They just don't understand

[Grant Fondo]

I've had a few customers phone me up recently,asking if/when i'll be back at work. All very sympathetic about my hip breaks,offering advice and saying don't rush back blah blah. The sympathy ends when i tell them that i intend to get back on my bike ASAP. You're not serious....You're mad if you go back on that bike again....I'd give it up and join a walking club at your age and other such advice and words of wisdom have been offered. They just do not understand!! I tell them it's my hobby(love of my life even)and i'd be lost without it,but it falls on deaf ears. The only ones who understand are fellow cyclists!

Yes get some miles in Acc...if it makes you happy its the perfect recovery

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I seem to confuse some people because I have a car but do almost as much mileage on my bike as I drive. Nothing has been said yet but I get the distinct impression that some people amongst my family and friends aren't happy that I'm back on the bike a month after I've had a heart attack.

 

[greekonabike]

I haven't had an 'off' yet but I've recently given up the car in favour of my bike and the responses I've received from my friends and family have been interesting. Here are my favourites:

(Leaving the parents house late at night in slight drizzle) Mum: We'll give you a lift home, we'll put the bike in the car.

(Leaving my grandparents house to cycle the 2.7 miles to town....in slight drizzle) Grandparents: Blimey, we'll give you a lift in the car.

(On the phone arranging plans for Christmas with my mum) Mum: Are you riding your bike here? Me: Yeah, why? Mum: I wanted to know if you wanted a lift.

(Turning up at any friends house wearing a helmet and walking the bike) Any friend: Have you just cycled here? I could have given you a lift.

I've been offered more lifts in the last month than I have in my entire life. I just don't think people get that I gave up the car for a reason. I find cycling less stressful and I'd rather cycle in the rain than be sat in a car in traffic.

GOAB

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I haven't had an 'off' yet but I've recently given up the car in favour of my bike and the responses I've received from my friends and family have been interesting. Here are my favourites:

(Leaving the parents house late at night in slight drizzle) Mum: We'll give you a lift home, we'll put the bike in the car.

(Leaving my grandparents house to cycle the 2.7 miles to town....in slight drizzle) Grandparents: Blimey, we'll give you a lift in the car.

(On the phone arranging plans for Christmas with my mum) Mum: Are you riding your bike here? Me: Yeah, why? Mum: I wanted to know if you wanted a lift.

(Turning up at any friends house wearing a helmet and walking the bike) Any friend: Have you just cycled here? I could have given you a lift.

I've been offered more lifts in the last month than I have in my entire life. I just don't think people get that I gave up the car for a reason. I find cycling less stressful and I'd rather cycle in the rain than be sat in a car in traffic.

GOAB

I came across this a few times when I was working and cycle commuting, the strange look I got from some people when I turned the lift down and insisted on cycling home in the rain was highly amusing.

 

[greekonabike]

I came across this a few times when I was working and cycle commuting, the strange look I got from some people when I turned the lift down and insisted on cycling home in the rain was highly amusing.

I tried explaining why I enjoyed cycling to a few family members the other day and I got blank faces from everyone except the person who hacks about on his Boardman road bike every other day. It's some kind of weird affinity that only cyclists 'get'.

GOAB

 

[Lancsman]

I had a heart attack earlier in the year and I must be honest and admit it took me a lot longer to get back on the bike than i would have liked. With me it was fear of another attack. After a brain hemorrhage back in 1999 whilst cycling in the lakes I was back on the bike way to early and that hit me hard because I thought my time cycling was over. On the other hand my older brother has been undergoing chemotherapy this year for prostrate cancer and he waited patiently and did his first 16 mile ride last weekend, and the difference in him is unbelievable he is happy again. I can see where you are coming from Accy just do things in your own time at your own pace and look after yourself.

 

[classic33]

I came across this a few times when I was working and cycle commuting, the strange look I got from some people when I turned the lift down and insisted on cycling home in the rain was highly amusing.

And then you pass them, sat in their car, going no-where.

Me, until recently. Once things stopped feeling sore, I'd be back on the bike.

 

[ColinJ]

I seem to confuse some people because I have a car but do almost as much mileage on my bike as I drive. Nothing has been said yet but I get the distinct impression that some people amongst my family and friends aren't happy that I'm back on the bike a month after I've had a heart attack.

I'd be tempted to tell them that you would probably have died from heart problems years ago if cycling hadn't kept you fit!

When the consultant saw the CT scan of my pulmonary embolism she said that most people with one that bad were normally DOA at the hospital! She had certainly never seen anybody that ill still able to walk. (In truth, I could only manage about 20 paces.) She thought it was cycling that had made my heart strong enough to take the strain.

 

[Accy cyclist]

They only thing they need to understand is that you will get back to work when you are fit enough. What you do till then is irrelevant and none of their business.

They weren't being pushy. At the end of the day it's only a dirty window we're talking about. The ones who phoned me are long standing customers who i've built up a working type friendship with. They're more concerned about me than their windows. One even asked for my address so she could post her 2 quid Christmas tip to me,god bless her.

 

[gersin008]

I fell off bike on 2nd December and broke right hip and being honest dreading going back on bike but I know I will even if I need to go to a psychologist to get over my fears

 

[Alan O]

I've been offered more lifts in the last month than I have in my entire life. I just don't think people get that I gave up the car for a reason. I find cycling less stressful and I'd rather cycle in the rain than be sat in a car in traffic.

I've always been puzzled by the way so many people seem to think that the only reason anyone would travel anywhere other than in a car, whether that's walking, cycling, public transport, is because they don't have a car (or the car is out of action, or something).

I know people who will drive to the corner shop rather than walk, even though you could be there and back in less time than it takes to get in, adjust the mirrors, fasten seat belt, start up, drive and park. And they'll drive round the block multiple times just to park 2 or 3 paces closer to their destination.

I walk round the local shops almost every day - it's part of my exercise routine, I enjoy walking, and I'll do it even if we don't actually need anything. And no matter how many times I've explained to people that I enjoy walking and don't want a lift, the same people keep coming back with "You don't need to walk - I'll give you a lift", or winding down their windows when they pass me and offering me a lift.

They're being kind and considerate, but it just doesn't register with them that I choose to walk and that I never want a lift.

 

[GGJ]

IMO the NHS Physio is crap, they use a standard procedure for all ailments and finish your treatment long before you're mended. I suffered a spinal fracture a few years ago due to osteoporosis and was told no cycling for at least 12 weeks, after 5 weeks I went to the local shops on my bike and it was agony, another 5 weeks and lots of painkillers and I was out and about once again. I was taking the painkillers for 7months then I had to deal with the withdrawal symptoms when I came off them. That was almost as bad as the fracture

 

[User33236]

This last summer I was cycling home from work in the rain, as is typical, and, whilst waiting at lights, heard a young lady sitting in the passenger seat of an old, beat up, Fiesta, say "Aww, bless. Look at him. Must be awful not being able to afford a car"!!!

 

[vickster]

@GGJ If you were told no cycling for 12 weeks, why did you ride after 5?!

 

[greekonabike]

I've always been puzzled by the way so many people seem to think that the only reason anyone would travel anywhere other than in a car, whether that's walking, cycling, public transport, is because they don't have a car (or the car is out of action, or something).

I know people who will drive to the corner shop rather than walk, even though you could be there and back in less time than it takes to get in, adjust the mirrors, fasten seat belt, start up, drive and park. And they'll drive round the block multiple times just to park 2 or 3 paces closer to their destination.

I walk round the local shops almost every day - it's part of my exercise routine, I enjoy walking, and I'll do it even if we don't actually need anything. And no matter how many times I've explained to people that I enjoy walking and don't want a lift, the same people keep coming back with "You don't need to walk - I'll give you a lift", or winding down their windows when they pass me and offering me a lift.

They're being kind and considerate, but it just doesn't register with them that I choose to walk and that I never want a lift.

Very true, my car is currently off road but it's still taxed and insured and I have the choice of using it but I've found that I don't want too. It's been sat there for over three weeks and I've been using the bike to get everywhere.

Most people have assumed I can't afford to run the car and that's why I'm cycling, they are very much mistaken.

GOAB