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Following a comment on another thread, have you ever relied on a bike to identify someone?
Got a random message a fortnight ago via a WhatsApp group we used last year for an organised coast to coast ride I did - "Hi, it's Fred from that C2C last year. Are you still riding Loch Ness? I'm up there on my own and a familiar face to ride with would be great"
There were 12 of us on the C2C, we all got along well over the 3 days, but I had no idea which one was Fred, so I said I'd be happy to meet up and ride but wouldn't be able to pick them out of a line up after a year.
Reply came back "Red Trek"
Oh, that Fred!
I once greeted some one, by name, outside a Lakeside Cafe, purely from recognising their build from an online conversation. He nearly jumped out of his skin
I'm not sure he is on here, but I did see an Olsen with a Gates/Pinion drive leaning up in the entrance of a supermarket and go looking for the owner in the shop to ask him about it. He was easy to recognise....there are certain garments we all wear and a friendly attitude plus he was covered in scratches!
I'd remember someone's bike easier than I'd remember their face.
Often chat and ride with new people at my local trails, then forget their name and what they look like - so I sometimes depend on the bike to identify them next time.
Not by bike exactly. But I once met a local guy on a track and after a few minutes realised we knew some of the same people...then the penny dropped. I'd heard many times about his single speed exploits and seen his Strava handle on dozens of KOM. Sure enough I got the call a few weeks later to come out for a ride... To be dropped with ease on every hill.
glad its not just me that looks at the bike before the rider 🙂
I'm in an rc rock crawler club, I don't know who anyone is, and I probably never will. Oh it's Traxxas That Went On Fire Guy!
I still have friends saved in my phone book after a bike or kayak they had when we met (for some it would be from the late 90s!). Tom Yeti, Andy Inazone, etc. I’m good with faces, but pretty rubbish with names so adding the bike or boat to their name helps me remember.
Some bikes are more memorable than others.
but wouldn't be able to pick them out of a line up after a year.
Reply came back "Red Trek"
was that a hint to help you remember him? or a guide to spotting him when you try to meet up?
If I'm meeting an infrequent aquaintance for a ride, I might mention that I'll be in a white audi with a pink bike on the roof. I hope that's not their lasting impression of me, but its good for a meeting point.
A while ago, Mrs BigJohn and I were riding a bit of singletrack on Cannock Chase. For some inexplicable reason she was ahead of me and when I got to the main trail I didn't know if she'd gone left or right. A couple of riders (I'd never seen before) were coming from the right and as they passed I asked "has my wife passed you?" One replied "On a Diamondback Apex Comp?". Well, yes actually, but I didn't expect that's what you'd remember about her.