Why is road cycling so political and middle class?
04-29-14, 08:28 AM
#101
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Absolutely second this. It's actually rather odd to run across someone on a road bike out here that isn't fully kitted up, other than the hipster kids that converted their dad's old steel bikes into fixies. The only real negative interactions that I've had with roadies around here have been the occasional overly aggressive Cat-6 types, and I'd rather deal with it on bikes than have them do the same in a 3 Series BMW. Sure, not everyone waves. No big deal. As a C&V cyclist, I've come to grips with the fact that some of them are too busy dealing with the upending of their paradigm that comes from witnessing Campagnolo ("High end stuff I'm supposed to buy, right?") and significant amounts of steel ("That heavy s**t they used back in the middle ages?") appearing in concert on the same bicycle.
04-29-14, 08:47 AM
#102
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Fashion is an interesting concept! Make no joke about it... fashion is a big part of everyday life... even though for some individuals fashion means little or nothing. I would just guess the psychology behind it is.... fashion allows us to assign seemingly meaningful (cycling) rules to otherwise meaningless repetitive drudgery.
Dressing in specialized outfits and following partially specialized ritual behavioral norms.... is part of the fun. Not just for cycling groups, but for all sorts of activities... and particularly sports. None of this is ether upper, middle, or lower class as we all have our "uniform" or "dressing" codes... whether we like to think about it or not.
Wearing brown shoes with a tuxedo may not effect your comfort... but for some others at the ball... it can break the illusion of specialness. But don't worry about what you wear (except that helmet) when cycling. I am sure at least most cyclist would rather you ride... than not.
04-29-14, 09:00 AM
#103
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The Amish I've spoken to don't seem to look down on non-Amish, although I don't suppose there's much elitism of the "my buggy is better than your buggy" kind.
As an aside I thought it might be fun to build a buggy with chrome wheels, lowered suspension, flames up the side and a thumping stereo.
As an aside I thought it might be fun to build a buggy with chrome wheels, lowered suspension, flames up the side and a thumping stereo.
04-29-14, 09:18 AM
#104
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Why do people deliberately crash commercial jets into the ocean?
Why does a crew entrusted with the lives of its passengers tell them to stay put in their quarters when the boat starts to roll over?
OP...you need to look at the bigger picture and get a second job so you can buy more bike schwag.
Why does a crew entrusted with the lives of its passengers tell them to stay put in their quarters when the boat starts to roll over?
OP...you need to look at the bigger picture and get a second job so you can buy more bike schwag.
04-29-14, 09:26 AM
#105
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It's all in your head. Ride your bike.
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04-29-14, 09:42 AM
#106
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This business about waving, bicycling attire, bike choice, notion of snobbery etc is meaningless, trival and irrelevant. Hopefully the OP is young and will learn. I will add, I had an outstanding ride this morning and there was the whole spectrum of cyclists out there...guys that look like they ride in the TdF, hot girls on TT bikes
and 80 year olds on cruisers. They love cycling and as far as I am concerned they are all my friends because I do too.
04-29-14, 09:45 AM
#107
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Why do these Velominati rules keep getting quoted and linked? Those rules are asinine... They are so stupid they are no longer funny.
04-29-14, 10:14 AM
#108
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04-29-14, 10:31 AM
#109
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middle class?
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
04-29-14, 10:34 AM
#110
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When I'm sizing up other riders, I see one of two trends regarding those cyclists who don't know what they are doing. First are the guys trying to fit in. Full kits, fancy gear, racing wheels, flashy colors, etc. I think these are the riders termed "elitist" by this forum. Their jerseys match, so they are the defacto "in" crowd. The ignore all the others.
The other trend is the anti-establishment. They ride in T-shirts and non-cycling shorts because they are above it all. They don't know the benefits of cycling gear, so they eschew them on the assumption there is no benefit. They are proud of their non-name-brand bike because they think themselves clever by saving a few bucks (what's a few bucks on something that'll be around for 10 years?). They intentionally clash, so they are the defacto "out" crowd. They think everyone is looking at them, judging.
The commonality between both? Neither can ride. Both are trying to play social games in a meritocracy. If you can ride or have your eyes open to learn, you have my respect. If you can ride, nobody talks about your equipment.
The other trend is the anti-establishment. They ride in T-shirts and non-cycling shorts because they are above it all. They don't know the benefits of cycling gear, so they eschew them on the assumption there is no benefit. They are proud of their non-name-brand bike because they think themselves clever by saving a few bucks (what's a few bucks on something that'll be around for 10 years?). They intentionally clash, so they are the defacto "out" crowd. They think everyone is looking at them, judging.
The commonality between both? Neither can ride. Both are trying to play social games in a meritocracy. If you can ride or have your eyes open to learn, you have my respect. If you can ride, nobody talks about your equipment.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
04-29-14, 10:49 AM
#111
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a jersey is essential. how can you ride without carrying a bunch of stuff and where can you carry it? wallet, keys, phone bare minimum.
without jersey pockets, where would you shove it?
without jersey pockets, where would you shove it?
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
04-29-14, 10:56 AM
#112
Senior Member
When I'm sizing up other riders, I see one of two trends regarding those cyclists who don't know what they are doing. First are the guys trying to fit in. Full kits, fancy gear, racing wheels, flashy colors, etc. I think these are the riders termed "elitist" by this forum. Their jerseys match, so they are the defacto "in" crowd. The ignore all the others.
The other trend is the anti-establishment. They ride in T-shirts and non-cycling shorts because they are above it all. They don't know the benefits of cycling gear, so they eschew them on the assumption there is no benefit. They are proud of their non-name-brand bike because they think themselves clever by saving a few bucks (what's a few bucks on something that'll be around for 10 years?). They intentionally clash, so they are the defacto "out" crowd. They think everyone is looking at them, judging.
The commonality between both? Neither can ride. Both are trying to play social games in a meritocracy. If you can ride or have your eyes open to learn, you have my respect. If you can ride, nobody talks about your equipment.
The other trend is the anti-establishment. They ride in T-shirts and non-cycling shorts because they are above it all. They don't know the benefits of cycling gear, so they eschew them on the assumption there is no benefit. They are proud of their non-name-brand bike because they think themselves clever by saving a few bucks (what's a few bucks on something that'll be around for 10 years?). They intentionally clash, so they are the defacto "out" crowd. They think everyone is looking at them, judging.
The commonality between both? Neither can ride. Both are trying to play social games in a meritocracy. If you can ride or have your eyes open to learn, you have my respect. If you can ride, nobody talks about your equipment.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
04-29-14, 11:03 AM
#113
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This. Although I dunno that running isn't a bit of a middle class hobby too. And I think polo is a hobby that's at a generally higher income tier again.
04-29-14, 11:15 AM
#114
Senior Member
There is actually a third group: those that are ignorant of cycling and actively work to stay that way. These people don't care what cyclists think of them because they don't consider themselves cyclists. They ride bicycles for extrinsic reasons and don't try to optimize the skills involved or their riding experience. But we aren't talking about these people here; the OP clearly thinks himself a cyclist and works to actively maintain his anti-establishment cred while thinking people judge him for it.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Last edited by Brian Ratliff; 04-29-14 at 11:20 AM.
04-29-14, 11:20 AM
#115
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The first local bike club ride I went to I was somewhat ignored. I don't think it was because of my mid 80s steel Raleigh with kickstand and suicide brake levers and bell! (I was so young and ignorant - 54 years old at the time) They just didn't know me. People are cliquish. As I rode more and got a cooler bike and better gear they seemed to talk to me more. Maybe they were just getting to know me. Officially I am cool with anyone on a bike............except that guy I saw with the full suspension mountain bike with aero bars.......or those idiots who think every ride is the last kilometer on a Tour stage. I really hate those guys! Oh! also those guys who drop onto their toptube on any downhill to get all aero even when I am keeping up with them in a full upright position. (neither of us is going fast)
As far as waving or acknowledging other riders goes I think the best results are are achieved at frigid temps. When I have gone out in 20 or 30 degree (fahrenheit) weather almost 100% wave or nod.
The original poster seemed youngish. Confidence and not caring about others possible opinions will come with age.
As far as waving or acknowledging other riders goes I think the best results are are achieved at frigid temps. When I have gone out in 20 or 30 degree (fahrenheit) weather almost 100% wave or nod.
The original poster seemed youngish. Confidence and not caring about others possible opinions will come with age.
04-29-14, 11:28 AM
#116
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04-29-14, 11:31 AM
#117
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If you have to say you "honestly don't care", then you, by definition, care. Also, the OP obviously thinks people are judging him for his anti-establishment-ism.
There is actually a third group: those that are ignorant of cycling and actively work to stay that way. These people don't care what cyclists think of them because they don't consider themselves cyclists. They ride bicycles for extrinsic reasons and don't try to optimize the skills involved or their riding experience. But we aren't talking about these people here; the OP clearly thinks himself a cyclist and works to actively maintain his anti-establishment cred while thinking people judge him for it.
There is actually a third group: those that are ignorant of cycling and actively work to stay that way. These people don't care what cyclists think of them because they don't consider themselves cyclists. They ride bicycles for extrinsic reasons and don't try to optimize the skills involved or their riding experience. But we aren't talking about these people here; the OP clearly thinks himself a cyclist and works to actively maintain his anti-establishment cred while thinking people judge him for it.
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04-29-14, 11:32 AM
#118
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No Buzz light-year helmet, no funny shoes and absolutely NO spandex. I guess that I go out of my way to not to be cool. Tuff cookies.
04-29-14, 11:42 AM
#119
Still can't climb
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i want to take up a sport that is exclusively for the criminal class.
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
04-29-14, 11:54 AM
#120
Senior Member
Keys in left pocket and phone is in the right pocket. Neither of them bother me riding my bike. I carry them every time I go out on the bike.
04-29-14, 11:57 AM
#121
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In the pockets of your jeans, of course. Or your overcoat, in the winter. Or your waistcoat.
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04-29-14, 11:59 AM
#122
Senior Member
04-29-14, 12:04 PM
#124
Senior Member
Why would any cyclist who wears diapers care what others think of him?!?!?!? You look like you just took a poo in your diaper already!
04-29-14, 12:09 PM
#125
Senior Member
Hiking can be high-tech and expensive when it comes to the gear too. We're just getting into it, and yes, there are lots of sidelong glances between hikers kitting up for the next hike. But again, I suspect that it is the same curiosity that one cyclist has when looking at another cyclist's equipment ... what kind of backpack is that? How much room does it have? What kind of boots are those? What kind of jacket is that? Etc. Etc.