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Gear Prudence: My husband is really funny. He’s really wry and witty, and we’ve always had a very jokey relationship. But his sense of humor can also get a little dark. More than once when I’ve been leaving my house on the bike, he’s said something with a wink like, “Don’t get run over!” I sort of laugh because I know that he’s just joking and I can be macabre about biking too, but it’s starting to get under my skin a little. There’s no way he really wishes me harm. Am I just being too sensitive? —Joking Or Kidding, Ebullience Reluctant
Dear JOKER: Jokes. GP gets jokes. But GP also gets how being forced to confront your own mortality due to an offhand remark from someone who allegedly loves you might not be the best feeling in the world. So, no, you’re not being too sensitive.
When it comes to humor, macabre is fine. Winking is fine. Even snide can be fine. But the problem here is that his “joke” not only discomfits, but it’s also at your expense. Tell him that while you generally appreciate his sense of humor, the bike jokes bother you. Certainly if he’s as much of a comedian as you suggest, he’s told a few duds before and he’ll know how to revise his act. —GP
Gear Prudence: I used to ride two miles to work, but I changed jobs three weeks ago and now my ride is 10 miles. Now I’m arriving at work every day voraciously hungry. I either end up buying something junky from the convenience store nearby or grumble my way through the morning famished. This isn’t tenable. What would be some good post-ride snacks for me to store in the office? —Help! Absent Nourishment, Green Rider Yellow
Dear HANGRY: Ten miles is a long ride and it’s no surprise that you arrive at work in desperate want of sustenance. While your body might adjust over time to the new distance, leaving you less ravenous, bringing snacks from home to store at work is a great idea even if it’s the same junk you’d buy at the store. Think of all the savings when you buy your Ho Hos in bulk rather than one Ho at a time.
Work snacks vary depending on tastes, but go for something easy to eat with minimal preparation, with a decently long shelf-life, and that adequately matches your storage situation at your office. Communal fridges can be dangerous, so think of things you can easily hide in a drawer/above a ceiling tile. Also, unless you have excellent portion control, consider individually wrapped and appropriately apportioned snacks. A giant bag of trail mix goes awfully fast if you eat everyday until you’re sated. As for snack healthiness, sure, that’s a thing too. —GP
Gear Prudence is Brian McEntee, who tweets @sharrowsDC. Got a question about bicycling? Email gearprudence@washcp.com.