...   

In my experience, chicks dig cycling shorts on fit guys, even if they giggle a little. Something about the package being shown off, or the muscles, I dunno. There wasn't a 40 mile trip that went by without a smile from a hot little lady as she perused the package.

Fit cyclist chicks in riding bibs is so hawt, OMG. Drool.

oh yeah, i get to follow them for around 150 miles every year 

[DarkStarr]

"You rode today?"

"Yeah" (no, I just decided to wear my gear)

"Wow, it's nice weather for that isn't it?"

"Yup" (even if it wasn't nice weather, I'd still be riding)

"Be safe!"

"I do what I can" (STFU!)

[mjn12]

The well meaning 'Be Careful's' I inevitably get do get a little old.  I've almost got a set response about how I am and thats why I wear gear and blah blah blah. I never have the heart to suggest that the person reminding me about safety could do me a huge favor and stay off their cell phone next time they're in the car.

I'm pretty pissed about the whole cell phone thing.  Twice yesterday I had to jump on the brake to avoid t-boning someone who pulled out in front of me. 

I cycle to, but I haven't had the motivation or spare cash to pick up a pair of those crazy shorts.  Too much money went into the bike and now I don't have any left over for accessories.

[08GSSteve]

LOL I like the replies I get at work when I ride in when it is pissing down with rain.  I will clock in at the time cards dressed in full wet weather riding gear dripping with water and some observant idiot will say.......Oh is it raining outside........"Nah I had a shower in my riding gear ya dumb arse"

Or like what previous posters have said.  walk into a public place on a hot day wearing your full riding gear and people will say " Why aren't you hot"?........If a little cute thing says it then one has to reply "Why Thank You"

A bikers life for me and loving it, rain hail or shine