winning hearts and minds...

[Seramount]

I've never really subscribed to the notion of being an 'ambassador' for cycling. I just ride...if people like that, fine, if not...

so, today I was out for a spin at lunch and succumbed to my stupid OCD and picked up several plastic water bottles and aluminum cans that had been thoughtfully discarded along the shoulder.

was heading to an apt complex that has a recycle bin to dump the load when a guy in a lifted diesel truck pulls next to me...

I was expecting some kind of negative interaction, but the bearded, husky dude driving says 'you can put that trash in the bed'...told him thanks, but I'd just toss it in the bin up ahead.

he gives me a thumbs up and says...'hey, some of you bike fags are ok'...

so, I guess we made one convert today...I think.

[makoti]

He used his thumb instead of a different finger. I'd say that's a win.

[dave thompson]

Some folks don't know how to say thanks and let it go at that.

[Peter P.]

THAT was funny!

[cinema]

yikes

[Hawker]

Funny, left handed compliment for sure. That's what you get for wearing those skinny pants.

[Louis]

Anyone who calls cyclists "fags" has some serious insecurity issues.

[FlashUNC]

One step at a time.

[thwart]

THAT was funny!

Yep. A little sarcasm never hurt anyone. It's all in context.

[JAllen]

That has got to be one of funniest things I've heard. With the title you gave it?... This could be made into a sketch comedy. Granted, it's offensive of him, but that's par for the course for people.

[charliedid]

This post wins

[Ronsonic]

If we've reached the point in this world where a bit of good-humored offensiveness is considered offensive, we're lost.

Polite contempt promotes peace among the tribes.

[weisan]

sera pal, you WON my heart!

[Louis]

If we've reached the point in this world where a bit of good-humored offensiveness is considered offensive, we're lost.

I understand what you mean if we're talking amongst friends, but to a complete stranger it isn't anything I would do.

I suppose we can turn this thread into another one of those "This country is going down the drain and all these demands for Political Correctness are infringing on my right to freely express myself are proof of that" but I don't think that will get us anywhere.

[Cicli]

Sunday I had a fat lady yell at me to get my "skinny ass" off the road. I thanked her for the compliment.

[Elefantino]

:hello::hello:

[oliver1850]

Good for you. You never know who is watching/paying attention. I had an older farmer tell me that I was the "greenest" guy he knew of. I don't think of myself as being in that camp generally, but I do commute, shop, and pick up roadside trash on the bike. If someone sees you picking up trash and it makes them think twice the next time they roll the window down to toss something, great.

[soulspinner]

One step at a time.

Right. Just for fun I woulda said its nice to know you rednecks arent all the same too.

[snah]

I'd take that over some of the other stuff I've been called.

[makoti]

Sunday I had a fat lady yell at me to get my "skinny ass" off the road. I thanked her for the compliment.

Once had a lady yelling at me about something, going on & on about "you kids shouldn't be on the road". I finally told her I was 35 (old story). She shot back "Well, you don't look it! I mean act it!" I laughed and left.