Advice - bicycle, cycle, bike?
08-13-09, 05:29 PM
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Advice - bicycle, cycle, bike?
Advice - bicycle, cycle, bike?
I am still doing some writing.
https://www.ourwebs.info/bicyclingaboutparkerindex.htm
I know that "real bikers" ride motorcycels, or so I think.
So, when writing a paragraph in a bicycling-specific article referring to bicycles, should I always say
"It is fun to ride your bicycle on trails"
or would this be allowed
"It is fun to ride your bike on trails"
or, what about
"It is fun to ride your cycle on trails"
Now, please, someone, don't start a debate over whether or not it is fun to ride your XXX on trails.
I am still doing some writing.
https://www.ourwebs.info/bicyclingaboutparkerindex.htm
I know that "real bikers" ride motorcycels, or so I think.
So, when writing a paragraph in a bicycling-specific article referring to bicycles, should I always say
"It is fun to ride your bicycle on trails"
or would this be allowed
"It is fun to ride your bike on trails"
or, what about
"It is fun to ride your cycle on trails"
Now, please, someone, don't start a debate over whether or not it is fun to ride your XXX on trails.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 08-14-09 at 06:20 AM.
08-13-09, 05:45 PM
#2
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I would say since it is in a bicycling-specific article , say bike. They will know what you are talking about. jmho
08-13-09, 05:56 PM
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Hi,
IMHO, 'bike' or 'bicycle' are fine in this context. 'Biker' is not OK when talking about cyclists.
IMHO, 'bike' or 'bicycle' are fine in this context. 'Biker' is not OK when talking about cyclists.
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Thanks.
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Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
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08-13-09, 06:00 PM
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Once you've eliminated all possible confusion (by reference to bicycles, placement of the piece, etc.) use bike and bicycle as you like. "Cycle" as a noun, however, does not bring a vehicle immediately to mind.
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08-13-09, 08:16 PM
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As a long time biker (before returning to bicycling) we called the geeks in spandex 
"bikees".
"bikees".
08-13-09, 08:21 PM
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I think you need to depend on common sense and context. There will be times when "bike" means "motorcycle."
08-13-09, 11:07 PM
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08-14-09, 10:32 AM
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I once spent an interesting 20 minutes with one of my customers talking about Bike rides. We both do about 40 miles on a Sunday- have to find a decent cafe for Breakfast and both of us prefer the Hills on the coast. In fact we ride the same hills so I am worried that I have never spotted him out on rides. He admitted that he hasn't been out recently due to the bearings being shot in his back wheel so I mentioned that I do all my own maintenance and rear hubs are easy enough to rebuild if you have the right tools. So I could loan him the right sze cone spanners- I asked him what make of hub?
HONDA.
That's what happens when you talk about bikes. So I always qualify it by calling my hobby Cycling.
HONDA.
That's what happens when you talk about bikes. So I always qualify it by calling my hobby Cycling.
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08-14-09, 10:47 AM
#18
Spin Meister
>not "biker"<
Not so fast. It's appropriate to call someone who rides a mountain bike a "mountain biker." Not "mountain cyclist" or "mountain cycler" or "mountain bicyclist."
Not so fast. It's appropriate to call someone who rides a mountain bike a "mountain biker." Not "mountain cyclist" or "mountain cycler" or "mountain bicyclist."
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This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
08-14-09, 12:54 PM
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You are presenting something different than the OP. You have added a modifier that changes the meaning. Even then it is not clear cut whether the phrase "mountain biker" refers to a person who rides a pedal powered mountain bike, or one who rides a motorcycle that is specifically configured to ride in the mountains.
In Denver's context "biker" would not be the best choice. On the other hand in your context there would need to be some clarification on just what what was meant. That could be anything from establishing the context in the overall publication to a specific sentence or two defining the term.
Of course, I could be wrong. After all just because I've done a fair bit of editing doesn't mean my style is the OP's style. In the end, as long as he does a decent job of laying a contextual foundation it really doesn't matter what terms he uses. The readers will be able to figure it out without a lot of cerebral strain..
