Cycling seems to have become very "upper crust"

[Andy_R]

I like to ride my bike on my own. It's a form of escape for me. If I didn't get a chance to escape from you all, I would end up on the News at 10....with a machete and a sledge hammer....but that's only because I listen to Moby and Peter Gabriel when I'm riding......

 

[FishFright]

This thread is so ridiculous I expected Lord Haw Haw to be be in it blaming the EU

 

[johnnyb47]

You've only got to watch the big cycling event in London this weekend ,which proves cycling is for all walks of life. BMX bikes, serious roadies to brompton racing. Families enjoying a fun day out with there kids. This is what cycling is all about. It's a mass diversity of all things good. Upper crust or not we are all doing what we enjoy and not hurting anybody else..

 

[bpsmith]

You forgot Penny Farthing's. In saying that, they're only riding those because they're fashionable...

 

[F70100]

I would probably be considered successful and reasonably well off
Not upper crust though, my dad was a milkman and I come from a mining family.

Are you my brother?

I even worked in the coal mines myself and have been very lucky since they closed.

 

[Drago]

Some of the above comments are bonkers.

What I can't get my head around is why people have such ridiculous opinions on someone spending lots of money on a bike. I also can't quite work out the demographic of those that have such views.

Personally, I will likely never afford a £10k bike. Do I feel anything negative towards those that can? Clearly not. On that basis alone, my assumption can only be that the people with such views must be those that could afford to buy such a bike, but have chosen to use the cash in something else. Only to then be jealous of those who decided to buy said bike.

You can't have it all!

Another irony that I have noticed is that those, that pull a face at spending £10k on a bike, already have multiple bikes totalling more than that amount, and more, already...

I could afford a £10k bike. Unfortunately, I've barely got £1k legs or lungs, so the only thing it would aid is my ego.

 

[Bollo]

What's wrong with Upper Crust? When I'm in the mood for a stale ham and cheese croissant, they are the equal of Delice de France any day.

Ipad weetabix removal tips please!

 

[Lee_M]

Are you my brother?

I even worked in the coal mines myself and have been very lucky since they closed.

with a milkman for a dad I could be

 

[Milkfloat]

About the only thing that this thread has confirmed is that many cyclists are nobbers with a very twisted view of life.

 

[Drago]

with a milkman for a dad I could be

Is that why your middle name is Gold Top?

 

[Firestorm]

To be honest I recognise a bit of myself in the op, but I am also confused about myself
My Grandparents Rode and raced. My parents too, my brother still races, so i am from a cycling family.
I was transported in a cycle sidecar for my first year. Dad was a factory worker in those days.
I work in the city, have a nice house and have recently upgraded my bike to a nice carbon bike (albeit second hand) which I dont get out on enough but love getting bits for. I have lidl , Aldi and castelli gear. Plus a set of golf clubs , an MTB and two motorbikes , all of which i dont use enough either....
I do comment to Mrs FS about other cyclists we see, primarily " he/she is going well/ working hard" or "that saddles too low".
It takes all sorts .....

 

[hoopdriver]

I actually do own a Pegoretti which I bought about ten years ago, when Dario Pegoretti was still relatively unknown outside of a small circle of racing aficionados. It is lovely to ride and I enjoy it for what it is, a beautifully crafted bicycle - but even the supposed cachet of a Pegoretti does not stop a small minority of riders from looking down their noses at me, or indeed anyone and everyone who isn't them.

 

[screenman]

How do you tell if someone is looking down their nose at you?

 

[hoopdriver]

It ain't hard.

The wrinkled brow, the expression on the face as though they just smelled a fart, the curled lip..need I go on?

 

[bpsmith]

's easy. Just see someone with a bike that you can't afford, and use your imagination.

That's a huge assumption right there, quite frankly. No prizes for where the "nobber" comment, mentioned above, was aimed towards.