Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - I'm not alone.....

Someone who posts here wrote on their blog....

"I am finally becoming a real cyclist..."

The fellow rides 70 miles a week. I think I have a rival for low self-esteem on two wheels. :)

So how many miles a week does it take to be a real cyclist? I'd like to know what it takes to get my credentials.

I hesitate to call myself a cyclist too, at least not more than a rookie on probation. I figure I need more time at it, as I've only been on a bike for two months. Mind you, I put over 700 miles on my bike in eight weeks, but it's typical of me to obsess over something for a couple of months before dropping it. I'm waiting to see if cycling sticks and becomes a permanent part of my lifestyle, then I'd be a real cyclist.

Think of it not as low self-esteem, but as hubris avoidance.

Someone who posts here wrote on their blog....

"I am finally becoming a real cyclist..."

The fellow rides 70 miles a week. I think I have a rival for low self-esteem on two wheels. :)

Ah, a Roadie'ism learning opportunity. In the Roadie world there is no such thing as low self-esteem. It's been replaced by self loathing.

I highly recommend the Froadie approach. The ambiguity rulz.

I've asked myself that question as well. The bike community is huge where I live, and there are lots of roadie racers and ex-racers that blow by everyone except for other racers every single time that I go out for a ride.

My opinion is, that for me this is a hobby, and in that respect I and all of you are "real" cyclists. Runners don't seem to have this problem as much. Anybody that jogs a 2-3 times a week with any consistency considers themselves a "runner". They all don't feel the need to participate in timed distance events with a strict cut-off for "completion" or qualification for a sanctioned race. They just like to run. I feel the same way about bicycling. People get too competitive and hung up on labels with stuff like this.

I'm a biker and I DARE someone to tell me different!

Jerry

At what point and time do you finally get the label, "Cyclist?" I just rolled over 10,000 miles, but that doesn't mean I can go out and ride with a group of roadies. Is it speed, time, cadence or distance that finally pushes you into the realm of, "Cyclist?" Who wrote the rules? where do you draw the lines?

I just consider myself a recreational biker. I like to roll along when I want, and how fast I want. Not interested in joining group rides or proving my prowess to anyone else. I like to ride for fun.

A cyclist is someone that rides a bicycle in my mind. I've always been a recreational cyclist. Had some idiots on other forums say we weren't real cyclists as we ride in tanktops. It's cali and over 100 at times, I get hot and I hate jerseys. Of course that year I prolly more than doubled their mileage with 7300 for the year and 23 centuries.

Others have said I'm not a cyclist cause I didn't hold a racing license. I felt good so I went out for some crit training rides. I was on my 98 Cannondale with $12 tires and the other guys on 2005 team bikes, all new equipment and all matching. I had thought about racing so figurd I'd test myself. Now this was 30 lbs ago, don't get me wrong, not in that shape now. But there was a group of 4 including me that smoked the field of about 20 other racers. One of the guys just sucked wheel but I did my share throughout the ride eventhough I was the recreational rider with no license.:p

After the ride, several riders asked, "what's your name, again?". Beanz Dammit, Beanz!:D

It was after that when I realized, I am a cyclist and I don't need no stinking license! Doesn't mean squat! I ride my bike and just cause I don't pay $20 for a license doesn't make me any less of a cyclist than a guy with a highend bike and purty uniform!:D

My opinion if it's your hobby, then you're a cyclist!:thumb:

I've considered this question lately. I thought about a quiz of some sort. My definiton of a cyclist is a person who enjoys riding, puts time into getting better (either reading/posting or actually riding), and supports cycling. For example, if you HAD TO vote for either a fourth baseball field or a new bike path you would support the new bike path. I think this covers a wide group of people serious recreational riders, racers, FREDS, and even some poseurs

I tried to evaluate it based on the gear you had toe clips, clipless pedals, and bike shorts. And there isn't any one thing. I think the above is more about attitude and desire and that moves a person from a pedal pusher to a cyclist.

There are those who ride because they have to, don't have a car, no driver's license, etc. They ride, but probably would prefer to drive, they aren't cyclists. Taking a spin around the block with the kids doesn't make you a cyclist.

I don't hold a racing license so I guess I am not a cyclist. How about a, "Bike Rider?" I don't care to exceed some speed. Just go.

Cars, horses, boats, and bicycles all had practical uses before anyone decided to use them for competition. I think it's funny that so many people take the sport so much more seriously than any other use, and pretend that only the competitors are 'real' anything. Bikes are vehicles, and people who use them are cyclists.