Don't get your Spandex(R) in a wad.

I too sometimes costume up and ride my Cinelli Supercorsa dripping with Campy for fun. It ain't the same thing as utility cycling in the "real" world. When I ride for a workout or pleasure, I pick the time, I pick the place, I pick the day of the week, I pick the smoothest roads, I pick the path, I pick the weather conditions, or I pick the stationary trainer indoors, or I choose not to ride that day at all. Time is rarely a factor during my pleasure ride. I am in total control of my time and my environment. These are situations I am not interested in for THIS particular Poll. Yes, now and then other road users affect me negatively in the park, but much less than during my forced march commutes.

"Real" cyclists are committed to the bicycle no matter what. We must get to work, drop the kids at school, get groceries, visit doctors, the post office etc., on the bike regardless of how we feel that day, often on roads not of our choosing, and in weather that sucks. We have a time commitment. "Real" cyclists don't want to leave home a freaking hour early to avoid the rush hour, take safer roads, or appeal to the tender sensibilities of every motorist along the way. We just want to arrive alive. Often our bikes are tools, not toys. We don't necessarily commute for enjoyment. Honestly, I don't even consider myself a cyclist at all. I just ride my bike to work and everywhere else because I don't want to own, maintain, insure, protect, park, and gas up an automobile for the privilege of doubling my commute time by sitting in line behind a bunch of cars watching the same traffic signals go red/green three times before I can get past the confounded things.

So my interpretation of "Real" cyclists still stands. Sorry the word "Real" has other meanings for you. None of the real cyclists here seem to be complaining about my nomenclature. I simply want input from a certain group of cyclists MOST of whom visit the Commuting Forum regularly. I think the comments here have been quite educational and on topic so far within that demographic. "Real" cyclists, as defined by me for THIS poll, seem to know who they are.