Posted on 06/30/2014 8:38:03 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A new breed of cyclist is infecting our roads and destroying the inclusive nature of bike riding. Jamie Fewery introduces 'sportive snobbery'
It was inevitable that with the rapid growth in cycling, factions would emerge. Sub groups of cyclists who define themselves by how seriously they take the sport, their kit, their observance of cycling’s heritage; gangs and coteries who jostle to adopt the lifestyle to a greatest degree. Reach a critical mass of humans who enjoy a shared interest and lines will inevitably be drawn. The peloton rarely sticks together.
For the most part, this is fine. As with any pastime there will be those who are content with occasional participation and those who immediately look to emulate the pros. But there’s a downside as well: snobbery. The idea that some are not only better than others, but that those at the lower end of the commitment and ability scale shouldn’t really be there at all.
I’ve noticed it a few times in discussions about the professional side of cycling, where commentators have a disdain for the popularisation of their sport since Bradley Wiggins won the Tour in 2012. It's as they hold Wiggins personally accountable for allowing the ‘great unwashed’ in on the secret. Or in forums and articles, where self-defined guardians of recreational cycling denigrate those who have the gall to wear a yellow jersey, as if doing so aligns the amateur with Eddy Merckx. And then there's the articles about whether people should or shouldn't wear Lycra (I do, in case you’re wondering).
But cycling snobbery at its worst is on the road.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Bicycles are alright, but I don’t understand the lycra. Seeing men in that stuff is like seeing them in ballet outfits.
You see, I’m on a remote part of the Rockies. Most of the year, something like traditional Mongolian clothing would probably be best (but with better boots and goggles—frequent high winds, spraying ice and way below zero).
The nearest highways are two lanes with no shoulders, many blind curves, hills and 65 mph speed limit. Packs of summer bicyclers make those roads extremely dangerous for everyone near them. Elevations 9,000 to over 11,000 feet, too. The temperature can drop from 65 F to 35 F or less within minutes during summer, when storms come through.
Most of them are tourists in groups. The passes are even worse. But where you’re at, the situation is probably very different from the situation here.
It was a joke, son.
Ah say, a joke.
[I have restarted the season premier of “Under The Dome” like 7 times now, because of this thread]
:D
Another bad experience occurred in Seattle. There is a trail around one of the lakes there that used to be a logging railtrack, and while a lot of of the bikers say, "On your left," or ding their bell when they race by you, some of them don't. When one of them literally brushed by me (at 25 mph), I told him loudly that he was a synonym for human rectum. He didn't come back to challenge my assertion, but I was ready for him.
Good ones include bikers making extra effort to stay out of the way, waiting at stoplights and crossing in the crosswalks (as opposed to getting out in traffic, pretending in their little helmeted head that they are in the same league with an F-150), and using hand signals.
Maybe along with all the 'safety' laws we should have one that allows one day of open season per year....
Friction and chafing, primarily. Aerodynamics too, not that any of the ones we’d likely encounter will ever participate in the Tour De France though, lol. But, their idols wear it and it does prevent painful aftereffects, particularly for males.
If you see cyclist with over the top equipment 10% of the time he is a serious competitor in the sport. The other 90-% are self-righteous snobs who shop at Whole Foods, think they are saving the planet, and think their bony ass actually looks good in spandex.
Right on.
[and LOL at the last line]
I’ve *never* heard one yell anything when blowing by and can’t recall ever seeing any hand signals.
Oddly enough, some bikers still use hand signals.
I like my electric ones.
:)
I wondered. Sorry for reaching the wrong conclusion.
Hahaha, OK!
Thanks for the insight. Cyclists are a dangerous pain in the butt on many roads, but I can respect what you’re saying. I’m a lone wolf swimmer. Same thing, it’s friggin’ demanding so you understand the snobbery in the Masters teams.
Oddly enough, I still use hand signals, just to keep the practice alive mostly (old school). It also keeps other drivers more aware of your intentions. Having seen other riders do it, there’s little doubt about what their intentions are.
I won’t wear a Speedo for the same reason, I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself and they just look ... wrong, lol.
I’m not nearly as serious here as it would seem.
It takes a lot to get me really riled and this is not even within spitting distance of “vaguely annoyed”.
I just thought it was funny, all jerked outta context like that.
:)
Agreed!
And most drivers just wonder who the hell you’re waving at, I’m sure.
:D
I had to use them in HS driver’s ed.
When I got my first car, I nearly broke my hand by reflexively trying to thrust it out a closed window on a right turn.
I used to ride bareback and bare-legged.
After a long, hot summer day, you *will* know “chafed”.
;D
Take it from a regular lap swimmer for going on 20 years, at a gym pool, eye candy for gals is exceedingly rare. Very, very, very few men can wear a Speedo well. Very few. But the ones who can ...
.... my stars! {^)
That’s alright, If they are wondering, their paying attention. My old gf tried to text while she was driving me. End of story.
I was on swim team in high school and wore them then. I have no need or desire to wear them now. Might as well go out in public in a jockstrap, lol.
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