Why is road cycling so political and middle class?
07-13-14, 04:51 PM
#201
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07-13-14, 07:12 PM
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07-13-14, 08:43 PM
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07-14-14, 07:30 AM
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surgeonstone...love it. Like Lazarus it rises...
It's funny, the guys I used to race with were anything but middle class. It was make it in bike racing or back to the factory or mine with your sixth grade education. When you see racing from that perspective, it's easy to see why someone would use juice to get better.
Snobs are here. go over there and race a bike. No snobs, Just a bunch of guys that will beat your ass to win and get noticed and get out of the lifestyle they are facing.
It's funny, the guys I used to race with were anything but middle class. It was make it in bike racing or back to the factory or mine with your sixth grade education. When you see racing from that perspective, it's easy to see why someone would use juice to get better.
Snobs are here. go over there and race a bike. No snobs, Just a bunch of guys that will beat your ass to win and get noticed and get out of the lifestyle they are facing.
07-14-14, 08:40 AM
#206
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if it weren't for the snobs, the industry would collapse. so lets not be too hard on the snobs.
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07-14-14, 06:05 PM
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If you spend time inventing opinions that other people might or might not have, and using those invented opinions to have an argument with yourself about what you should or shouldn't wear, you need therapy, not new clothes.
07-16-14, 12:18 AM
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Not to sure where to post this subject but here seems like the right place.
I am 29 now, and have been riding bikes since I was 9. Kids mountain bikes you get as a first bike to get around the local towns, bmx from 10 years of age till present day, fixed gear and track bikes since 19 and road bikes and road cycling since I was 22. So have spent a lot of time behind bars.
I don't really wear all 'the gear' when I go on road rides, you know the latest in cycling jerseys, the best footwear/pedal combos... The most expensive bikes (Ł3000+) and all the other stuff.
I am safe with lights and helmet (most of the time). I used to ride in cotton jogger pants and stiff souled vans shoes with no straps or clip ins.. just simply liked to ride my bike and go explore on the road with friends, only recently am I starting to wear more cycling based clothing (from a practical sense as I really want to start pushing my cycling performance that bit more now).
There's a lot of snobbery when it comes to certain riders. Walking or cycling in the country, we all know what it is, that nod, or that quick glance and a show of awareness or appreciation, but I found that if I wasn't wearing, lets say all the typical cycling gear, basically if I didn't 'look' like a cyclist there was no nod or 'hello' or whatever.. If I was wearing a jersey or proper gear you get the nod.
Why can't cycling be less political. The other day we stopped at a cafe in Yorkshire, England, wearing my stiff souled Vans with straps on the pedals, the amount of looks I got as I pulled away was intense, whole group of cyclist just staring down at the pedals in disbelief.
It's just cycling!
Hate to say it, but the term 'all the gear, no idea' comes to mind with a lot of people. Simply put I have not had too much money to invest in 'all the gear' as I have other financial commitments, doesn't mean I can't enjoy a country ride though, nor should anyone else.
Just thought I would get this out there, be good to see if others feel this.
I am 29 now, and have been riding bikes since I was 9. Kids mountain bikes you get as a first bike to get around the local towns, bmx from 10 years of age till present day, fixed gear and track bikes since 19 and road bikes and road cycling since I was 22. So have spent a lot of time behind bars.
I don't really wear all 'the gear' when I go on road rides, you know the latest in cycling jerseys, the best footwear/pedal combos... The most expensive bikes (Ł3000+) and all the other stuff.
I am safe with lights and helmet (most of the time). I used to ride in cotton jogger pants and stiff souled vans shoes with no straps or clip ins.. just simply liked to ride my bike and go explore on the road with friends, only recently am I starting to wear more cycling based clothing (from a practical sense as I really want to start pushing my cycling performance that bit more now).
There's a lot of snobbery when it comes to certain riders. Walking or cycling in the country, we all know what it is, that nod, or that quick glance and a show of awareness or appreciation, but I found that if I wasn't wearing, lets say all the typical cycling gear, basically if I didn't 'look' like a cyclist there was no nod or 'hello' or whatever.. If I was wearing a jersey or proper gear you get the nod.
Why can't cycling be less political. The other day we stopped at a cafe in Yorkshire, England, wearing my stiff souled Vans with straps on the pedals, the amount of looks I got as I pulled away was intense, whole group of cyclist just staring down at the pedals in disbelief.
It's just cycling!
Hate to say it, but the term 'all the gear, no idea' comes to mind with a lot of people. Simply put I have not had too much money to invest in 'all the gear' as I have other financial commitments, doesn't mean I can't enjoy a country ride though, nor should anyone else.
Just thought I would get this out there, be good to see if others feel this.
07-16-14, 12:52 AM
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Get a grip. Some people are busy just riding their bikes. They aren't there to make friends.
Just because a person wears the same brand pair of jeans and shoes doesn't make them part of a community. Likewise a bike doesn't make you a part of a club.
Just because a person wears the same brand pair of jeans and shoes doesn't make them part of a community. Likewise a bike doesn't make you a part of a club.
07-16-14, 01:06 AM
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That's where I think you are wrong, this is a community, if you are a cyclist you should stand by your fellow cyclist. Doesn't hurt to wave... Jeans is comparing apples and oranges... When you take to this sport you become apart of a select community own up to it don't be a damn snob and give others a nod
07-16-14, 08:11 AM
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That's where I think you are wrong, this is a community, if you are a cyclist you should stand by your fellow cyclist. Doesn't hurt to wave... Jeans is comparing apples and oranges... When you take to this sport you become apart of a select community own up to it don't be a damn snob and give others a nod
07-16-14, 10:51 AM
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07-16-14, 11:00 AM
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Whether you're in sneakers with board shorts or full on Lance Armstrong, it's supposed to be fun.. If you run into people that serious just smile and move along.
07-16-14, 11:15 AM
#214
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That's where I think you are wrong, this is a community, if you are a cyclist you should stand by your fellow cyclist. Doesn't hurt to wave... Jeans is comparing apples and oranges... When you take to this sport you become apart of a select community own up to it don't be a damn snob and give others a nod
I am no more "part of a community" for owning a bike and riding it, than I am for owning a watch and wearing it. I would like you to think about the 'hott chick' at the gym that wishes the gross guys would stop asking her for her number; sometimes we are out riding for our own therapy, needing to release some endorphin and we don't care about you... at all.
You have some nerve commanding us to wave at others when you don't know where we are from or what challenges in life we are overcoming. Imagine we [any member of the 41] are riding to get some quiet time alone to work through our problems mentally to better cope with stress. Imagine some jerk then complains to us for not waving while we are meditating. Who's the snob now expecting everyone to treat them like they are a gods gift to humanity just for sitting on two wheels and pedaling around the block.
07-16-14, 11:23 AM
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That's where I think you are wrong, this is a community, if you are a cyclist you should stand by your fellow cyclist. Doesn't hurt to wave... Jeans is comparing apples and oranges... When you take to this sport you become apart of a select community own up to it don't be a damn snob and give others a nod
07-16-14, 11:44 AM
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For some reason I consider competing with myself as a sport.. But thats just me.
OP should ride while wearing overalls and chewing on a piece of straw... That'll show them.
OP should ride while wearing overalls and chewing on a piece of straw... That'll show them.
07-16-14, 12:59 PM
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Both sides of the argument make good points. I think it's between choosing to be politically correct on certain social issues, or choosing to have a f#Łk-it attitude. In the end, that's what makes this interesting, you have a choice to be one or the other.
07-16-14, 01:39 PM
#218
Portland Fred
07-16-14, 02:24 PM
#219
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What this person said. One's self worth shouldn't be dependent upon whether others acknowledge you or not with a wave or other fraternal gesture. Get over it.
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07-16-14, 02:24 PM
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I don't understand this need to wave or give a nod or be acknowledged because you and some stranger happen to be riding bikes in opposite directions.
I guess I can understand that if we in the middle of nowhere and another person won't be seen more a while, then OK. Apart from that, don't wave at me, don't nod at me. Let me train in peace, when riding I like to let my mind wonder and zone out.
Grown men getting upset that another man won't wave back.. awesome..
I guess I can understand that if we in the middle of nowhere and another person won't be seen more a while, then OK. Apart from that, don't wave at me, don't nod at me. Let me train in peace, when riding I like to let my mind wonder and zone out.
Grown men getting upset that another man won't wave back.. awesome..
07-17-14, 06:12 AM
#221
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That's where I think you are wrong, this is a community, if you are a cyclist you should stand by your fellow cyclist. Doesn't hurt to wave... Jeans is comparing apples and oranges... When you take to this sport you become apart of a select community own up to it don't be a damn snob and give others a nod
In more remote areas I'll often nod to a cyclist. Sometimes they nod back. Sometimes they nod and I'm zoned out and don't nod back. I'm sure sometimes they nod and I don't even notice because I'm focussing on doing my thing.
I don't go out on my bike to be part of a "cyclists club" any more than I go out in my car to be part of a "motorists club" or on foot to be part of a "pedestrians club".
Jeans is a fair comparison. If I'm wearing jeans and someone else is wearing jeans it doesn't hurt to wave to them. Why is it any different because we happen to have chosen the same mode of transport rather than the same style of pants?
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07-17-14, 01:44 PM
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Why don't we have a sticky at the top of the 41 that states no roadie should EVER wave to another roadie. This way we can get the word out and not have to worry about it anymore.
07-17-14, 04:52 PM
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Meh, there are enough cyclists in some areas that I cycle that if I waved at them all I'd crash.
In more remote areas I'll often nod to a cyclist. Sometimes they nod back. Sometimes they nod and I'm zoned out and don't nod back. I'm sure sometimes they nod and I don't even notice because I'm focussing on doing my thing.
I don't go out on my bike to be part of a "cyclists club" any more than I go out in my car to be part of a "motorists club" or on foot to be part of a "pedestrians club".
Jeans is a fair comparison. If I'm wearing jeans and someone else is wearing jeans it doesn't hurt to wave to them. Why is it any different because we happen to have chosen the same mode of transport rather than the same style of pants?
In more remote areas I'll often nod to a cyclist. Sometimes they nod back. Sometimes they nod and I'm zoned out and don't nod back. I'm sure sometimes they nod and I don't even notice because I'm focussing on doing my thing.
I don't go out on my bike to be part of a "cyclists club" any more than I go out in my car to be part of a "motorists club" or on foot to be part of a "pedestrians club".
Jeans is a fair comparison. If I'm wearing jeans and someone else is wearing jeans it doesn't hurt to wave to them. Why is it any different because we happen to have chosen the same mode of transport rather than the same style of pants?
I can't give everyone that I pass a nod or wave, for goodness sakes I am mentally trying to tune them out.
Today I saw a guy with the same make and color cell phone as me, I thought about giving him a nod and wave to see his reaction. I wonder if he knows about the "same color and model cell phone club"?
07-17-14, 06:28 PM
#225
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That is just the way it is with cycling around the world, not going to change.
When I am riding my hybrid bike, no waves or nods from road cyclists. If I'm on my road bike, just about everyone waves. If I am on my road bike in casual clothes, far fewer waves than cycling clothes.
When I am riding my hybrid bike, no waves or nods from road cyclists. If I'm on my road bike, just about everyone waves. If I am on my road bike in casual clothes, far fewer waves than cycling clothes.