wombat94

Amen to that. I think in running circles, the longer the distance of the event, the more egalitarian the people who participate in it become. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to run a half marathon, marathon or ultra marathon event... EVERYONE who finishes is a winner and truly a runner.

MRT2

1.At the risk of getting further away from the original topic, I would say there is no reason you can't be a "real cyclist" whether you ride professionally, join a club, or ride solo or with family.

2. That being said, there are some who overestimate thier abilities, or underestimate them. Thus, you do get a larger percentage of people who show up on the MUP who aren't especially good cyclists, usually they progress rapdly, but some don't, and their bikes lead very pampered lives, hanging in garages, or in basements. These people are your friend when they decide to sell their bikes, if you are looking for a second, or third bike, or perhaps something for your wife or kids to ride. Perhaps the same is true of runners, IDK. O

3. On the other hand, others underestimate their "real cycliness" because they aren't especially into gear or kit. I ran into this the other day when I ran into a professional colleague who led a group of 12 year olds and rode the entire Sparta Elroy trail on an old comfort hybrid. He modestly said he isn't a "real cyclist", to which I told him not to sell himself short. 30 plus miles on gravel and crushed limestone early in the season on an old hybrid shows pretty good cycling fitness, at least in my book.

4. Just as there is a snobbery in biking, there is an equally annoying reverse snobbery against useful cycling accessories like lycra shorts, jerseys, gloves and shoes. At least cycling people who wear that stuff actually ride. How many grown men wear replica baseball or football jerseys, or caps, who haven't stepped on a gridiron or baseball diamond ever? Lot of golfers are into gear, as are motorcycle riders (and even some nonriders).

Pamestique 

What is a cyclist "real" or not: Someone who enthusiatically enjoys the sport. SOmeone who gets out more than holidays or summer vacations and anyone who owns lycra and is not afraid to wear it. Conversely I also ride in regular shirts and shorts at times and am not ashamed.

I am hardly a gung ho, race Cat 2, do time trials and centuries each weekend rider; and am in fact a recreational rider but I do consider myself a real cyclist and am proud of the fact. I own a few more bikes than most people, have more cycling clothes than street clothes and can tune a bike and change a flat... Neil, how close to that are you?

PS: The world is filled with folks who think of themselves as real cyclists but are hardly that - they display no road/trail equiette, ride way beyond their abilities and are clueless how to maintain a bike; even lube a chain. Neil you are way closer to a real cyclists than most of the idiots riding out there today.

Doohickie

See, I don't see cycling as a sport. I don't compete.

I rarely wear Lycra.

Why would you be ashamed to where "regular" clothes?



The reason Neil B is seen as some sort of "dark Overlord" (his term, not mine), is that he posts stuff that's divisive. He posted the article in this thread with a title saying "You're Stupid". Divisive? Yes. He uses terms like "real cyclists". Divisive? Yes. He just seems to come across like he's spoiling for a fight. Then he plays the innocent victim.

MRT2

Cycling is different things for different people. Individual sport, team sport, exercise, leisure activity, and hobby. Absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing any or all of these.

Doohickie

Precisely.

chasm54

I have no dog in this fight, but it seems pretty obvious to me that NeilB uses the term "real cyclist" in an ironic sense to disparage those who promote elitist stereotypes. And this thread is certainly reinforcing one stereotype - we Brits have long known that Americans, in general, don't get irony.

Edit: for the avoidance of doubt, this last was supposed to be humorous, in a dry, xenophobic, British sort of way....

Shakeyone

Wow this topic drifted all over the place... Sounds like we drifted back to that WSJ article topic. I do see the elite cyclist issue and I think to me its mostly cause a "shirt" (jersey) costs $100 or the thousands its costs for a complete Dura ace groupset, cycling is crazy freaken expensive and those people that spend 15K on a TDF level bike dont want to be classed with the guy who payed 119 dollars for a bike at walmart but he rides 7 days a week loosing weight like mad and having fun doing it.

I am assuming the reason you don't see it as much in running is all you need is an extra pair of shoes, at the most $150, and will last all season, where a hardcore rider will spend that on tubes, patch kits, co2 carts and a frame pump.

When you have an activity like this your going to see it. Its human nature / class warfare or whatever else you want to call it. If you want to enjoy cycling drop the lables go have fun, and F**K anyone else that doesnt like how you roll.

chefisaac

b-r-a-v-o!!!!!

PhotoJoe 

OK, I think this thread has run it's course.