Cyclaholic

The only requirement I can think of to be a "serious cyclist" is to be completely lacking in a sense of humor..... seems to be a number of "serious cyclists" in this thread

simplexity

Based upon your cycling experience/practices (solely based upon your posts on BF) I guess that using your inane criteria I am not a "serious" cyclist despite years and years of mountain biking fun, in many states and a few countries ( I like the tech stuff) and years of bike commuting.

when riding there have been many occasions where I've thought "man, I wish I was driving" because the twisties that I was climbing would be so much more fun to shred in a fun car, rather than pedal at sub 10 mph speeds.

BarracksSi

True; I was thinking about driving in traffic. The only driving I'd find more enjoyable than backroad twisties would be in a closed environment where safety crews could bail me out if I go overboard and roll the car.

cyclezealot

How our values change. Now that some of us think of ourselves as roadies. / One of my childhood bike was one of those American flyiers, with streamers flying off of the grips on the handlebars. Show up with that style bike to a club meet now. That is when we'd be faced with serious frowns.

alpinist

Why is it I don't like the term "serious cyclist"? It sounds like "anal cyclist" or something. Sounds like someone should be wearing lycra and terrorizing the city parks with a scowl on his face.

I like my bike! I like to ride! I get ready to go somewhere, and I think "Can I ride, or do I HAVE to drive?" I might wear jeans or lycra, depending on the distance or the weather or where I'm going. Just the helmet and gloves are the only common items for every ride.

Some rides fast, some slow. Some just to the store for junk food. Some for 50 miles around Lake Washington. ALL because I like to ride. AND I am still a n00b.

I'm buying Zinn's book so I can tinker some more. Bought a couple of additions for my bike and installed them myself (simple, easy, glad I did it).

I am not 'serious' about riding, any more than I am about marathoning or rock climbing. I do it because I friggin' ENJOY it.

End of sermon.

crtreedude 

I really tried to be a serious cyclist today - honest. But I just couldn't do it, I kept smiling.

Bdaisies

This bears repeating.

I never thought about what makes a serious cyclist actually. I like to think of myself as a serious cyclist because I actually like getting on my bike and getting around places. I learned how to do a few basic repairs and adjustments to my bike, but I don't think i could do a proper tune up or overhaul. I also didn't custom build my bike, so I probably lose points as a serious cyclist. I chose one that was available at my LBS, with some additional internet research, and I've been enjoying it ever since. I also like to encourage people to get on their bikes to get to work if they can help it.

There are a lot of good answers in this thread, though I don't think there will ever be a definitive answer.

I-Like-To-Bike

THESE are serious cyclists!!

crtreedude 

I want the one with the gun for traffic! (not that we have any here - but it is the thought that counts)

ATAC49er

Hmmm,...let's see.

A serious cyclist is one who knows he/she didn't spend a lot of money for that X-Mart special.
A serious cyclist is one who knows he/she is not riding a toy.
A serious cyclist is one who does serious business on that bike, whether commuting, errands/bill-paying, etc.
There's always more, but you get the idea.

I-Like-To-Bike

Yeah, I get the idea.

Machka 

Why do so many people think of the word "serious" as meaning ... almost "gloomy" or "cranky" or "not fun" or "very businesslike"?


As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think of "serious" as "dedicated" or "placing importance on something", both of which are happy, even joyful, occurrences. If you think something is important enough to dedicate time, effort, and even money to, it should be enjoyable.

For example, if you're dedicated to a person you consider very important (i.e. a spouse) -- if you're in a "serious" relationship with that person -- isn't that a good thing, something to smile about, something to enjoy?

crtreedude 

You do know we are teasing Machka, right? If you want my definition of a serious cyclist (for real) - someone who wears out bike components. Cyclist is not someone who plays with bikes or fixes bikes or buys lots of bike stuff - but someone who rides bikes.

Measure it by chains, bottom brackets, bearings, brake pads, etc. Which all add up to one thing - miles (or kilometers of course)

You can't be a serious cyclist if you aren't putting in the miles.

chipcom 

Hey, this is serious business!

januarytwenty

You have inspired me! Bikeforums musical time (rips off lycra to reveal sequined lycra underneath) (to the tune of Seasons of Love):

525 600 miles; 525 600 miles so dear; 525 600 miles;
How do you measure, measure a...cyclist (ooh bad rhyme alert)
In bearings, in brakepads, in tires and bottom brackets;
In bottles, in miles, in flats and road rash;
In 525 600 miles, how do you measure, a cyclist (ouch, sorry again).

Casting calls are next week!

smurfy

Gasoline is creeping up to $4/gal.

Well we're ALL serious cyclists now!

Allister

I don't care whether cyclists I see are serious, or dedicated, or anything. But if I want a good indicator whether or not they're likely to drop me, I look at their shoes. If I see cleats, it's Game On.

As for me, I ride a recumbent. No-one takes that seriously, least of all me.

+1
I-Like-I-Like-To-Bike. He's always good for a laugh. Seems it's only the constricted sphincters that get upset by him, but from where I sit, they can use a bit of straight talking to.

Garfield Cat

Its not about the gear. Its about the rider and the rider's commitment to riding regularly. The riding is not the ends but a means to something else, be it for health reasons or for competition.

A similar thing would be a person who takes education "seriously". Some undergrads go to party schools, some go to get into a professional school later on. Some actually go to learn how to think.

chipcom 

I guess that's why I am not a serious cyclist, I don't need some goal, I just ride because it's fun. Since I don't need to learn how to ride, I guess that means I just ride for the party. WOO HOO!

Garfield Cat

There's a lot of things that are "fun". If I did all the fun things, then my life would be a bit out of order. I see goal setting as a bigger picture, a life thing which cycling is only a part.

City_Smasher

If I choose to go out and spin instead of reading every post on this thread, does that make me a serious cyclist?

obersts001

"Serious" cyclists have advertising on their asses.

Buglady

How about if you're in your car (or on the bus) and saying "Man, I wish I were biking instead!"? Happens to me all the time. I hate Calgary traffic...

colo. 3spd man

It makes me happy to ride and therefore less serious.

Zan

i agree with most of the comments made so far...

-> people with the passion for riding
-> people who ride regularly
-> people who know how to maintain their bike
-> people who can get on a bike + ride and enjoy it
-> people who encourage others to get into the sport

but... i don't agree with the all-weather nonsense.

There is a line between being a "serious" or "real" or "committed" or "enthusiastic" biker, and being an "obsessed" biker. I don't bike in the deluge, nor do i enjoy having both my tires slide out on me on the wet tarmac or snow covered streets. What's wrong with you people?

Haha, i don't mean that offensively at all. I just don't think it's fair to be dangerous to be considered serious. Yeah, it IS dangerous riding in poor weather conditions. You argue with me, i hope someone else shoots you down as well. I can't see y'all pulling tight 40kph right turns on wet tarmac, or trying to climb a steep slope with thin rubber on icy roads. Sure, you could putter around in such conditions at slow speeds, but the trails suck in those conditions, and i enjoy speed on the roads.