Fifty Plus (50+) - Poseur Overkill?

I didn't know where to post this, and since this is where I "hang out", here goes---Today while on my local MUP I watched a pack [5] ride past me, all in full racing attire. Kinda figured these type of dudes wouldn't be caught dead on an MUP. Don't they call it "the granny trail"? I admit I don't own any bike racing stuff--still jeans and sweatshirt--but when I'm push'n it, I do it on the road, the MUP is more for relaxing. I was laughing too hard to get the camera out in time

So, you were the guy laughing at us on the MUP. Stay away from the tall weeds, sonny.

I have seen a few groups like this on MUPs, I get a kick out of them especially if they make know effort to say hello or nod.

If by full racing attire you mean bib shorts and some sort of colorful jersey, then it could be me....:) Wait a few more weeks and I'll switch to bib tights....:D

In some states you must use the MUP instead of the road if one is available.

In some states you must use the MUP instead of the road if one is available.

? unfounded rumor ?

Real cyclists wear appropriate and suitable gear. The pretend cyclists are those wearing junky clothes and pretending to ride. Some of those people even ride wired on tires and wave. Yuck.

Real cyclists wear appropriate and suitable gear. The pretend cyclists are those wearing junky clothes and pretending to ride. Some of those people even ride wired on tires and wave. Yuck.

So I must be just pretending. But I sure am having a lot of fun doing it! :thumb:

OK, what's a MUP?

I didn't know where to post this, and since this is where I "hang out", here goes---Today while on my local MUP I watched a pack [5] ride past me, all in full racing attire. Kinda figured these type of dudes wouldn't be caught dead on an MUP. Don't they call it "the granny trail"? I admit I don't own any bike racing stuff--still jeans and sweatshirt--but when I'm push'n it, I do it on the road, the MUP is more for relaxing. I was laughing too hard to get the camera out in time

define 'racing attire', so I can decide whether to laugh with you or at you.

When I rode my 153 miles last week, I switched between wearing my REI cargo shorts and Wrangler denin shorts, along with Target C9 tech jerseys and my Merrell low-rise hiking shoes. Very comfy on my recumbent.

I find cycling clothes to be less than optimal when riding my bent on rail trails. 1) You don't need padded shorts on a bent, if anything all they do is make you hot & sweaty. 2) You don't need a cycling jersey with back pockets, for you can't use the back pockets when you have a seat back. And 3) as cycling clothes are rarely worn on these rail trails, you look kinda strange as compared to everyone else and especially when you stop to tour towns along the ride.

The experience is very different as compared to a group ride where nearly everyone is wearing cycling kit, where padded shorts are a good thing, and where rear jersey pockets are useful.

Also along these types of trails, nearly everyone says hello & nods or waves to everyone they pass. It is considered rude to not acknowledge others.

I wouldn't be caught death with the AMD logo on my arse. That said, I have some non-pro shorts that I use all the time.

OK, what's a MUP?

Multi Use Path; A road, trail or path intended for bicycling , jogging, walking, etc.

I don't know where to go with this.....:D

define 'racing attire', so I can decide whether to laugh with you or at you.

That would be the recumbent-specific baggy-MTB-shorts-without-padding and wicking poly Champion t-shirt from Target with SPD shoes? I'm training for the TDF.

That would be the recumbent-specific baggy-MTB-shorts-without-padding and wicking poly Champion t-shirt from Target with SPD shoes? I'm training for the TDF.

Beard or no beard? Everybody knows that pro TDF bent riders have beards...and pot bellies.
(well only the Dutch have pot bellies...it's legal there)

Beard or no beard? Everybody knows that pro TDF bent riders have beards...and pot bellies.
(well only the Dutch have pot bellies...it's legal there)

Gotta get to work on the beard and pot belly. And, gotta find a "doctor" to help improve my performance.

I've read a bunch of these threads and don't understand them. So I have to don the dress of a professional whenever I chose to do something? Need a chef's hat to cookout, a UPS uniform to bring home a package, Driving gloves, shoes and helmet for the trip to the grocery store in a car... If you saw the Lance on a fixie thread it's obvious that the pros don't dress like that when they are out havng a good time...

Anytime I'm riding more than 3 or 4 miles, I wear cycling shorts or MTB shorts, a cycling shirt, gloves, and helmet and that includes rides on the local MUP. I don't take leisurely rides on the MUP, frequently averaging over 14 MPH riding an older MTB on gravel.
But I have no problem with those riding with jeans and T-shirts taking leisurely rides (wish they'd ride with helmets). I'm enjoying my ride and I'm sure they're enjoying theirs.
When I come across someone who points and snickers or laughs because I'm in full gear, I just say "Hey Fred (or Wilma) how ya'doin?"

I've read a bunch of these threads and don't understand them. So I have to don the dress of a professional whenever I chose to do something? Need a chef's hat to cookout, a UPS uniform to bring home a package, Driving gloves, shoes and helmet for the trip to the grocery store in a car... If you saw the Lance on a fixie thread it's obvious that the pros don't dress like that when they are out havng a good time...

What threads are those? Other than in the road forum, where fashion is king, the majority seem to like dissing 'lycra super heros'.

FYI, Lance wasn't about to don bibs and a jersey to go riding with the Mash crew. When in Rome...

Bottom line, wear what you want and let others do the same. ;)

I didn't know where to post this, and since this is where I "hang out", here goes---Today while on my local MUP I watched a pack [5] ride past me, all in full racing attire. Kinda figured these type of dudes wouldn't be caught dead on an MUP. Don't they call it "the granny trail"? I admit I don't own any bike racing stuff--still jeans and sweatshirt--but when I'm push'n it, I do it on the road, the MUP is more for relaxing. I was laughing too hard to get the camera out in time

This post is really sad. Judging people because they do not dress like you. You have no idea where they were going or where they have been but you see fit to judge them all the same.

In the Philadelphia, the pro teams frequently use the river trail bike paths prior to the Philadelphia International Championships in June. I've talked to some of the riders and they say it's not a "training" ride for them. Rather, it's a relaxed ride to loosen up. Keep in mind that a relaxed ride for them can still be 18 to 20 mph. And, Frankly, I'd much sooner have a pack of them pass me than local wannabe riders who don't have the handling skills these pros do.

I've read a bunch of these threads and don't understand them. So I have to don the dress of a professional whenever I chose to do something? Need a chef's hat to cookout, a UPS uniform to bring home a package, Driving gloves, shoes and helmet for the trip to the grocery store in a car... If you saw the Lance on a fixie thread it's obvious that the pros don't dress like that when they are out havng a good time...

I think those are poor examples. There are some sports for which the sport specific clothing makes a very big difference in performance. Bowling comes to mind. I can better execute the proper approach, release, and delivery with bowling shoes than without them. Tennis also comes to mind. Yes, I can play tennis in running shoes, but the shoes designed specifically for tennis will allow me to perform better, with more comfort, and safety. Come to think of it, your cooking example isn't completely off. No, you don't have to wear a chef's hat, but if you might choose to wear an apron to keep your clothing clean and/or pull your hair back to keep it out of the food. There are some legitimate functional reasons for wearing cycling specific clothing. Using Lance as an example is a bit misleading. When he wants his best performance, I'd venture a guess that he wears clothing that will help him achieve this. If I want my best performance, I'll pick clothing that will contribute to it. Conversely, If I'm riding to the local market with my niece to pick up a few things, I'll wear clothing appropriate for that task.

Now in terms of the UPS uniform... thanks for the idea! I think I'll talk with my wife about doing a bit of fantasy play if I can get my hands on a UPS uniform....:)

My club occasionally starts a ride on a MUP. The MUP takes us out of town and then we turn off onto country roads. So what?

One of the things that defines pousers is their ability to look down the nose at people who are not like them..................:innocent:

I've read a bunch of these threads and don't understand them. So I have to don the dress of a professional whenever I chose to do something? Need a chef's hat to cookout, a UPS uniform to bring home a package, Driving gloves, shoes and helmet for the trip to the grocery store in a car... If you saw the Lance on a fixie thread it's obvious that the pros don't dress like that when they are out havng a good time...

I like to wear a swimsuit when I swim.

I wore my black, gold and white Stark Velo team kit on my ride last night in support of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I must have been "Super Poseur" deck out in "race day attire".

Is Mormon attire ok for cylists?

I think we're all leaving out something very important: what color were their bikes?

Would my 50+ jersey count as team kit?

Is Mormon attire ok for cyclists?

What did you have in mind?

Plenty of very fast cyclists blow by me every day on the MUP. They dress appropriately and aren't doing any type of "Granny ride".

One of the things that defines poseurs is their ability to look down the nose at people who are not like them....

Yes. Well said.

Plenty of very fast cyclists blow by me every day on the MUP. They dress appropriately and aren't doing any type of "Granny ride".
+1. I like some of our local MUPs because I can ride for miles without worrying about traffic. I ride fairly quickly (for me) and frequently get passed by very fast riders in "full kit." I wear bike shorts, wickable MTB style loose shirts, and biking gloves. I am much more comfortable in that get up than a pair of regular shorts and a cotton T-shirt. I only wear street clothes if I am going out for less than 5 or so miles - like running errands.

Sticks and stones, children!
Don't make me change my tone of voice!
Cyclists come in all flavors, but we're all cyclists.

Multi Use Path; A road, trail or path intended for bicycling , jogging, walking, etc.

Thanks!

and let me say this please,,,,using words like poser and Fred are just a way of people saying that they are better than someone else. What does it matter as long as we are out there riding. Doesn't bother me (and it shouldn't) what you wear or what you ride. Let's get out and ride even if it's a team kit on a 3 wheeler.

I plan to have my name legally changed to Fred Poser, or perhaps Poser Fred, or maybe even Fredrick Poseur. I just have to make up my mind.

I don't know where to go with this.....:D

Poseur extraordinaire. :D

BTW, I rarely ride in anything but bib shorts and a "colorful" jersey. Why be uncomfortable when you ride?

Don't make me tell you what got rubbed raw the last time I rode 6 miles in street clothes. :mad:

I like to wear a swimsuit when I swim.

I prefer to go commando...but it's not a pretty picture...

I plan to have my name legally changed to Fred Poser, or perhaps Poser Fred, or maybe even Fredrick Poseur. I just have to make up my mind.

go with Frederick Poseur... it'll look really good in the magazines when you do the TDF! Everyone will think you are a "continental" (no, not the schwinn.)

be well,

just jim

I wear what is clean and appropriate for the temperature of the day. I like cycling specific clothes as they wick properly, I like good quality shorts and jerseys as the feel good against the skin and don't pull at me. I will sometimes wear a colorful team jersey when I want to look sharp on a group ride and I will ride the bike path as fast as I can when I am doing a training ride. Guess you can call me a Pouser - thats Mr. P to you!

This post is really sad. Judging people because they do not dress like you. You have no idea where they were going or where they have been but you see fit to judge them all the same.

I agree. The attitude of the OP exceeds the arrogance of any racer-wannbe I have encountered.

I was riding on the MUP with my kids when my daughter told me that the woman we just passed had made some sort of snide comment about my lycra cycling shorts. This woman had any number of personal attributes that I could have ridiculed, but the idea never occurred to me. But I had noticed she was wearing some sort of walking shorts that were all bunched up at her saddle, and I thought how uncomfortable that must be.

At 50, the time for me to wear something uncomfortable because people might think I look funny has long past. I ride far enough that saddle sores are a distinct possibility, and would be a certainty without cycling shorts. A cycling jersey is the most practical shirt to wear, you can carry cash, food, and cellphone without risking losing any of them.

I don't care what I look like when I ride, and even more than that I don't care what anyone thinks I look like when I ride. It doesn't matter. I ride in bike gear. Tight on the road bike, a little looser on the mountain bike. The atire I dress in suits its purpose. On the road I'm fast for an overweight, over 50 guy. On the trail I'm slow and very much a new work in progress. So if you see a old guy blasting past you in Mapei team jersey, or an 50+, or my personal favorite Team Poseur, that's me. Point and make fun, I don't care, it's not why I ride. In the end it doesn't matter because there's always someone else faster, younger, better looking, slimmer, richer, smater, but there is no one else having as much fun on two wheels as I do. When it stops being fun, I'll stop. I'm king of the MUP

http://mysite.verizon.net/jayandriot/Poseur.jpg

Here's a nice bright green cotton "Team Fred" t-shirt. I like how so many things come together in this shirt.

Problem is, if I wore it on the rail trails, almost no one would know what it means.

So I am a poser I have a bright yellow TDF like shirt I where sometimes

CAUSE CARS SEE ME BETTER :P

http://mysite.verizon.net/jayandriot/Poseur.jpg

glad to see that things don;t change much... as in the every 3 mos. post from someone whose too kool for lycra.
on moto forums, its the "slower than me and you're a 'poseur' - faster than me and you must be an F-in Squid!"

appropriate attire for cycling - WHO CARES? do whatever turns your cranks

however I'm very happy that the Ladies continue to embrace lycra in a BIG way! Life is good!

AND

This Jersey is awesome!:love: I NEED one! I haven't had a French Team jersey in years! I'm really wearing out my 'crash test dummy' and 'hippie TieDye' jerseys and need some more variety (50+ jersey will be fun - but we REALLY need a 60+ also... don;t know iff'n I can wait for Curtis to pop the 60 balloon :twitchy: )
WHERE DO I GET THIS ONE?????

EDIT: DANG! Thanks BE for Yahoo! Here yit yiss!
http://www.elevengear.us/poseur.html - a lil spencil, but what the hell, I haven't bought a tank of gas since Mid-Auggie, so I guess I have some devalued Dollarez burnin a hole in the lycra...

it isn't every 3 months, it's almost daily. That, and "roadies ate my cheerios"
I swear there averages more than one post a day to the effect that cyclists don't wave.

How many of us, when were were younger had uniforms like little league, high school football, track, basketball, or even a few baseball caps of our local big city team?

Those days are filled with some pretty good memories. Now, with the bike riding, its also going to be good memories regardless of what we wear but the bike will matter. That machine is like our first car or first muscle car or first corvette or first Harley.

I'm torn between TEAM FRED and POSEUR CHARLATAN.