The term "road geek"

[Henry]

Even as a kid, I wore glasses and I still remember how I used to get teased just for that. Yes, the kids called me a geek, nerd and four-eyes, but I didn't let that get to me. So I guess I'm comfortable with the term roadgeek (after all, I graduated from UCLA!).

[Zeffy]

Even as a kid, I wore glasses and I still remember how I used to get teased just for that. Yes, the kids called me a geek, nerd and four-eyes, but I didn't let that get to me. So I guess I'm comfortable with the term roadgeek (after all, I graduated from UCLA!).

I did things that boys normally didn't do unless they were...homosexual apparently, and yes I got plenty of shit from other people for doing it (actually - it was ONLY people who were in a grade below me). Good thing I learned early that everyone's negative opinions of me can die in a fire. Words don't hurt me. In school, I was extremely likable by everyone else in my grade, save for a few people who were on completely different wavelengths then me. When some people saw some of the maps I drew in the later years of high school, as well as shitty road signs I drew, those got me more weird looks. So what? The best thing I could've done in my life was to ignore the haters and bullies. I was never physical in school or at home because of it.

Don't be dissing adult kickball leagues. Doug Kerr may have something to say about that.

I'd totally sign up for an adult kickball league. Kickball is fucking legit, heck even playing soft/baseball is as well.

[kennyshark]

Yes, "geek" had more of a negative connotation when I was growing up in the 80s (although I didn't consider myself at the time.  Now, however, I've become a "geek" (enthusiast) on many levels and proud to refer to myself as such.  Road geek, space geek, band geek (even many years after I left the field), guitar geek and ship geek (Great Lakes freighters), for example.  I even use the term "geeked" to describe an excessively psyched-up feeling.

[Pete from Boston]

Here are all instances of the term in Google's Usenet archive through 12/31/1997.

The earliest result seems to be in reference to a geek (in the traditional sense) who spends time out on the road.

Several further posts from 1995 refer to road cyclists (as opposed to off-road cyclists) as "road geeks."

The earliest result in the context of one interested in roads is by David "ZZYZX" Steinberg, in alt.society.generation-x.

[Brandon]

Here are all instances of the term in Google's Usenet archive through 12/31/1997.

The earliest result seems to be in reference to a geek (in the traditional sense) who spends time out on the road.

Several further posts from 1995 refer to road cyclists (as opposed to off-road cyclists) as "road geeks."

The earliest result in the context of one interested in roads is by David "ZZYZX" Steinberg, in alt.society.generation-x.

My god, looking at those old posts.  Some of us have been around here (mtr and then aaroads) a very long time.

[Pete from Boston]

I know.  And to think, I've barely aged!