Road Cycling - Should I care?

Someone I have a friendship with on a professional (a non cyclist) level told me the other day, "Remember what you thought about how road cyclist looked like to you a long time ago before you were one? Well that's how the majority of the public sees you today!" That comment really bothered me, I saw a gay Tinker Bell and Peter Pan with a helmet! OMG! The clothing bothers me when the neighbours are all all out in the evening and here I am, mid 40's, home owner, in tights, a wild jersey and helmet on a bicycle leaving from my driveway, and wonder what they think of me! Then I'm out on the streets and feel just fine with all of it. Sometimes I ride at night just to not have them see me! Am I alone on this or is anyone else self conscience about it? What should I do? They are still very friendly to me but I'm starting to wonder if they think I'm weird, like a kid that hasn't grown up yet? Is this normal? I need to get over this fast!

To be honest, I really don't let what people think bother me all that much. For one thing, it's just about impossible to gauge anyway. Just how does your friend know what "the majority of the public thinks"? Has he asked them? Or is he just referring to his relatively small circle of friends? Not that it matters either way. I've long believed that people's opinion on any particular issue tells you more about the people than the issue in anycase.

I saw a gay Tinker Bell and Peter Pan with a helmet! OMG!

I think of Tinker Bell and Peter Pan when I imagine what a Vegan looks like.
Just kidding.
Why let it bother you? I don't dress like a cyclist when I go out riding and I wish I could afford the padded cycling shorts, dri-fit jersey, cycling shoes and a $200 Giro helmet. But I can't so I look like a half-assed wannabe.

Just imagine a 215lb fat guy in lycra, goatee on a 30 year old bike. That would be me. Now, to me, that is a far better image than the 340lb guy in sweats sitting on the couch watching TV. Which, by the way, was what looked back at me in the mirror for many years!

I'll take looking like a "fairy" or "gay" over looking like a "dead man sitting" any day of the week.

Besides. I think you would be disappointed to find out how few people actually even notice you in your cycling kit.

To answer your question, NO. Why should you care what they think about your cycling attire? Just go out and ride. Enjoy it! And don't give this a second thought.

Bob

I think people respect a guy wearing full cycling gear as oppose to a normal joe riding a bike just to get somewhere.

I think of Tinker Bell and Peter Pan when I imagine what a Vegan looks like.
Just kidding.
Why let it bother you? I don't dress like a cyclist when I go out riding and I wish I could afford the padded cycling shorts, dri-fit jersey, cycling shoes and a $200 Giro helmet. But I can't so I look like a half-assed wannabe.
Hey hey hey now... you have the wrong idea about vegans! you don't want me to end up with a complex do you!? lol

One of the few nice things (very few at that) about hitting mid 40's is that I could give a rat's hindquarters what anyone else thinks about me. It just doesn't matter, and is no longer important in the grand scheme of things. I'm the only person I feel motivated to impress anymore. Geez, why couldn't I have that peace of mind when I was in my 20's?

Having said that, I still can't bring myself to get out on the road in shiny lycra. When I can average 25mph for an hour, I'll start wearing the full kit.

One of the few nice things (very few at that) about hitting mid 40's is that I could give a rat's hindquarters what anyone else thinks about me. It just doesn't matter, and is no longer important in the grand scheme of things. I'm the only person I feel motivated to impress anymore. Geez, why couldn't I have that peace of mind when I was in my 20's?

I'm 27 and I've had that piece of mind since about 1997.

haha I know how you feel. I worry but at the same time, I take pride in myself. I know lots of people who can't or won't get on a bike. Only the select few (us) can do what we do. Some people can draw pictures, some people can play the guitar, some people build fast cars...well we ride some of the baddest bikes ever built!

Why should you worry about what they think of you? Most of my neighbors are over weight and wish they can get on a bike. They're afraid to be away from home unless they can drive their cars. And I see what they look like in street clothes, seeing them in tights would really be a scary thing! When I see my neighbors, I think they are thinking, "I wish I could be out there riding!" :p

The clothing bothers me when the neighbours are all all out in the evening and here I am, mid 40's, home owner, in tights, a wild jersey and helmet on a bicycle leaving from my driveway, and wonder what they think of me! Then I'm out on the streets and feel just fine with all of it.

I know what they think of me at 64yo and my wife at 66.

They think, "Oh oh, there goes those Foxes again, getting exercise and doing things that I can't even start to do. Darn!"

And you know what? A bunch of our neighbors have started walking for exercise. And you know why? Because of my wife's and my example. The guy directly across the street has lost about 60 pounds. I may have saved his life!

And a couple have started to bike.

Keep up the good work.

The morons that think we look funny in our cycling clothes are not worth worring about.

Well, we're all the sum of a lot of different factors. I don't expect all of my friends to agree with all of my views on politics, religion, diet or what I choose to do as a hobby. Truth is, I think that too much agreement would be boreing. I don't want the people around me copying everything I do.

I think people respect a guy wearing full cycling gear as oppose to a normal joe riding a bike just to get somewhere.

i don't.

i love bike clothes. whenever i see roadies in the city i check them out with full admiration whether they're a cute girl in some team jersey or a slightly stout older guy on a twenty year old trek. i love the look of somebody in a simple pearl outfit on a decent road bike and i love the look of the racers out training. what i'm saying is this: the aesthetics of cycling and cycling apparel are a big plus for me as opposed to something i need to reconcile.

if anything, i'm a bit snobbish about non-roadies and folks on bikes in street clothes (with the exception of short range commuters i guess). while biking is better than not biking, the past ten years or so have seen such an explosion of mtb purchases - i dunno how to say it - i just don't buy the idea that mtb's have their place on paved roads. i can't count the number of times i've heard the 'potholes' argument as a justification for riding around on some dual suspension huffy with knobby tires or a hybrid with a suspension seatpost and the bars as high as a beach cruiser.

the look of these other bikes in a road context is just so backward to me - when i get passed by a mtb and the rider looks really strong my first thought is always "that's too bad: if they had a roadbike then they'd _really be fast".

there are two other looks i like apart from the roadie look. one is the indie trackbike look and the other is the manhattan supermodel on an antique 3 speed look - every city seems to have a few of those. roadies are still my fave though. a cute girl roadie is the cutest thing ever.

I too am a fan of the cute girl roadie.

As far as my cycling clothing, etc. I wear stupid bright shirts because I want the moron drivers (not all drivers are morons I know) to see me before I get run down. When I was hit in Sept. I was wearing just a plain light grey t-shirt. While I'm not saying that's why I was hit (she never looked left and rolled through a stop sign!) I'm sure it didn't help.

I'm 30, married, and could care less what I look like. Hell, I even have brown shoes with black socks on right now.

PJ

Hell, I even have brown shoes with black socks on right now.

Wait! That's a fashion no-no? Oh well...

Someone I have a friendship with on a professional (a non cyclist) level told me the other day, "Remember what you thought about how road cyclist looked like to you a long time ago before you were one? Well that's how the majority of the public sees you today!" That comment really bothered me, I saw a gay Tinker Bell and Peter Pan with a helmet! OMG! The clothing bothers me when the neighbours are all all out in the evening and here I am, mid 40's, home owner, in tights, a wild jersey and helmet on a bicycle leaving from my driveway, and wonder what they think of me! Then I'm out on the streets and feel just fine with all of it. Sometimes I ride at night just to not have them see me! Am I alone on this or is anyone else self conscience about it? What should I do? They are still very friendly to me but I'm starting to wonder if they think I'm weird, like a kid that hasn't grown up yet? Is this normal? I need to get over this fast!

Mid 40s, home owner, driveway... Let me guess, 2.3 kids? You're a suburban white guy; the dorkiest thing on the planet! You couldn't be any =less= cool. Unless you think you think you still have a shot with 20 year old soriority girls, give it up and make peace with yourself. And yes, I'm a suburban white guy in lycra too.

Boy,he speaks for alot of people,do they know that?

Mid 40s, home owner, driveway... Let me guess, 2.3 kids? You're a suburban white guy; the dorkiest thing on the planet! You couldn't be any =less= cool. Unless you think you think you still have a shot with 20 year old soriority girls, give it up and make peace with yourself. And yes, I'm a suburban white guy in lycra too.
Now that you have shown your prejudice to all that read, believe it or not dude, you can be in your mid forties and be none of what you just described! Your text and photo (lol), fit well together! BTW, I is white, but I is friends with many BLACK home owners, many actually do buy houses! I live in the inner city with *no wife*, not the burbs and love it, and I'm anything but a "dork";no one believes my age, and yes I've 'had' women (girls) half my age! And I don't plan on changing! Oh, and my son (only kid) is white too!

As far as my cycling clothing, etc. I wear stupid bright shirts because I want the moron drivers (not all drivers are morons I know) to see me before I get run down.

PJ

YES - and there is some pretty good research what shows that a solid color bright shirt is much more "seeable" by drivers than shirts with many colors and designs, which tend more to act like camouflage.
.


Hell, I even have brown shoes with black socks on right now.

So? :D I wear black shoes with brown socks. Is that OK?

i used to be kind of timid when i first started wearing lycra. the timidness stopped when i sprinted pass somebody driving on my street. suddenly everybody didnt give me the looks anymore (one guy on my street actually cheers when im giving it my all)

If you go through life worried sick about what other people think, or if you let stupid comments bother you, then you might as well buy a stationary bike and stay inside.

I am 58 years old, stand 6'3" tall and weigh 240 lbs. I wear lycra bib shorts, wild, bright jerseys and ride in broad daylight. I could not care less what my neighbors think. I love to ride and the clothing I choose make it more comfortable and safer.

Hey thanks you guys!!! most of you have brought up some very good points; thanks for the comments and I smacked myself a few times since yesterday. As I said, it's just the neighbours that bug me, but it was so very strange, this morning while I was setting up the sprinkler for the grass a lady from across the street came by with something sticking out of a bag and asked me if I could use a bicycle tire pump! I told her no but thanks, (I saw the wooden handle and figured no way) and she explained, "I use to have a bike but had to get rid of it" and she looked down to the sidewalk quite sad. We chatted and she left. Ended up doing a 65mile solo ride today and I stopped at a cafe for a great cup of coffee and a couple women sitting at a table outside moved next to mine just to talk with me! Im sitting there soaking wet and had on one of my favorite wild jersey. It seemed like they were tickled that I would joke around with them; I know they were impressed. I think I'm ok now! thanks so much! bye....

Now that you have shown your prejudice to all that read, believe it or not dude, you can be in your mid forties and be none of what you just described! Your text and photo (lol), fit well together! BTW, I is white, but I is friends with many BLACK home owners, many actually do buy houses! I live in the inner city with *no wife*, not the burbs and love it, and I'm anything but a "dork";no one believes my age, and yes I've 'had' women (girls) half my age! And I don't plan on changing! Oh, and my son (only kid) is white too!

What prejudice? Do you even know what that means? He didn't mention anything about blacks not owning homes.

I've gotta admit, wearing the gear sometimes still bothers me, even after all these years. If a non-cyclist wonders why I wear the stuff I tell them the truth: the shorts and shoes are a given (regarding comfort and efficiency), and I wear the top mainly for the fantastic pockets, but also for the bright colours.

"Remember what you thought about how road cyclist looked like to you a long time ago before you were one?

It's amazing how those prejudices that we unknowingly carry around come back to bite us in big way :eek: You know the ones: I'll never do that.... or, how can someone look like..., or, something
right up your alley, how could someone give up meat???

Your manner of dress isn't the issue, the way you used to think about it, is. Wear your gear proudly, you
have earned it. To heck with all those idiots and their prejudices.

Someone I have a friendship with on a professional (a non cyclist) level told me the other day, "Remember what you thought about how road cyclist looked like to you a long time ago before you were one? Well that's how the majority of the public sees you today!"I need to get over this fast!

I'm the same way and now I dress so I'm not an easy target.

People raz ya at things that are illogical. Why do people make fun of those wild shirts with camaflage and advertising? YET those construction guys with those loud orange vests are OK! Cuz they know, it's for safety. Wanna be safe? Copy the colors of those road crews.

Peole make fun of smelly, dripping wet joggers and cyclists when they come into the grocery for a drink? Why? Cuz most people shop with a clean body/appearance. Wanna duck raz'n in a store? Comb yr' head and slip on a light wt jacket or shirt when you arrive. Cool down a few min. before arriving at the store.

I could go on...but you get the idea.

God,i work at a K-5 school. All i hear is how i dress,hair on my arms,dont you ever shave,your teeth are dirty,you have a thing on your face,you wear the same cloths everyday,you dont shower,over and over and over,every single day. You name it,they say it. Hell if they ask if i'm married and i tell them yes and have 2 girls,they call me a lair. Laugh it off and dont worry about it. A clown looks funny to others but not to other clowns.

I'll join the parade here - mid-40's and in the burbs. Some people around here probably think I am nuts. I just enjoy riding past the various ice cream stands in the summer time on long rides and think about the choices we all make in how we spend our time!

And for every person who thinks I look like a Tinkerbell, there are 10 who say I look 5-10 years younger than I am!

Before I got into racing, I thought that road bikers in full gear looked cool.

I still snicker at joggers though. :) None of them ever look like they're enjoying the experience.

That comment really bothered me, I saw a gay Tinker Bell and Peter Pan with a helmet! OMG! The clothing bothers me when the neighbours are all all out in the evening and here I am, mid 40's, home owner, in tights, a wild jersey and helmet on a bicycle leaving from my driveway, and wonder what they think of me!

What the heck is wrong with Americans? They are so obsessed with homosexuality, their great fear is being taken for Gay. While other nations from Brazil to Belgium are moving toward equal rights for gay people, the USA is moving in the opposite direction as witnessed by the US Senate debating the FMA next week. If the act of riding your bike in standard roadie gear makes you feel like your neighbors are thinking you are Gay, learn some compassion from it: This is what Gay people have to live with 24/7.

Rich

High school and college wrestlers wear tights. No one would dare call them Tinker Bells.

What the heck is wrong with Americans? They are so obsessed with homosexuality, their great fear is being taken for Gay. While other nations from Brazil to Belgium are moving toward equal rights for gay people, the USA is moving in the opposite direction as witnessed by the US Senate debating the FMA next week. If the act of riding your bike in standard roadie gear makes you feel like your neighbors are thinking you are Gay, learn some compassion from it: This is what Gay people have to live with 24/7.

Rich

Are you telling us that you're gay?
Gay marriages are allowed here in Ontario.

Edit: Ontario rather L:)

Gay Peter Pan and Tinkerbell here....


http://www.pixyland.org/peterpan/petersFashionPage.html

Gay Peter Pan and Tinkerbell here....


http://www.pixyland.org/peterpan/petersFashionPage.html

Sheesh. Cut the guy a break. You know what he's trying to say. Just help him out without getting de-railed.

Are you telling us that you're gay?
Gay marriages are allowed here in Ontario.

Edit: Ontario rather L:)

Do I have to be Gay to make those comments? Now that you may have answered, "Well . . . no," I will tell you that I am Gay.

I was only talking about the USA. Canada is way ahead of us down here, south of the border. When I said "Americans," I meant to describe only people in the USA. It's unfortunate that this word seems to imply that only people from the USA are Americans, but there is no other regularly used adjective to describe folks from down here.

Rich

Do I have to be Gay to make those comments? Now that you may have answered, "Well . . . no," I will tell you that I am Gay.

Got no problems with that.


It's unfortunate that this word seems to imply that only people from the USA are Americans, but there is no other regularly used adjective to describe folks from down here.

:P

Sheesh. Cut the guy a break. You know what he's trying to say. Just help him out without getting de-railed.

Nope. I can't cut a break for that kind of turn of phrase which shows disrespect for Gay people. What I know he's trying to say and what you know he's trying to say, can be very different. It's all in the words and who is reading them.

Rich

Sheesh. Cut the guy a break. You know what he's trying to say. Just help him out without getting de-railed.



That URL was in posted reference to the gay peter pan statement made in the first post, and was for humor only. It was in no way meant to offend, ridicule, discriminate, tease, titillate, empower, sway, influence, astonish, or lead anyone on. Avatars however, are not encouraged.

(No men in page boy haircuts, wearing baby blue chiffon and lace were harmed in the making of this post,offer available with approved credit only, tax,tag and title not included, dealer keeps all rebates)


Those of you who wonder why I had this URL, I have a friend in CA, who enjoys photoshopping people heads onto this guys body. I think I will have him put this guy on a TREK. Now thats an Avatar.

Just imagine a 215lb fat guy in lycra, goatee on a 30 year old bike. That would be me. Now, to me, that is a far better image than the 340lb guy in sweats sitting on the couch watching TV. Which, by the way, was what looked back at me in the mirror for many years!

I'll take looking like a "fairy" or "gay" over looking like a "dead man sitting" any day of the week.

Besides. I think you would be disappointed to find out how few people actually even notice you in your cycling kit.

To answer your question, NO. Why should you care what they think about your cycling attire? Just go out and ride. Enjoy it! And don't give this a second thought.

Bob

I'm with Bob on this one. I was wearing lycra at about 280 lbs. Now, at 160, I think I look pretty damned good. I mean, really, why should we give two $hits what a bunch of redneck (at least in my area) as$holes think about how we look? Let them squeeze their pickup truck-driving Budweiser bellies in some lycra and see who looks better!

Someone I have a friendship with on a professional (a non cyclist) level told me the other day, "Remember what you thought about how road cyclist looked like to you a long time ago before you were one? Well that's how the majority of the public sees you today!" That comment really bothered me, I saw a gay Tinker Bell and Peter Pan with a helmet! OMG! The clothing bothers me when the neighbours are all all out in the evening and here I am, mid 40's, home owner, in tights, a wild jersey and helmet on a bicycle leaving from my driveway, and wonder what they think of me! Then I'm out on the streets and feel just fine with all of it. Sometimes I ride at night just to not have them see me! Am I alone on this or is anyone else self conscience about it? What should I do? They are still very friendly to me but I'm starting to wonder if they think I'm weird, like a kid that hasn't grown up yet? Is this normal? I need to get over this fast!

If someone said that to me, I would take it as a compliment. Then again, I've always had a healthy respect for what it takes to be a decent "roadie". I guess if you used to (and apparently still do) think we (roadies) look gay or whatever then you might feel different. I think you need to re-examine your motivations for riding the bike; maybe its not for you. You seem to have some issues that need worked out before you will thouroughly enjoy the experience. Maybe you need to go to the gym and throw some weights around so you can feel like a real man.

I guess I should also tell you how "the majority of the public" sees homophobes: as homosexuals in denial.
The again, I wouldn't worry about what "the majoiry of the public" think anyway. "The majority of the public" are a bunch of fat, brain-dead sheep.

Personally, I've never been ashamed of how I look. Cycling and running have given me a long, lean, strong body that I'm not afraid to show. The only jeers I get are from envious redneck idiots; I consider the source. I get quite a few cat-calls and whistles from females passing in cars. I get carded when purchasing alcohol though I am almost 30. I went back to my high school reunion and I was one of the few that didn't look as though I had "swelled" if you know what I mean. A lot of them told me I look like I just like I did in high school, only better.

Just my $0.02,

- Buddy Lee

I think I look cool in my roadie gear, of course, I think I look cool all the time.

If I like it, I do it. I think I look cool, the lycra is comfy, screw those who disagree.

Fact is, they themselves, the global "others," have considred a lot of things you/we do, and for whatever reason, chose not to. Big deal. Whatever. A lot of what you perceive, the looks, the thoughts, are probably imagined, anyway. I think most people are like me, they couldn't care less about what I do, so long as it doesn't interfere with their lives.

I like wearing the gear and think that am in the mindset that if you want to be a true roadie wear the gear. It is also much more comfortable and efficient. Plus who cares what anyone else thinks about you as long as you know why your wearing the stuff who cares. And if you reply to these comments without getting defensive it actually makes the person who made the comment feel stupid.

When the Road World Championships came to my city last fall most of the girls 'round here seemed pretty impressed. I'm of the opinion that tight clothing is more than appropriate if you've got the body to show it off. And doing 65 mile solo rides on a regular basis ought to do that pretty damn well.

If it bothers you though, just go in whatever you want. A pair of cutoff camo shorts and a tee shirt seem to suit me just fine. It's what's under the shorts that really matters...

Sheesh. Cut the guy a break. You know what he's trying to say. Just help him out without getting de-railed.

I'm talking about the orginal question. Meaning drop the politcals and help answer the question. Thanks heaps.

I don't really care what others think I look like in my cycling clothes, that's their personal problem. As long as they give me my right of way on the road I'm happy. I have "hovered" at around 235-245 pounds for quite a few years. I'm 5'10" tall, and have dropped below the 200 pound mark now. At the end of my diabetes charity ride in May, I had a slight tailwind, and was cranking along at an average of 23 mph. An SUV pulled alongside and two girls on the passenger side yelled "Nice Arse". Then the girl in front turned and listened to something Mom, who was driving, was saying. She then very seriously yelled at me "Are you single?". At 50 years old, they can say anything they want, but when they ask questions like that what they REALLY think comes out.