How do you distinguish a cyclist from "someone on a bike"
 

I was just thinking about this while I was eating a taco and comparing myself to one in the TDF who doesn't eat anything near a taco before a race.

Personally, I can tell if the person is a cyclist, if they are wearing a helmet. Not always is that an accurate representation but it seems that anyone who knows what they are doing wears a helmet. One exception I see to this is the guy on the full carbon road bike, lycra bib with 11 panel chamois, and his awesome cycling jersey, with no helmet.

Just wondering what makes you distinguish one from the other?

:facepalm:

person on bike+bike moves=cyclist.

But I did not think about that answer much.

I don't have the need to make such distinctions, so I don't bother.

If they have a bike, it's moving, and they don't have someone with a name like "ghetto master p" wearing shorts halfway down their ass on the back of the bike whistling at girls, they're a cyclist. How good they are is a different matter of course.

Fine.

why does the helmet make the difference for you?

Actually I don't know.

Only if they wave.

Shaven legs = cyclist
Hairy legs = weekend warrior

Discuss.

So you're saying you cannot be a serious cyclist unless you shave your legs? Is this some kind of right of passage like in an old indian tribe?

If you drive away a room full of people when you discuss your favorite hobby, you are a cyclist.

I do this all the time :twitchy:

I have a fair amount of road rash on my left leg and my hair is regrowing. Having I been kicked out of the club? Time to get a mirror, grow a beard, and ride a bent?

I think I'd make an exception here too:

http://www.tedsstuff.co.nz/easter07-23.jpg

My criteria:

1. Would they look like a drunk or a bum if they weren't on a bike?

2. Are they riding against traffic and/or weaving in and out of cars?

hahaha, yeah

Is this saying that person IS a cyclist or is not?

If they're wearing a helmet and riding on the road (with traffic, of course), they're a "cyclist".

Easy. If they are riding a bike, then they are a cyclist.

I say clipless pedals makes someone a cyclist.

I say riding a bicycle makes someone a cyclist. Imposing more conditions is snobbery, pure & simple. Now go get on your bike and be a cyclist.

Unless you immediately fall over.

:roflmao2:

Wearing a helmet? I guess Eddy Merckx isn't a cyclist.

Real cyclists wear headphones.