Originally Posted by
WestMass
For some reason I thought back to a comment or an alternative 'zine at a punk show where the argument was made that going camping was offensive because it was essentially people who have shelter and live a comfortable life going out into the woods and intentionally "playing poor" or imagining that they lived a life of less privilege as a sort of exciting game to play or "roughing it", and how that might seem to be mockery to a person actually doesn't have shelter or comfort on a regular basis.
Hoo Boy! Whoever said that hasn't been camping. Going camping is about surrounding yourself with nature. And if you have a nature deficit like most people, it's a good thing.
Originally Posted by
WestMass
Part of the reason I thought about it was because I don't know that I generally categorize bicycle hobbyist/enthusiast commuters and people who can not afford a car or who have a DUI or whatever in the same category - and I felt a little guilty separating them. I ride through some fairly impoverished areas and occasionally see people on cheapo, old bicycles, kids' bikes, bmxes, etc. who are under-dressed for the weather, and I wonder how ******-y I look to them with my "fancy" lights, helmet, cycling jacket, and panniers.
I've commuted a lot and talked with and interviewed them. They depend on their big box bike to get them to work and back and do errands. They are not concerned with your categories like you are. They just want to ride and be respected and hope that one day, they can make it across town to enjoy the MUP they've heard about. Heck, these days I am one of them.
Forget the dialectic you have going here, relax and ride.