cafzali

To expand your premise a bit, the phenomenon you describe isn't really specific to cycling. As a general rule, people lampoon, criticize, or express snobbery at things they don't really understand or perhaps can't see themselves ever doing.

What makes cycling seem more open for attack to us, I believe, lies in large part because we practice our hobby out in the open, sharing the same roads as the general public -- the vast majority of whom probably haven't biked since they were kids. If golfers wore their attire in front of the general public, many of them would probably draw chuckles too.

bbbean 

You got me. Clearly, my every waking moment is meant to impress you. Why won't you just love me?

bbbean 

You're so much cooler than me. If only I could acheive your level of awesomeness...

turky lurkey

It might only be rare for recreational cyclists to go without expensive gear, if your definition of a recreational cyclist is somebody who has all the gear and looks the part. I'm confident that there are many recreational cyclists who use basic bicycles in regular clothing. While it might be true that the bulk of people who ride regularly have a fair amount of specialized gear, I think saying it's rare to find people otherwise might be a little bit of stretch. There are many examples of the rare people in the Commuter and C&V forums.

Dudelsack 

Let's be clear. I really hate myself. Everyone here is better than I am. I hope that makes at least some of you feel a bit better.

Smokehouse

It dies take a certain kind doesn't it?

Most of the roadies I know are a bit nerdy...I know I am. The science and precision of it appeals to me. Then there's the physical element added to it. Cycling has always been a passion of mine, I just forgot how much I loved it there for a while.

I embrace my kit...I know I look like a fool and I'm perfectly ok with that. My wife is always snickering at me in my kit...not in a mean way though. She accepts my dorky-ness for what it is. My cycling is my largest passion...and it's healthy and positive, she's all for it.


Many hate us because we, as a group, inconvenience them on the roads. To add to that, some of us are FAR worse than others about that too...

rebel1916

Maybe the OP should be less dreadfully Fredly.

WestPablo

I'm merely just one of the multitude of people you'd like to impress. You'd like to not only impress me, but the rest of the world, as well.

There is nothing more that you'd wish, but to have the entire world jump for joy, as we all, celebrate your existence, acknowledge your superior speed, and the awesome bike with which you attained it!

And yes! I so do love you! We all do!

big chainring 

I can't figure out the alien bug look that seems to be what "serious" cyclists wear. I have burst out laughing on several occasions seeing these creatures approaching. The other good look is the guys wearing the American flag all over their body. True 'mericans. Cycling is a totally geeked out activity, except the way I do it.

bbbean 

Much. Say it again! Say it again!

bbbean 

"You like me!" - YouTube

WestPablo

mlander

That's an excellent point. Never thougth of that before.

aaronmcd

Ya know how people on motorcycles wave at others on motorcycles, or guys driving jeeps wave at other jeep drivers but not any random dude in a car?

Same thing. A roadie or racer sees someone in full kit and notices someone participating in/training for the same sport. He sees someone that looks like they are out for a casual weekly ride and notices someone just out enjoying a ride, but not necessarily participating in the same sport. It's an automatic "oh hey, that guy has similar interests! I think I'll wave or nod."

There are too many cyclists here to wave, but if I did wave I would probably avoid waving at the casual clothes cyclists only because they might find it very strange that some random person is waving. If they are in their kit I would assume they know why I'm waving. If that makes sense.

Anyway, I rode with cycling teams while wearing casual random clothes for a while. I'm sure they thought it was odd, but they weren't snobby about it.

Cyclosaurus

What's strange is the complaints are always "why do the kitted out roadies not acknowledge me?" Nobody ever complains that the Mexican guys who are using the MUP to get to work on their beaters don't wave and say hello (which in my area are at least as frequent as the roadies). Or the moms and dads riding in their costco jeans. "Roadies are such jerks! I want them to like me!"

If you're complaining about roadies snubbing you, you must crave their attention for some reason. That's the real problem, not whether or not roadies are jerks.

caloso

After 2 or 3 generations (my grandfather was born in San Luis Potosi), we turn into snobby roadie jerks too. It's the American Way.

Dudelsack 

Good point. We have many Latin Americans and Somali immigrants in my area who ride bikes. Not a one has ever even nodded to me. And they don't wear helmets. And they never lock their bikes. They don't go clippless. Geez, I was at the grocery store once and an antedeluvian downpour occurred. I'm sitting there softly sobbing because I was afraid I might get wet and some Latin chick hops on her bike without giving it a second thought and disappears into a wall of water.

Maybe they don't wave to me because I'm such a wuss. I hate myself.

JamesRL

Once upon a time, I rode a cool fuschia bianchi, in a cool jersey and racing shorts, and nice shoes etc. Fully kitted. But I didn't start out that way, I worked my way up, and it was only after many miles that I decided to embrace the geeky looking gear. At that time, cycling gear was decidedly uncool.

Now, decades later, I find myself going cheaper. I paid less for my jersey, shorts liner and jacket than most people pay for shoes. I bought cheap shoes, but they are stff and they fit well.

I may treat myself to nice gear, but not until I need it or have enough miles in to earn it.

I do get waves from all kinds of cyclists. Even in my modest clothes, riding my beat up bike.

The only almost snobbery I've encountered was a guy visiting from California. He was aghast that I was not wearing long pants when we were riding in 12 degrees C weather(mid to upper 50s F). Honestly, my legs were fine. He was feeling it even in his wool jersey.

lsberrios1 

I am probably one of the silliest bike riders out there. I wear full kit 100% of the time. I sport a KOM polkadot helmet, usually hang around with a yellow jersey, a TDF replica bike, 2 power meters. I wave to absolutely everybody, runners, cyclist of every kind and sometimes just approach them and talk randomly. This probably makes me a full on ****** but I am secure and proven to smoke 98% of the people within a 10 mile radius from my home. I ENJOY the sport . If they don't wave back or look at you with gay face, smoke 'em!

Usually wear stuff like this

dougclyde

Machka nailed it here. When you can truly not give one half of one rats behind what anyone else thinks of you, or your bike, or your outfit, or heaven forbid your pedals, you can just ride. By all means train, or do your hill repeats, or intervals, or just sit up straight and wave at all the folks on lawnmowers..it doesn't matter!

RollCNY

If you are at the gym, do you wave at the other people on tread mills? Do you get upset if they don't wave back?

On a usual ride, I have no clue how many cyclists, cars, pedestrians, or squirrels I pass. If I notice someone, I acknowledge them, but more often than not, I don't even notice them.

As to clothes, do you wear your street clothes in the swimming pool, or do you put on something that may be revealing but is designed for the task? Cycling clothes are performance clothing for a performance sport, no different than a baseball uniform (those are Capri's, you know) or yoga pants (when actually doing yoga). Sure, you can ride 150 miles bareback in cut off Levi's. You are much cooler that way, with a hole wore through your scrotum, than wearing something specific to the activity.

Bandera

For the OP, read Camus.
Here's a pic of his bicycle.

"I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world."
-Albert Camus

Kingby

I am usually suffering too bad to care or late for friggin work, so... Sorry I didn't wave!

Ray9

Ride for yourself. "Nuff said"

BillyD

Who are you?