Originally Posted by
digger
About 3 weeks ago I was in a store called "Action Truck Caps". This store sells truck related accessories.
Anyhoooo.....while waiting for an employee, who was out back, another employee asked if I was a cyclist, as he noticed the bike in the back of the truck and my shaved legs (more later). I said, yes I was. He then asked, "roadie or mountain biker?"
So, what would I have said? Both are cyclists and I do ride both road an mtb bike (although not at the same time). I ride mostly road in summer but mountain bike in late fall/winter. However, I said I was a roadie. I said that because this is what *I* identify most with cycling.
So, the definition depends on the person and if that lifestyle is how we define ourselves or how we want others to view us. I doubt that if you ask a 'wrong-way, ninja, salmon bike rider' if he was a cyclist, that he (or she) would say, "Yes, I am a cyclist." I'm willing to bet the answer is no.
So, how *I* define cyclist is not; everyone who gets on a bike is a cyclist. How do I define it then? Well, it's kinda complicated, its grey and there is no checklist. No its not because s/he has an expensive bike, wearing lycra, etc. True, it is some part of that yes, but the main part is how I perceive that person and their actions; is the bike well tuned? is the seat at the right height? are they using the proper gear for their speed? helmet or no? Helmet on correctly or no? are they riding according the the basic rules of the road? do they have a mirror? are they pedaling with their heels on the pedals or with the balls of their feet?
All of these things tell me if that person considers this an important aspect of their life, and most likely, they do define themselves as a cyclist, because they have taken the time to ensure that these things are correct. True, in some part I am judging them, but I am not judging them for my own ego, rather I am judging them on what is typically the basic premises of cycling - proper seat height, for example, is important when cycling, they obviously know this, thus had taken some time to ensure it is right. So I look at the person and say, "that is a cyclist, not a person on a bike. That is someone I most likely share a common bond with, because I can recognize those things in me."
Is this snobbery? No, I don't think so. It is like the guy I met at that truck store, he saw some things about me that he identified with/recognized and he asked me about it.
I don't usually wear a helmet, am not always in the "correct" gear, my saddle height is what works best for me, not set according to some formula, my cleat position is behind the balls of my feet...if I use cleated shoes at all, I don't always use a mirror, I have no idea what the "proper gear for my speed" is - but I ride to and from work almost every day, race occasionally, participate in many group/charity rides and ride a minimum of 5,000 miles a year for the last 30+ years. Am I a cyclist?
I pass an old dude riding a beat up MTB in regular clothes with no lights on the wrong side of the street every single day...he's just as much a cyclist as I am.
The clothing, equipment, riding style, etc. does not define a cyclist. If one wishes to make distinctions, I think applying adjectives and descriptive terms like "serious", "competitive", "commuter", "ninja", "occasional", "fair-weather" etc. is probably a better way to do so.
