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Doom, Gloom and dealing with negativity from non riders

If words throw you into a tailspin, you aren't tough enough to handle riding around here, never mind tough enough to survive rehab after a big crash.
 
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asthmodeus said:
If words throw you into a tailspin, you aren't tough enough to handle riding around here, never mind tough enough to survive rehab after a big crash.
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:rolleyes Srsly???

OP, ride safe, go ATGATT, demonstrate competence to your workerbees, if they ask about gear, demonstrate it for them, show how you're riding safe. :thumbup
 
I have wrecked parties by talking about motorcycles until there was nobody left who would put up with it. If some person gives you flack just start talking about how awesome bikes and riding are then you can move on to all your gear and the next bike you are scheming to buy and why, what you like about your cbr250 and why you want the ninja 250 and keep going until they get the picture that you are a motorcyclist to the bone and they will give up. Nobody has given me any flack about riding in years. :laughing
 
SmallButScrappy said:
Sometimes I feel a bit sassy and want to talk back to them but I just try to see the intention behind what they say.
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If they are being assholes, then their intention is to be an asshole. Perhaps if you dish back some sass they will STFU.
 
You could try looking them right in the eye and saying "Ooh, you don't ride do you? I feel so sad for you..."

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Cincinnatus said:
:rolleyes Srsly???

OP, ride safe, go ATGATT, demonstrate competence to your workerbees, if they ask about gear, demonstrate it for them, show how you're riding safe. :thumbup
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yes. yes, i think that summed up my thoughts nicely.

didn't you wind up unconscious in a lane on 880? i'm not talking shit- i'm saying that people who don't do this don't understand it for good reason. it's friggin dangerous as shit.

i'm as much for encouraging new riders as i am discouraging denial, and yes, if you can't handle some mockery or shit talk, then you don't exactly have very steely nerves, now do you?
 
Sorry you have to go through that. I work in a hospital and get the same thing. People telling it's dangerous and what not. Now my responses are, "I know, I know, I know" to everything they say. I bite my tongue and eventually they'll stop. Works for me haha. No reason to answer or comment back really.
 
asthmodeus said:
yes. yes, i think that summed up my thoughts nicely.

didn't you wind up unconscious in a lane on 880? i'm not talking shit- i'm saying that people who don't do this don't understand it for good reason. it's friggin dangerous as shit.

i'm as much for encouraging new riders as i am discouraging denial, and yes, if you can't handle some mockery or shit talk, then you don't exactly have very steely nerves, now do you?
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Asthmod, yeah, I did lay on NB 880 unconscious for an unknown length of time, probably between 1-5 minutes, broken ribs, etc., and I was ATGATT. I'm not saying motorcycling isn't dangerous, it certainly is. My point to the OP is that I've dealt with coworkers that gave me the same line over & over, and my response was to show them how long I've been riding, the gear I wear, the bike's extra equipment (upgraded horn, auxiliary lights, etc.), the training I've taken, yadda, yadda, etc. I just didn't know if you were mocking the OP (which would be in really poor taste, given her newness to BARF & riding) or talking shit (which is the unfortunate norm for teh BARFs). My nerves are fine, thanks for you whelming concern. :teeth
 
Cincinnatus said:
Asthmod, yeah, I did lay on NB 880 unconscious for an unknown length of time, probably between 1-5 minutes, broken ribs, etc., and I was ATGATT. I'm not saying motorcycling isn't dangerous, it certainly is. My point to the OP is that I've dealt with coworkers that gave me the same line over & over, and my response was to show them how long I've been riding, the gear I wear, the bike's extra equipment (upgraded horn, auxiliary lights, etc.), the training I've taken, yadda, yadda, etc. I just didn't know if you were mocking the OP (which would be in really poor taste, given her newness to BARF & riding) or talking shit (which is the unfortunate norm for teh BARFs). My nerves are fine, thanks for you whelming concern. :teeth
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i like that. me for mod. there's gonna be big changes around here. big changes.

but yeah, that's why you are still here- you're obviously tough, and lucky...if anyone should be a small voice in the wilderness against the cheerleading going on here, it's someone like you. THIS SHITS FOR KEEPS, KIDS!

:)
 
No question that this shit is for keeps, motorcycling is right up there in the "Things That Mothers Don't Want Their Children To Do, Ever" category.

However.... This particular means of transportation gives me the biggest repeatable MPG (Miles Per Grin) factor ever. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on, and it's cheap as hell compared to SCUBA, hang-gliding, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes with micron-thick fabric and string, and others. And you can die or be seriously & permanently injured. And I'm not going to stop riding until I can't physically or mentally manage it, which may be until I'm in my 70's or more. :loco And again, there's a reason that inconsiderate medical folks call us donors. So what? :teeth
 
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Just be cool and strong. Most people are just jealous because they are the frightened type and don't have the balls (or uterus) to get on a bike and live life to the fullest.

Being in the medical field, I get a lot of flak myself for it, especially the "we call them donorcycle" comments.

My favorite retort is that statistically you are more likely to die in a hospital from a medical error than you are on a motorcycle. That shuts them up real quick. (Reference)
 
rodr said:
...I got a couple of things like "oh is this a mid-life crisis?"
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Me being an older, returning rider I get this one all the time. I usually reply "Its actually my third mid-life crisis but whose counting?" or "I hope its a mid-life crisis because that means I'll live to be 104!" ... then I change the subject.
 
"The Tale" is a near-constant aspect of life as a rider - from the day you get your first until you take your last ride, people will feel compelled to regale you with their stories of injury, maiming and death - for whatever misguided reason. Get used to it.

I've tried to head them off early in the story with "If there isn't a single useful detail in this story I'm going to wheelie over your cat when I leave here." but that wasn't really effective - besides, it's not the CAT'S fault their owner tells pointless yarns of gore.

So wear your gear, ride sober, work on your skills, plan your rides and maintain your machine - in short, do all the things that can help stack the deck in your favor and Go Riding ! And when people tell you about their friend-of-a-friend's-cousin that had to "lay in down" and tumbled into a tree-chipper - but wasn't hardly drunk at all... just nod and say "well, that sure beats dying crazy in an old-folks home" or (in the reality of my own sad case) "Both of my parent died of cancer before they were 60, I think I'm going to live my life on MY TERMS"

In other words, yeah - some people are just joy-smothering anti-fun suck bags. Even if they mean well most don't have a goddam clue about what riding really means to us. or ME, anyway...
 
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Well we do love others opinions.

Every dude that gives you shit.
"why are you such a pussy?"

Every woman.
"Why are you such a scared little girl?"

Some good advice on here. Better than mine.

In reality I tell others I don't want to live my life on the couch so I choose to ride. I know it is dangerous and I do all I can to make it as safe as possible. I love life and love it more when living it on my terms.... Don't you??

I am another that has lived for close to 5 decades doing it.
I have had so many moments that transcend time and what life can be.

My moment in time has been a hell of a lot awesome moments and I want more.!!!!!

:ride
 
SmallButScrappy said:
I'm a new rider and petite gal, but when discover that I ride, it comes as somewhat of a shock to most people. Don't get me wrong, I get my fair share of people that are happy and supportive but I still haven't figured out how to deal with all the negativity that comes with the territory.

Recently, I've had my enthusiasm for riding met with horrible stories, graphic photos of recovery and even!! Wishes of me getting hurt!!

I know this is probably pretty common and I wonder how do y'all handle it? I never know what to say.

My recent responses have been:

"I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable , but I'm gonna ignore your advice."

Or.. " I understand that you're trying to look out for me. But I have to live my life without fear of the future."

Sometimes I feel a bit sassy and want to talk back to them but I just try to see the intention behind what they say.
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A big thing people don't understand or acknowledge is that there are a lot of dumb idiots in this world. They'll be dumb idiots while driving a car, riding a motorcycle, getting groceries, firing a gun, raising their kids, being considerate of others, avoiding danger, signaling, respecting power, etc ... essentially every aspect of their lives get colored by this low modus operandi.

I accept this and do my best to avoid them and the hazards they create while on my motorcycle. My assumption is : everyone on the road and pedestrians are trying to kill me. It's a fun game and gets me home safe.

When people make those comments to you, they're thinking about the idiots who operate motorcycles and the idiots on the road that will likely harm them.

Try not to be one and assume everyone else is and you'll have a high chance of living and making it home safe. When someone mentions the doom and gloom, remind them of the above : (i'm not an idiot and have a sound strategy for avoiding them).

Oh, and don't even bother yourself with people who color their commentary because you're a woman.
 
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My whole life has been a crisis...

I say start early...So you know how to do it.... Wheelie for safety, by 3 years old. :ride
 
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