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Why is road cycling so political and middle class?

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Why is road cycling so political and middle class?

Old 04-28-14, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Long Tom
It's a geeky sport. The clothing, by any rational measure, is about the geekiEST that there is! Truly goofy looking ensembles we go out in, peeps, and that's just the truth.

Partly because of that I think people buy into the tribal aspects of being so "branded" as goofy-looking by, well, everyone else and get militant about it. "By God, if I'm gonna wear spandex and a diaper in public, I'll be a PROUD member of the diaper-wearing geeks who walk into the cafe on their heels!"

Beyond that, it's the sport where skinny little smart people can actually kick sand in the face of the big lunk football-player types that tormented them in high school.
Good one Tom.
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Old 04-28-14, 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BillyD
Who are you?
Not a huge fan, but I much prefer Baba O'Riley!
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Old 04-28-14, 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by bt
you wouldn't be worried about what people think of you if you knew how seldom they actually do.
Not so. I see everything and judge everybody. All the time. I am one judgmental mofo!
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Old 04-28-14, 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by bt
you wouldn't be worried about what people think of you if you knew how seldom they actually do.
Originally Posted by Machka
+1

And this is very freeing.
Originally Posted by dougclyde
Machka nailed it here. When you can truly not give one half of one rats behind what anyone else thinks of you, or your bike, or your outfit, or heaven forbid your pedals, you can just ride. By all means train, or do your hill repeats, or intervals, or just sit up straight and wave at all the folks on lawnmowers..it doesn't matter!

It applies in non-cycling life too. When you realise how seldom people pay any attention to what you do ... that they rarely give you a second thought ... you can stop worrying about what people will think and start doing what you want to do. It's wonderful!
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Old 04-28-14, 06:08 PM
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Middle class is everything between poverty line and the 1%. That's a very large group. I know people earning in the 1% who you would consider middle class.
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Old 04-28-14, 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Smokehouse
Many hate us because we, as a group, inconvenience them on the roads. To add to that, some of us are FAR worse than others about that too...
I get your point, but I am hesitant to give people a pass just because of that. Lots of people bug the hell out of me, but I don't go doing pompous or rude stuff that are equivalent of placing tacks on the road and the other things people do to cyclists. It drives me crazy that as a normal size person I have to be crammed into a seat when someone whose too big for theirs sits next to me, but we're supposed to be accepting of something 99.9 percent of people -- myself included -- have absolute control over. Add to that, I'm actually paying for that through higher health care costs.

Why do I use that example? To point out that the only difference in whose rights get defended and protected are the ones who stand up for them the most. If we started wearing shirts lampooning or targeting local politicians that introduce stupid laws and organized group rides wearing them, idiot politicos would get nervous and back off a lot of the crazy rules/regulations that have been proposed -- thankfully most not adopted.
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Old 04-28-14, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by BillyD
Who are you?
Originally Posted by rebel1916
Not a huge fan, but I much prefer Baba O'Riley!
That deserved at least a nod, if not a wave.
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Old 04-28-14, 07:20 PM
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It all goes back to the tight pants. The nod came about as a quick glance to check out the other riders junk without being too overt. If you're not wearing tight pants, why would anyone need to get a quick glance at your junk.
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Old 04-28-14, 07:26 PM
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Come on out to Silicon Valley, Road cycling is the sport of choice among the VC crowd, the younger tech guys and many company executives. Definitely not fitting some of the descriptions in this tread.

People are seemingly proud to sport their $10k bikes, walk like ducks and be dressed up in Lycra.

Last edited by EnellCH; 04-28-14 at 07:37 PM.
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Old 04-28-14, 07:49 PM
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Never thought about it. I wave and smile to everyone I come across, ever joggers! Most wave back and smile. I wear the latex shorts. I tried riding in my lightweight slacks a few times; kept getting caught in my chain and the drink caddy. My shirts are $11.00 A4 wicking shirts. No big deal.

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Old 04-28-14, 09:50 PM
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I'm not in to all that crap, lycra, whatever. I get waves from those people, I get more, and sometimes conversation from those who who ride fixies and steel frames, older road bikes, what have you. Nod, wave, don't, idgaf. Sometimes I think they look at me(if they do), judging by my appearance, are just surprised that I know how to ride a road bike. The drops aren't turned up, or other stuff people do to them.
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Old 04-29-14, 05:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Young Version
Nope, sorry. Roadies can be judgmental and elitist--there are numerous threads to illustrate this. I don't think the question is whether or not the OP is getting judged for his attire (likely), but whether he should care or not (nope).

This is true in every sport or hobby. Pretending it doesn't happen in cycling is willful ignorance.

With the possible exception of the Amish and trappist monks, are there many groups in society that can't be judgmental and elitist?

The kind of person who wants an excuse to look down on someone else will do just that, whether they are riding a bike or driving a car or hiking or taking their seat in the theatre.
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Old 04-29-14, 05:14 AM
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Originally Posted by contango
With the possible exception of the Amish and trappist monks, are there many groups in society that can't be judgmental and elitist?

The kind of person who wants an excuse to look down on someone else will do just that, whether they are riding a bike or driving a car or hiking or taking their seat in the theatre.
you don't think that many (not all) of the Amish community don't look down on the mentality of so called modern society with their adherence to technology and associated social cost? Ridiculous. People don't need a reason to discriminate and constantly look for one.
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Old 04-29-14, 05:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
you don't think that many (not all) of the Amish community don't look down on the mentality of so called modern society with their adherence to technology and associated social cost? Ridiculous. People don't need a reason to discriminate and constantly look for one.
The Amish I've spoken to don't seem to look down on non-Amish, although I don't suppose there's much elitism of the "my buggy is better than your buggy" kind.

As an aside I thought it might be fun to build a buggy with chrome wheels, lowered suspension, flames up the side and a thumping stereo.
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Old 04-29-14, 05:39 AM
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I acknowledge everyone.

Many of them are customers. Problem is that you can't always tell, given the helmet and glasses. So we don't take a chance.

But if we see someone on certain brands of bikes, we can be pretty sure it came from our store.

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Old 04-29-14, 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by BillyD
Who are you?
He's the guy that didn't wave back
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Old 04-29-14, 06:54 AM
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Originally Posted by contango
The Amish I've spoken to don't seem to look down on non-Amish, although I don't suppose there's much elitism of the "my buggy is better than your buggy" kind.

As an aside I thought it might be fun to build a buggy with chrome wheels, lowered suspension, flames up the side and a thumping stereo.
The Amish take great pride in their buggies! They even have buggies races and prizes for the winners!
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Old 04-29-14, 07:22 AM
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I think the wave/acknowledgement goes back to the days of the uncivilized past. Anytime someone came onto one's property or was passed along a route it was there to determine friend or foe. Anyone who grew up or has spent time in a rural setting before cell phones know what I am describing. Go out into a rural area and all of the local drivers wave to each other. They even have their own custom waves. These people depend on each other in their everyday lives. As for cycling, that person you pass may be the one you have to depend on for help later up the road. So you might wave to let them know that you are a friend and not an enemy.
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Old 04-29-14, 07:50 AM
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The mennonites near me often use adult tricycles, the kind with big baskets in the back as an alternative to horses.
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Old 04-29-14, 08:07 AM
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I acknowledge people I pass only because they also are human beings.. It doesn't have to be the wave, just a nod or a smile is sufficient..
Sometimes when i've had a bad day, just an acknowledgment from another human being speaks volumes....

Trendy... Sure we are, but no less than my friends in our Audi S4 club and Forum. The key is to recognize other people and their level of passion for what we do... Every year we have a drive / cruise called Avantoberfest.... We meet in Danbury CT head up to Limerock Race track than head up to Stratton VT via backroads, stay for the Octoberfest then drive home the next day. This year we'll expand that to drive up and over Smuggler's Notch ( Stowe VT ) then drive back home late Sunday or monday morning....
It's cliquish, all Audi's, ( some uber expensive, mine isn't it's a b6 2004 S4 ) but the point is it's a group of like minded individuals... It's also a family outing for some as they do include wives and kids..

I wear my Cox Steadman's kit because it is my club, not because it is resplendent of a limited membership.. I run Campagnolo Chorus on an older Cannondale which at this point has 60,000miles from 8 seasons of racing and 3 trips to France /Italy.... That surely doesn't give me bragging superiority rights over anyone....

Early 90's I lived in New Haven CT, rode /raced unnattached mostly, but had a friend who was post grad at Yale... his name was Olaf, we met on the road.. Anyway he shows up for a group ride one morning.... On a MTB with slicks... The amount of snickering and skewed looks was quite amusing... No one could drop him, he also contested the final sprint and blew up everyone... Comes to be he was german and had raced for the national team, when he 1st told me his name I replied " Like Ludwig " to which his response was " Not as Fast "... We also had an african american rider by the name of Beethoven Brown, I think he was the 1st i can recall on limited edition Campy Record, Colnago frame and Carbon wheels. He's a Neuro surgeon also at Yale.... Both of those people were two of the most unassuming humble riders I have come across...

Here's a good example of why being an elitist doesn't work.... We had a group ride out of Sleeping Giant Park and one day this guy shows up on an Eddy Mercx, full Motorola kit, the works... Bruce ( name may have been changed to protect the innocent ) goes up to him and says...
" Who do you think you are ...??.. Lance Armstrong ?? " the reply was " Yes... indeed I am " it was and we have never let Bruce live that one down....
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Old 04-29-14, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by EnellCH
Come on out to Silicon Valley, Road cycling is the sport of choice among the VC crowd, the younger tech guys and many company executives. Definitely not fitting some of the descriptions in this tread.

People are seemingly proud to sport their $10k bikes, walk like ducks and be dressed up in Lycra.
Absolutely second this. It's actually rather odd to run across someone on a road bike out here that isn't fully kitted up, other than the hipster kids that converted their dad's old steel bikes into fixies. The only real negative interactions that I've had with roadies around here have been the occasional overly aggressive Cat-6 types, and I'd rather deal with it on bikes than have them do the same in a 3 Series BMW. Sure, not everyone waves. No big deal. As a C&V cyclist, I've come to grips with the fact that some of them are too busy dealing with the upending of their paradigm that comes from witnessing Campagnolo ("High end stuff I'm supposed to buy, right?") and significant amounts of steel ("That heavy s**t they used back in the middle ages?") appearing in concert on the same bicycle.
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Old 04-29-14, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by WestPablo
The Amish take great pride in their buggies! They even have buggies races and prizes for the winners!
A friend of mine in rural PA told me about the Amish teenagers having drag races in their buggies. Didn't know about prizes though.
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Old 04-29-14, 08:21 AM
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OP, ride your bike, wear what you want, enjoy the ride and for goodness sake stop worrying about what others wear, ride or think.

The only person whose thoughts concern me is the maniac behind the steering wheel of a two ton vehicle, texting his gf (or bf) and not paying attention to the road...that's the only person whose thoughts, or lack thereof, concerns me.

Cycling is a wonderfully simple activity...you...the bike...the road.

For the life of me I can't understand all the hand wringing about what gear others use/ride or what kit they wear.

Ride, be safe, enjoy!
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Old 04-29-14, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
Oh look ... the first "they didn't wave at me" thread of the season!!




The imagination is an amazing thing.

Focus on your own ride ... stop imagining what people are thinking of you. Most of the time no one sees you ... no one notices you ... no one is paying any attention to you at all ... no one cares.
You are 100% correct.

Why are people so worried about who waves at them instead of focusing on the sheer pleasure of riding!
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Old 04-29-14, 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by cafzali
I get your point, but I am hesitant to give people a pass just because of that. Lots of people bug the hell out of me, but I don't go doing pompous or rude stuff that are equivalent of placing tacks on the road and the other things people do to cyclists. It drives me crazy that as a normal size person I have to be crammed into a seat when someone whose too big for theirs sits next to me, but we're supposed to be accepting of something 99.9 percent of people -- myself included -- have absolute control over. Add to that, I'm actually paying for that through higher health care costs.

Why do I use that example? To point out that the only difference in whose rights get defended and protected are the ones who stand up for them the most. If we started wearing shirts lampooning or targeting local politicians that introduce stupid laws and organized group rides wearing them, idiot politicos would get nervous and back off a lot of the crazy rules/regulations that have been proposed -- thankfully most not adopted.
You have a point.

When I see a big fat person eating fattening stuff at a restaurant, I've been known to walk up to their table and takes their plates away from them for their own good. It reminds me of the time someone tried to hit me with their car because they thought I ran a stop sign with their bike.

As far as T-shirts are concerned, that kind of stuff became in practice illegal about 5 years ago. I would never wear a T-shirt in our culture expressing a minority opinion for fear of reprisal.
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