Originally Posted by
alan s
Would you run 10 miles in a pair of penny loafers or hiking boots? Nope. You'd wear what elite road racers and marathoners wear, which is running shoes, running shorts and jersey. Does that make you a wannabe? Not in my book. You are wearing what has been demonstrated to work best for long distance running. No different with riding a bike.
I wouldn't wear the penny loafers which is just some arrivist fetish of a different kind. But no I wouldn't wear running shorts or a jersey. If I was the slowest person in the NYC marathon, sure, that is a serious endeavour, and probably a lot of the hackers are at least as maxed out as the better runners. But that is the point, riding a bike around town or at the average touring pace is not running a marathon, or even running 10 miles. It is moderate exercise while sitting down. Closer to weeding a garden. There are folks who are going to be motivated to do an activity by the opportunity to play dress up in a new clothes. I fall more into the category of people who are looking for an opportunity to buy new tools. It is probably all equally silly, but at least I know it.