Shocked

A few weeks ago someone in my bike club pulled me aside when we stopped to rest and said he needed to apoligize to me because he said some things about me before he got to know me. He said he wanted to tell me that before I heard about it from someone else. I thought he was going to say about that I am a show-off or I sometimes brag about my abilities at cycling. (Because sometimes I do) I asked him what he said. He mumbled and said it was a remark about "which one of us is the woman" and things like that. He was of course referring to the fact that my partner and I are gay, and speculating on our sexual behavior. I was a bit shocked, but assured him there was no problem, and not to worry about it at all, bygones and all that. And I really meant it. I've said dumb childish things plenty, and I didn't find what he said to be particularly hurtful, just completely surprising. I think his confession was spurred by the thought that a person he said this to might tell me. I don't know who he said it to, but I can't imagine any of the guys I ride with repeating that back to me. The interesting thing is that I have ridden with this guy a good bit and on several occasions I have let him draft behind me when he was tired, and I have slowed down to stay with him when he was having problems keeping up with the group. He's never been anything but easygoing and friendly to me, so I was especially shocked. The weekend before my partner had gone on a social ride and dinner with this bike club and I remarked to my partner afterwards just how much of a NONissue being gay seemed to be anymore. I've had people say things about gays not realizing I am gay, I've been called things to my face, but it never occurred to me that people might say things about me behind my back.
I think it takes a courageous person to make a confession like he did, I respect him for that. I don't feel there is anything to forgive, he didn't wrong me in anyway, just mostly came off as kind of an ass, and he seemed quite embarrassed by it. I don't really know what to make of the whole thing, I haven't felt any anger, I am mostly just surprised. I haven't mentioned this to anyone, except my partner. I won't say anything to the guys in the bike club, I feel like we both handled this like gentlemen. There was a time in my life where I doubt I would have remained as calm, and have been as adult about it.