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

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Old 07-14-09, 05:59 PM
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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?
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Originally Posted by rjones28
Are they talking about spectators feeding the cyclists? You know, like don't feed the bears?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:01 PM
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:facepalm:
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Old 07-14-09, 06:01 PM
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person on bike+bike moves=cyclist.

But I did not think about that answer much.
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Old 07-14-09, 06:03 PM
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I don't have the need to make such distinctions, so I don't bother.
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Old 07-14-09, 06:03 PM
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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.
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Old 07-14-09, 06:06 PM
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Fine.
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Originally Posted by rjones28
Are they talking about spectators feeding the cyclists? You know, like don't feed the bears?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:07 PM
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why does the helmet make the difference for you?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:09 PM
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Actually I don't know.
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Originally Posted by rjones28
Are they talking about spectators feeding the cyclists? You know, like don't feed the bears?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:23 PM
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Only if they wave.
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Old 07-14-09, 06:25 PM
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Shaven legs = cyclist
Hairy legs = weekend warrior

Discuss.
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Old 07-14-09, 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Tapeworm21
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?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:31 PM
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If you drive away a room full of people when you discuss your favorite hobby, you are a cyclist.
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Old 07-14-09, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by The Weak Link
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
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Originally Posted by rjones28
Are they talking about spectators feeding the cyclists? You know, like don't feed the bears?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Tapeworm21
Shaven legs = cyclist
Hairy legs = weekend warrior

Discuss.
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?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by mzeffex
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?
I think I'd make an exception here too:

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Old 07-14-09, 06:53 PM
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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?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
I think I'd make an exception here too:

hahaha, yeah

Originally Posted by johndavis
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?
Is this saying that person IS a cyclist or is not?
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Originally Posted by rjones28
Are they talking about spectators feeding the cyclists? You know, like don't feed the bears?
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Old 07-14-09, 06:59 PM
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If they're wearing a helmet and riding on the road (with traffic, of course), they're a "cyclist".
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Old 07-14-09, 07:01 PM
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Easy. If they are riding a bike, then they are a cyclist.
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What's frightening is how coherent Hickey was in posting that.
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Old 07-14-09, 07:01 PM
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I say clipless pedals makes someone a cyclist.
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Old 07-14-09, 07:03 PM
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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.
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Old 07-14-09, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Doohickie
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.
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Old 07-14-09, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by making
Unless you immediately fall over.
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Originally Posted by rjones28
Are they talking about spectators feeding the cyclists? You know, like don't feed the bears?
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Old 07-14-09, 07:34 PM
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Wearing a helmet? I guess Eddy Merckx isn't a cyclist.
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Old 07-14-09, 08:08 PM
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Real cyclists wear headphones.
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