surak

"Serious" has connotations that upset a lot of people when describing/separating cyclist types. How about a new term that is less negatively loaded*, but encompasses more varieties of cyclists?

One can be:

• Committed to an optimal cycling regime to maximize gains in the pursuit of going farther and faster
• Committed to maximizing their enjoyment of cycling without the overhead and distraction of Watts, training effect, CdA and Crr, etc., etc.
• Committed to looking sharp on the bike within the accepted fashion style of their discipline
• Committed to looking casually incognito such that nobody would know that they were on a bike once they hop off one
• Committed to riding on the best equipment they can buy with their hard-earned money
• Committed to extracting the maximum amount of utility with the absolute minimum amount of monetary on investment
• Committed to the aesthetic of their preferred time period of bikes
• Committed to being their own mechanic and being self-sufficient at home and on the road
• Committed to keeping their bike shop in business because there are more important things to invest their time and knowledge into
• Committed to riding in whatever conditions the weather and seasons throw at them
• Committed to not ever needlessly suffering through inclement weather
• Committed to not letting hostile traffic conditions keep them from riding where and when they want
• Committed to maintaining their sanity by avoiding traffic hell

What makes an uncommitted cyclist? I would say anyone who has no relationship with a bike, no part of their mind or heart taken up by bikes. Someone who couldn't care less about maintaining their bike, wouldn't be bothered if they never rode it again, doesn't think about it once they're done riding it. And simply, someone who wouldn't label themselves committed or care that others would call them uncommitted.

In that last sense, anyone who takes personal affront at not being consider a "serious" cyclist would by definition be considered personally invested enough to be a committed cyclist.

*: One connotation for "committed" that I intentionally am fine with is the level of obsession that non-cyclists would perceive to be worthy of professional psychiatric help, because yeah...

livedarklions

Sorry, can't commit.

surak

No need to sell yourself short, you are at the very least committed to sharing how much you ride in non-lycra on as many threads as possible on BF.

Outrider1

You committed a good amount of time constructing that post.

Koyote

I'm committed to avoiding labels.

Bah Humbug

The euphemism treadmill means this will gave a very short lifespan.

freeranger

My wife has remarked, at times, that I should be committed.

delbiker1 

I am committed to having my bikes in top shape and just enjoying riding them. Let others worry about whatever BS they come up with. I have enough of my own without jumping on someone else's crap wagon.

wolfchild

We have a long list of names to define cyclists based on how they dress, how they look and what type of bikes they ride. Here is a partial list as I can't remember all of them : Fred, Roadie, Hipster, Elitist, Snob, Wannabe Racer Boy, Poser, Club Rider, Serious Cyclist, Real Cyclist, Bike Rider, Guy On A Bike, Leg Shaver, DUI Cyclist, Committed Cyclist, Spandex Warrior.

Rdmonster69

I was remanded to counseling for an unnamed offense .....my intake form listed "Disrespect and contempt for authority figures" as one of my issues. I was told if I failed I would be .....Committed to an inpatient facility !!

shelbyfv

IIRC, we've had at least one member who posted while in a facility. Probably "drying out" as other posts were made under the influence, as they say.

indyfabz

“I’ve done my sentence, but committed no crime.”

Rdmonster69

Are you in Indianapolis or just an independent Fab guy lol

pdlamb

But on bf, a very long thread.

wolfchild

How about omitting the word serious or committed and just using the word cyclist to describe a person who rides a bicycle.

BHG6

Who on earth has time to waste on this kind of irrelevant nonsense? People who are offended by such trivial crap are constantly on the lookout for new things to be “offended” by so they’re certain to take offense regardless.

I just let them be offended - it doesn’t hurt my feels either way

indyfabz

I used to ride an IF but graduated to an Engin in 2016 because I’m a seriously committed cyclist.

indyfabz

Funny. I was thinking the same thing.

Bah Humbug

There is utility to differentiating by how much time and other resources people re willing to dedicate to it. This gets certain people's feathers ruffled, however.

Troul 

I would commit to memory only the joys of cycling, & not the work related.

Eric F

What's the step above committed?...obsessed? Yeah. I'm probably that. At least right now. My obsessions have been known to change from time to time.

frogman

Agreed !

Kapusta

Committed to correcting everyone who is wrong on BF.

OldTryGuy

AND then there's my STRAVA ID of Psycho Johnny whose cycling exploits likely suggest that being Committed might be beneficial for my health.

livedarklions

BS. I ride in not spandex.