You can cycle how far!!!???

[cookiemonster]

That was the reaction from the lady on the phone this morning as I was discussing a 'possible' new job in a town called Echt, about 15 miles from Aberdeen. I don't have a car so I said I would cycle there and back, not a problem. There was a dis-believing tone in her voice on the phone as I tried to explain that 30 miles a day is nothing, I used to do that on a daily basis when I worked in Banchory, same distance from Aberdeen.

Also, trying to say that I've been cycling since I was 10 didn't help. This must be a rare case of being refused a job because someone doesn't believe that some people do keep themselves fit and don't automatically pile their fat arses into cars.

It's only 30 miles a day!!! It's nothing.

Jeez

 

[661-Pete]

It would be grossly unfair (and definitely grounds for complaint) if you were refused the job on the strength of this. Hope you have better luck!

Some people - but the number is dwindling I hope - have this extraordinary attitude towards cycle commuters. I've never lost nor been refused a job on these grounds, but I had a former MD who for some reason was scared sh!tless at the thought that I might come to grief on my cycle-commute (would have cost him a bomb to train up my replacement, you see... ). As I recall, he tried to get me to wear a full suit of armour or something .

 

[NorrisCole]

That was the reaction to the lady on the phone this morning as I was discussing a 'possible' new job in a town called Echt, about 15 miles from Aberdeen. I don't have a car so I said I would cycle there and back, not a problem. There was a dis-believing tone in her voice on the phone as I tried to explain that 30 miles a day is nothing, I used to do that on a daily basis when I worked in Banchory, same distance from Aberdeen.

Also, trying to say that I've been cycling since I was 10 didn't help. This must be a case of being refused a job because someone doesn't believe that some people do keep themselves fit and don't automatically pile their fat arses into cars.

It's only 30 miles a day!!! It's nothing.

Jeez

I've had this before. Another good one is people who ask, genuinely, if you're riding the Tour de France this year.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I don't think people have any right to even know how you get to work so long as you get there. It's none of their business.

 

[numbnuts]

Maybe they were going to flog you to death at work and you wouldn’t be able to ride home

 

[palinurus]

Quite.

I've seen quite a few job adverts which state own transport essential that do not involve driving (one of them a local school on a bus route). Ok, a bike is own transport- but I don't think that's what they have in mind. I've no idea if it's legal.

 

[palinurus]

I've had this before. Another good one is people who ask, genuinely, if you're riding the Tour de France this year.

I've had that. Jesus.

I ride to work, it's less than ten miles. I think I was still smoking at the time.

 

[HLaB]

I've had this before. Another good one is people who ask, genuinely, if you're riding the Tour de France this year.

I don't think I've had anyone genuinely say that but folk have said it in jest

 

[Aperitif]

Good luck cookie. At least you'll be able to ride in and give work the chop! Aieeeeeeeee..!

 

[NorrisCole]

I don't think I've had anyone genuinely say that but folk have said it in jest

Yes much more often you get something along the lines of 'Lance, France is that-a-way' or something equally stupid

 

[Over The Hill]

When I cycled to work in Reading (24 miles by car 19 by bike) I only left 10 minutes earlier with the bike. I only did it a couple of times a week though.

Working from home now so getting lazy.

 

[darkstar]

I don't think people have any right to even know how you get to work so long as you get there. It's none of their business.

Last summer when I was sorting out a full time night warehouse job, the lad in front of me was Eastern European. He was asked if he had a car, or access to a car. When he replied no, he was refused a job. his grasp of English wasn't sufficient to explain how he'd get to the industrial site. I'm not sure if this is legal or not.

 

[tyred]

I must admit I would have thought it impossible myself until I started cycling.

 

[Alan Whicker]

Had a similar reaction from my boss when she found out I cycle 5 (FIVE) whole miles to work.

 

[Paulus]

Unfortunately, there is a sizable majority of the population who think that anymore than riding around the park is a fantastic feat and only super humans can ride more than a few miles without expiring or need the attention of medical staff. You only have to see the reaction of work colleagues when they ask how far you ride on a weekly basis to see the astonishment on their faces.