Backseat - From Where I Sit

February 2007

By: Michelle

“Biker” vs. Biker

A few days ago, I was trapped into a casual conversation with a co-worker who was rambling on and on about various topics while blocking the exit to the break room. At the time, my main interest was in trying to get past him as politely as possible while still looking somewhat interested. The conversation was bordering on boring and the monotone droning was lulling me to sleep when suddenly he dropped his voice an octave when he said his new neighbor was a “Biker”. This change in pitch caught my attention. I began to wonder if he was trying to imitate engine noises. Why else would someone whose grating voice that registered only one notch above office machine noise suddenly take on a baritone personality?

Thinking it was nothing more than a nerdy guy trying to be cool, or possibly the result of a bizarre throat condition due to his incessant talking, I put it out of my mind. Yet a few weeks later I was talking about one of my biker friends to another co-worker who stopped me in mid conversation and asked me if I was referring to a biker (normal pitch) or a “biker” (again, an octave lower rumbling pitch). Before I thought about it, I found myself automatically growling back in my best bass voice “biker”. Somehow even I had been conditioned to this phenomenon without even realizing it. Who knew a simple tone could convey so much meaning?

Totally sidetracked, I began to ask my co-worker if she noticed the change in our tone. I went into deep thought and began contemplating the situation further. Where did this whole notion begin? How does this make women bikers feel? What about those bikers whose engines don’t make a deep throated rumbling sound? Does this give them rumble envy? I found the whole concept fascinating. My co-worker, however, must not have found the topic as engaging as I looked up from these philosophical ponderings to find that I was standing alone talking only to the unresponsive coke machine (which I still consider slightly more entertaining than the first guy in this article).

Now that I have noticed this little quirk, I find it is more common than just a random occurrence. I encourage you to conduct your own experiment. Ask any of your friends if someone is a biker or a “biker”. I guarantee that in most cases without any additional prompting, they will know which one means motorcyclist and which one means bicyclist simply by the tone of voice.

So, whether you prefer the Jesse James or Lance Armstrong method of transportation, we all are seeking the same thing – the open road and the freedom to face the wind. Since the road is big enough for all of us, let’s all ride safely.

Thanks for visiting VirginiaWind.

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