Originally Posted by
wphamilton
I've noticed, in this venue at least, that racers can get sensitive when non-racers talk about competitiveness. Pin on a number, why train if you're not racing, it's not about being fast, all of that sort of business. They don't really get it.
I think it's just the poseur aspect of it. People pretending to do (or be) something they are not.
Years ago, on our regular group ride, one of the riders started talking about the rides in racing terms. He would dissect them afterwards (during the post-ride beer drinking), saying things like, "Did you see how I attacked Steve on Elm Street?," and "How about that leadout that Bob gave to Dave at the county line?" He would recreate (in his narrative) the ride as if it had been a race, rather than a no-drop group ride.
It's an especially weird affectation, given that bike racing is not difficult: all you have to do is get out of bed early and show up, pay a few bucks, and ride your bike -- and you're an actual "bike racer."