Last night I was talking to my brother-in-law and nephew. The brother-in-law asks, "Are you still riding your bike?" I reply, "Yes". The nephew says, "Wow, it's been cold. You must be a real cyclist." Brother-in-law says, "No he's just a guy who likes to ride his bike a lot." I decided to let the conversation die right there. But, later that night, right before falling asleep, I found myself wondering what distinction they each held in their head. It seems that there is some sort of different symbolism inherent in these terms for them. Then as I drifted off I thought to myself, "I'm a cyclist." I awoke this morning not knowing if I could even begin to articulate why I had that thought or what the meaning of it is... other than I probably shouldn't have had that second burrito at dinner. Well if you're bored and want to throw your two cents in, I'd be curious to know what some of my esteemed fellow 50+ cyclist/bike riders think.

Nos88, I've debated internally the same question. On a good day, I'm a cyclist. On a bad day, when I'm bent out of shape about my riding experience or ability or my physical condition or my bike or my gear, then I'm a bike rider. I prefer to be a cyclist.

I'm both .... at the same time

I am a bike rider. At 54 I just started riding again. The progression has been old hybrid for a month or so, new mountain bike for the last 3 months, and I am buying my first road bike tomorrow. ( can't get the hang of riding the Bottecchia my brother gave me.) It will be a used Cannondale r700. I would like to buy a touring bike in time and give that a go. I guess I may eventually become a cyclist, but for now I ride a bike and am becoming rather obsessed with that.

"Some times you feel like a nut, some times you don't"

I consider myself a biker unless in the company of motorcyclist.

This reminds me of a recent conversation with my office mate. I mentioned Gu gels and said athletes use them for quick energy, then added "I'm not really an athlete but..."

She said "You ARE an athlete!"

I've always enjoyed participating in sports (athletics?). At this time, I consider myself a person who seriously likes to ride a bike.

To me, a semantic distinction at best. There are always degrees of involvement and enthusiasm in nearly any activity. The guy who just buys a bike and perhaps rides it around the block with his kids and knows nothing of the history or theory or principals.... And the complete bike nerd who eschews automobiles and dreams only of his next titanium upgrade.... Both are "cyclists"; its just a matter of degree.
I like to learn what I can when I get involved in something...I know much of the history of cycling and I do all my own maintenance.... But I couldn't go into the theory of frame geometry and the advanced technical details of cycling machines... That's yet another level.

Grasshopper, some things are not worth your time to quibble. Just do it.

I agree

Be it Summer ....


... Or Winter

When I think of the word "Cyclist" the vision of someone on a road bike, with a jersey, or full kit, helmet, and all the toys. Going along hammer and tongs (either alone or in a pace line) racing from point A, back to point A. Training to be the best and fastest they can be, whether for just personal goals, or race goals comes to mind.

When I think of the words "Bike Riders" I envision people on more upright bicycles, of all types,and normal street cloths, helmet or not. Riding along down the road, or the MUP headed for their favorite coffee shop, or restaurant, or store, just out enjoying the nice weather for some stress relief, fun, and exercise.

They're both good... it's just my personal bias of the terms.

Myself, I'm a half century old, half blind, half crippled half wit... that loves his Mixte/touring/utility/crusier bike. I don't own any "Cycling" specific clothing unless you count a helmet, and gloves, and I usually just go out riding on nice days, and headed someplace I want to go, because I want something there... The exercise is just a bi-product of the fun. So, I would class myself as a "Bike Rider", or as they would say in the Road Forum... A Fred.

I fully agree with Bionicycle above!

Bike rider


Cyclist

IMO a "cyclist" rides a human powered machine, a "biker" rides a motorcycle.

A "bike rider" could go either way.

The "mountain-biker" should be a "mountain cyclist" then, but maybe that implies a road cyclist who likes to ride mountain roads, as opposed to off road?

Big picture, it doesn't really matter much.

Rick / OCRR

As far as I am concerned, BSNYC has come up with the best definition of 'cyclist' I know of:

A cyclist is:
"1) a person who rides a bicycle even when he or she doesn't have to; (and)
2) a person who values the act of riding a bicycle over the tools one needs in order
to do it." (see Bike Snob pp. 44-47)

A very compact definition that says it all, in my view. The only comment I'd add: "bike rider" is, like "biker," to be applied to and only to motorcyclists.

That is all.

In my opinion a cyclist becomes one with the machine. A bike rider implies two entitees; The rider and the bike. I'm a bike rider hoping to become a cyclist.

You gotta shave your legs to be a cyclist.-0

I guess that makes most of us females "cyclist"

Cyclist or Bike Rider?

Kinda hard to be a cyclist without riding a bike.

Littering and...

I figure this is like religion. If one believes one is a cyclist, then one is a cyclist. If one believes the true calling is as bike rider, then one is a bike rider.

And a few of us older males. Just a couple of days ago, sitting on the couch with my legs on the ottoman, I hear from my wife: "You shaved your legs? Like a woman?!?" I decided I wanted to be a full blown cyclist for my 56th birthday, which is this Saturday. Sort of a celebration of accomplishing (MOST of) my birthday bucket list:

A. Ride a century (check)
B. Hang with the big dogs on club rides (depends on the route, and who shows up)
C. Achieve my ideal weight (check)
D. Be content with who and where I am (check - and cycling enabled it)
E. Have a consistently positive effect on those around me. (am told you can't be 100%, but I'm doing pretty well)

I was a "bike rider" for a year of commuting to work. I've been a "cyclist" for the last 6 months or so, and, for me, there was a big difference between the two. The terms don't matter, but for me, there is a difference in attitude and approach. Focusing on riding as a "cyclist" gave me clear goals, and got me to a different level of fitness. My next step is working with a coach and competing. We'll see how that goes.

The difference is where your heart is.

If the primary reason you ride is any other than love for the bike and the ride, then you are "just a bike rider." For example, I ride because it's cheaper than a car, more schedule-free than the bus, and better than walking. But I'm a cyclist because I LOVE TO RIDE. It's part of who I am.

I would have to disagree: in my view, you were a 'cyclist' when commuting to work, unless the only reason you were using a bicycle to commute was the unavailability of another mode of transport you would have otherwise preferred (car, public transit, whatever). Your list (a to d) is of course totally consistent with being a 'cyclist', and of course you are one, but no one or more of the items on that list constitutes a necessary element. Rather, items (a) and (b) especially suggest the all-too-common (and restrictive) identification of (serious) 'cyclist' with 'road cyclist' (in the quasi-competitive and/or 'fitness' sense), a suggestion reinforced by your concluding paragraph. Perilously close to the Bicycling magazine stereotype
Again ... great stuff (accomplishments, and goals) but I don't see how you are any more a 'cyclist' now than you were when 'just' commuting.

When I am cycling I am a cyclist. When not, I am a person who cycles at some times.

An old friend of mine always used to define himself as a motorcyclist, i.e. someone who rides a motorcycle. To him a "biker" was someone who wore a sleeveless denim jacket over a leather jacket and drove a car worth less than the stereo in it.