Cycling is the new black... Discuss

[Theseus]

I remember after the 88 'lympics there was a surge on Hockey participation after we won the gold.

 

[marinyork]

So will the Olympics/TdF wins bring about any change in attitude to cyclists?

Slightly more kindness? Yes.

More respect? No. I think that's a cultural change and a slow one. We've all been cyclists and then known colleagues/family/friends who've just got use to the idea of you being a cyclist and then in noodley language when they've been in a vehicle on the road been total nobbers to other cyclists.

More cyclists? Yes, probably (but I reckon we turned a corner last year with the worlds, vuelta and now the golden year of coverage this year).

Safety in numbers? Yes.

Cycling not being regarded as being the preserve of weird people, nutters and superhumans? Maybe a little.

 

[slowmotion]

I don't think that the knobber in the X5 who carved me up in Chelsea last night has heard the message.

 

[numbnuts]

No it won't last two people tried to kill me yesterday and three today

 

[Aperitif]

People loved cricket back when we wont the Ashes live on Channel 4 (those were the days!)

People loved Rugby back in (whenever we won the World Cup)

People jumped all over swimming after the last 'lympics

Passing fad I would think.

Well, I think there is an almost automatic 'I can do that' with cycling - ergo it is accesible to all. The other sports need a journey to the venue, a level of knowledge, some basic body skills and close supervision and organisation.
A bike 'game' starts outside the front door - there may or may not be others playing at any given time.

 

[Sandra6]

Definitely a lot more cyclists out, of all shapes, sizes and ages, which can only be good. Even if only 10% of them stick at it.
I had a couple of ladies out with their children cheering "team gb!" for me just the other day, quite bizarre, but made me smile.
I've noticed a couple of "serious" cyclists almost sneering at the newbies on the block though -maybe we all need to start being more respectful in general.

 

[Friz]

Cycling not being regarded as being the preserve of weird people, nutters....? Maybe a little.

Not as long as I'm still round...

 

[Friz]

No it won't last two people tried to kill me yesterday and three today

Same here. But I don't think it had anything to do with cycling...

 

[lordloveaduck]

Come the winter with it's cold weather, when the bikes and bso's are slowly decomposing in a far off corner in a shed or garden, it will all be forgotten. And spring will ring with the coming of the rag and bone man, collecting scrap metal.

 

[ushills]

I had a bloke this morning while walking his dog jump off the path and say "What you bloody doin' training for the 'lympics?".

Add that to the fat guy on a canal boat in just his y-fronts who I gave a cheery "good morning" to and got a response I would say cycling is getting more recognition round here.

Just need to grow some sideburns.

 

[Hacienda71]

Come the winter with it's cold weather, when the bikes and bso's are slowly decomposing in a far off corner in a shed or garden, it will all be forgotten. And spring will ring with the coming of the rag and bone man, collecting scrap metal.

I view this as a good opportunity to pick up a reasonably cheap second hand bike.

 

[Archie_tect]

I'll have to find another sport......if there's one thing I really hate, it's being fashionable.

10m standing pistols it is [stand still....]

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

No it won't last two people tried to kill me yesterday and three today

Yeah but that's what paid hitmen do Numbnuts - they get better aim with practice
Tony

 

[lordloveaduck]

I was told that 'If you can pee your name in capitals, then you can shoot straight'.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I don't think that the knobber in the X5 who carved me up in Chelsea last night has heard the message.

He's in a 4x4, he'll never be anything other than a nobber.

Not sure if the 2 lads (10 and 7-ish) weaving through Coventry city centre at rush hour on 1 BMX had got the Olympic spirit, a death-wish maybe.