Jim from Boston

Bike Riding vs Cycling

When it comes to cycling, nothing wrong with either personna.

OldsCOOL

Rather synonymous with us.

h2oxtc

Thank you to all for such a wonderful thread. I've enjoyed reading it's entirety, stopping from time to time to ponder the meanings; at times laughing at the cleverness or humour (Canadian spelling); and mostly just agreeing that it's a joy to be on the bike, pedaling away, regardless of the terminology or definition.

Viking55803

It's funny how this post veered into a discussion of labels, identity and persona, but not surprising. As a non-professional artist I've seen identical discussions over who gets to call themselves an "artist." For some, if you don't sell your art you are not an artist while others argue anyone who makes art is an artist. Then of course you have the general public who love to say things like "That's not art - I could do better than that!" It's same thing with writers. As a published author, do I get to call myself a writer, or is anyone who can write a writer? It's a circular discussion that never goes anywhere.

People with a true passion for anything can easily become real boors - obsessed about the tiniest things and willing to talk endlessly to anyone who will listen about their personal obsession. I think the only way out of this when it comes to identity is to introduce some adjectives: avid, obsessive, passionate, occasional, recreational, professional, serious, dedicated etc. etc. So it then is equally true that anyone who rides a bicycle is a cyclist, and that not all cyclists are easily categorized.

I enjoy stereotypes as much as the next person - if you've ever read the Bike Snob NYC's first book he does a great schtick about how some cyclists think about other cyclists. For example: we don't trust triathletes because their commitment to cycling is completely incidental - if bowling was one leg of a triathlon they would drop cycling in a heartbeat. His other books are boring, but I laughed out loud reading the first one in a hotel room by myself.

tg16

Bowling would have to be at the end of the event since having a beer and a burger is a part of the bowling alley experience.

TCR Rider

As I read Viking's OP I could feel the sense of exhilaration and liberation that riding my bike affords me. Reading through the thread, however, was another story. Are people that insecure and bitter that they have to pass judgement on everyone who takes a different approach to something that we all love - swinging a leg over a bike and riding ourselves wherever and however gives us pleasure.
I came back to the bike when I could no longer run and rediscovered the feeling I experience when my aunt let go of the bike and I was able to stay upright all those years ago. Now I ride an expensive carbon beauty and wear bibs and a cycling jersey when I ride and make no apologies for it and could care less what you think. I don't pass judgement on the soft peddler on the townie or the hammerheads who fly by me. I just want to do my thing and that means push myself to get as much out of these old bones for as long as I can - that's what it takes to scratch my itch.
I'm not laboring under any delusions that I'm anything but an old guy with some physical issues that is fortunate enough to be able to feel normal when I'm on my bike. All that other stuff is just noise and I don't have time for it.

Roadwanderer

Just looking at that makes my back hurt.

texaspandj

Walking thread, zombie alert. Somethings are better left undead.

Jim from Boston

My fault?

FYA, I just posted this morning to this General Cycling Forum thread, ”No more hippies and explorers”

texaspandj

I believe there's another thread similar to these. It could be titled biker vs cyclist.

Jim from Boston

I also posted tis morning (4/13) to the thread, "No more hippies and explorers"

ular7

nice mountain downhill biking..

Roadwanderer

Oops... thought it was the other thread. Sorry.

Kindaslow

Hello,

If you look at the OP of the thread I started, it was and is meant to be fun, silly, funny. The folks who are bike lovers might be bike snobs some days. Who cares, and we should be able to have a little fun (even if at our own expense).

Jim from Boston

Thanks for your note, and I don’t mean to be a Captain Bringdown. I have been a decades-long lifestyle cyclist who started on a 5-speed Schwinn Suburban, now rides a high-end carbon fiber bike, and have been a subscriber to Bike Forums since 2008. It seems to me that over the past year, there have been some threads that seemingly express “Class Envy” among cyclists. It appeared to start last summer with threads disagreeing with and even disdaining expensive bikes, and now even disparaging attitudes among those who ride them.

You may be right, that “bike lovers” (the have-nots) will become “bike snobs” (the one-percenters, in political parlance), just as the YIPPIEs of the 1960’s and 70’s became the YUPPIEs of the ‘80’s. Just sayin’; one man’s opinion; FWIW.

Kindaslow

Thanks. I was not trying to criticize your post, just pointing out that some folks lost the point of the thread.

i do want to point out that I believe there are bike snobs can own inexpensive or expensive bikes, and that bike lovers can own inexpensive or expensive bikes.

The first bike I fell in love with was a yellow BMX bike from Schuck's auto parts. Now, 40ish years later I have five bikes, ranging from expensive to more expensive, and I am still a bike lover!

Monoborracho

I have given numerous talks to civic groups about cycling, safe riding, traffic laws, touring, and have been the ride director for a 500 person or so ride every spring, after being on the Chamber of Commerce board and getting the ride started.

When I give my little slide talk, at the conclusion, I always ask how many thought riding a bike was fun when they were kids. They all hold up their hands. Then I simply state ....IT STILL IS !!......

'nuff said

Every day above ground is a good day.

FrenchFit 

I missed this thread when it was happening, too bad. I'll contribute this picture to the early posters nonetheless.

Frankly, cycling or biking...I think it gets rather boring. Perhaps with gadgets and KOMs you can keep engaged, but it gets old. I suppose that's why kids bikes end up rusting in the back yard.

I'm thinking there must be a evolutionary model at play here, something like the 5 stages of loss & grief. I do like my bikes and I like to ride them, but I can't say it's the most fun I have with my clothes on; any rides over 3 hours is simply lobotomizing. Perhaps my category is "dilettante".

Whatever makes you happy.

tg16

Everybody has a threshold. Its like being with the grand kids. They're wonderful and I love them but there's also a time when I say, let's load up. Your mother wants you back.