Uhh, what's a cyclist?
#1
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Uhh, what's a cyclist?
Seems to be some confusion about this one.
Is it anyone on a bike, anytime, no matter what?
Is it someone with a bike in their garage/shed/storage, ridden or not?
Is it someone who uses it out of necessity?
Is it a certain amount of miles a year? 5000?1000? 4?
I guess I just don't know.
A car and driver analogy came up. Is everyone who has a car a serious motorist (sorry, don't know the actual name for that). Of course not. Do you have to race a car to be serious though? Hardly.
So where is it for the bike?
I don't think it should be all encompassing. For me, I keep it to those who give a damn.
The bike itself has got to at least be fixable. Meaning, it's worth it to repair things that wear out and things adjusted stay adjusted. If that means bike shop quality or higher, then that's what it means.
You've got to have access to chain lube, and use it when needed. Likewise a pump.
You don't have to ride, you set aside time to ride because you want to. Whether that means waking up early to commute or negotiating a Saturday with your spouse. Making time.
You've got to sweat. Sorry, a leisurely drift around the park with a kid on a scooter keeping up just isn't riding. I'm sorry.
So it's a bit limited but hardly exclusive. I won't be calling kids, throngs of commuters in certain countries, and those who ride because they don't have much choice cyclists. You know what though? I doubt those people would call themselves a cyclist.
Its also a pretty slippery slope. It doesn't take long before dude on a bike finds out he loves it, and the miles start adding up, and the bike start getting more appropriate and before you know it, he's shaving his legs and bidding for 70 year old wool jerseys on eBay.
Discuss
Is it anyone on a bike, anytime, no matter what?
Is it someone with a bike in their garage/shed/storage, ridden or not?
Is it someone who uses it out of necessity?
Is it a certain amount of miles a year? 5000?1000? 4?
I guess I just don't know.
A car and driver analogy came up. Is everyone who has a car a serious motorist (sorry, don't know the actual name for that). Of course not. Do you have to race a car to be serious though? Hardly.
So where is it for the bike?
I don't think it should be all encompassing. For me, I keep it to those who give a damn.
The bike itself has got to at least be fixable. Meaning, it's worth it to repair things that wear out and things adjusted stay adjusted. If that means bike shop quality or higher, then that's what it means.
You've got to have access to chain lube, and use it when needed. Likewise a pump.
You don't have to ride, you set aside time to ride because you want to. Whether that means waking up early to commute or negotiating a Saturday with your spouse. Making time.
You've got to sweat. Sorry, a leisurely drift around the park with a kid on a scooter keeping up just isn't riding. I'm sorry.
So it's a bit limited but hardly exclusive. I won't be calling kids, throngs of commuters in certain countries, and those who ride because they don't have much choice cyclists. You know what though? I doubt those people would call themselves a cyclist.
Its also a pretty slippery slope. It doesn't take long before dude on a bike finds out he loves it, and the miles start adding up, and the bike start getting more appropriate and before you know it, he's shaving his legs and bidding for 70 year old wool jerseys on eBay.
Discuss
#2
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Anyone riding a bike is a cyclist, just as anyone driving a car is a motorist.
Cycling enthusiasts are a much smaller subset of cyclists as a whole, just as car enthusiasts are a small subset of motorists. The only rule to be considered an enthusiast is that you need enthusiasm or passion for it.
Cycling enthusiasts are a much smaller subset of cyclists as a whole, just as car enthusiasts are a small subset of motorists. The only rule to be considered an enthusiast is that you need enthusiasm or passion for it.
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#3
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I think you're confusing cyclist with elitist.
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I think there may be some confusion as to the ACT of cycling and being a cyclist. Not the same. Simply using a conveyance of bicycle doesn't instantly make you a cyclist, even though they are cycling.
#6
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Read my proposed definition.
I stopped far short of excluding all but the elite. We all know elite when we see it. I'm not discussing that, since it's pointless.
I like the idea of cyclist vs cycling enthusiast mentioned earlier.
I stopped far short of excluding all but the elite. We all know elite when we see it. I'm not discussing that, since it's pointless.
I like the idea of cyclist vs cycling enthusiast mentioned earlier.
#7
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https://www.merriam-webster.com/dict...earch-dict-box
cy·clist | \ ˈsī-k(ə-)ləst
Definition of cyclist
: one who rides a cycle
Definition of cyclist
: one who rides a cycle
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https://www.merriam-webster.com/dict...earch-dict-box
Using a bicycle as a conveyance does, in fact, instantly make you a cyclist.
Using a bicycle as a conveyance does, in fact, instantly make you a cyclist.
#10
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I am a cycling enthusiast, and I wholly support the Websters definition of cyclist.
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Some people have too much time on their hands and need attention.
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The problem is we really have only one word in English to describe ‘someone who rides a bike’ and that is ‘cyclist’. Unfortunately that word has developed a somewhat negative connotation of a MAMIL. Most people don’t want to be ‘cyclists’, they just want to ride their bike around.
I think we need a new word for ‘person on a bike’. Just like the car analogy, I don’t consider myself a motorist when I drive my car to the store to get groceries nor do I consider myself a cyclist when I ride my commuter bike to work. I’m just a guy riding to work or guy driving a car. I’m only a cyclist when I dress up in my cycling costume and clip on the racing bike.
The Dutch have wielrenner for someone riding a racing bike and fietser for some riding a sit up bike in normal clothes.
I think we need a new word for ‘person on a bike’. Just like the car analogy, I don’t consider myself a motorist when I drive my car to the store to get groceries nor do I consider myself a cyclist when I ride my commuter bike to work. I’m just a guy riding to work or guy driving a car. I’m only a cyclist when I dress up in my cycling costume and clip on the racing bike.
The Dutch have wielrenner for someone riding a racing bike and fietser for some riding a sit up bike in normal clothes.
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This thread would be considered beyond lame even in the dead of winter. Here it is July.
The pandemic is destroying all standards.

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I get to do a call-back on my old thread. This is an absolutely true story:
Overheard at the diner
I think this about the 500th thread on this subject, and it's completely pointless.
Overheard at the diner
I think this about the 500th thread on this subject, and it's completely pointless.
Last edited by livedarklions; 07-05-20 at 02:04 PM.
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#18
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Seems to be some confusion about this one.
Is it anyone on a bike, anytime, no matter what?
Is it someone with a bike in their garage/shed/storage, ridden or not?
Is it someone who uses it out of necessity?
Is it a certain amount of miles a year? 5000?1000? 4?
I guess I just don't know.
A car and driver analogy came up. Is everyone who has a car a serious motorist (sorry, don't know the actual name for that). Of course not. Do you have to race a car to be serious though? Hardly.
So where is it for the bike?
I don't think it should be all encompassing. For me, I keep it to those who give a damn.
The bike itself has got to at least be fixable. Meaning, it's worth it to repair things that wear out and things adjusted stay adjusted. If that means bike shop quality or higher, then that's what it means.
You've got to have access to chain lube, and use it when needed. Likewise a pump.
You don't have to ride, you set aside time to ride because you want to. Whether that means waking up early to commute or negotiating a Saturday with your spouse. Making time.
You've got to sweat. Sorry, a leisurely drift around the park with a kid on a scooter keeping up just isn't riding. I'm sorry.
So it's a bit limited but hardly exclusive. I won't be calling kids, throngs of commuters in certain countries, and those who ride because they don't have much choice cyclists. You know what though? I doubt those people would call themselves a cyclist.
Its also a pretty slippery slope. It doesn't take long before dude on a bike finds out he loves it, and the miles start adding up, and the bike start getting more appropriate and before you know it, he's shaving his legs and bidding for 70 year old wool jerseys on eBay.
Discuss
Is it anyone on a bike, anytime, no matter what?
Is it someone with a bike in their garage/shed/storage, ridden or not?
Is it someone who uses it out of necessity?
Is it a certain amount of miles a year? 5000?1000? 4?
I guess I just don't know.
A car and driver analogy came up. Is everyone who has a car a serious motorist (sorry, don't know the actual name for that). Of course not. Do you have to race a car to be serious though? Hardly.
So where is it for the bike?
I don't think it should be all encompassing. For me, I keep it to those who give a damn.
The bike itself has got to at least be fixable. Meaning, it's worth it to repair things that wear out and things adjusted stay adjusted. If that means bike shop quality or higher, then that's what it means.
You've got to have access to chain lube, and use it when needed. Likewise a pump.
You don't have to ride, you set aside time to ride because you want to. Whether that means waking up early to commute or negotiating a Saturday with your spouse. Making time.
You've got to sweat. Sorry, a leisurely drift around the park with a kid on a scooter keeping up just isn't riding. I'm sorry.
So it's a bit limited but hardly exclusive. I won't be calling kids, throngs of commuters in certain countries, and those who ride because they don't have much choice cyclists. You know what though? I doubt those people would call themselves a cyclist.
Its also a pretty slippery slope. It doesn't take long before dude on a bike finds out he loves it, and the miles start adding up, and the bike start getting more appropriate and before you know it, he's shaving his legs and bidding for 70 year old wool jerseys on eBay.
Discuss
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It's a guy with one eye in the middle of his forehead, amirite?
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I was gonna get mad at your elitism but come to think of it, I quite like your reasoning, I shall apply it in the future if something like the following should occur:
Police officer: Hold it! Why are you riding on the pavement? All cyclists must wear a helmet and ride on the left side of the road.
Me: But my bike's not fixable and I don't use chain lube....


Police officer: Hold it! Why are you riding on the pavement? All cyclists must wear a helmet and ride on the left side of the road.
Me: But my bike's not fixable and I don't use chain lube....



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Is cyclism a pro or anti bicycle rider dogma?
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