Cycling seems to have become very "upper crust"

[marzjennings]

Cycling as an activity whether for transportation or fun I think has always and will remain something for everyone.

But as a sport and to be competitive, then definitely a rich person's sport.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

But as a sport and to be competitive, then definitely a rich person's sport.

I'm not sure the people in the OP (middle aged professionals) are competitive other than in their own heads.

Cycling is a sport open to most people (more needs to be done to promote it as such). I don't think you'll find the record books full of affluent family names and historically it was a sport of the poor. There are few professional cyclists who come from "rich" backgrounds.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

[QUOTE 4899738, member: 9609"]I would guess many in thin end of the trough type employment will just not have the time or energy for cycling as a hobby - I wouldn't have been able to fit cycling in when I was working.

I don't think I have spoke to another cyclist this year (or last) so don't really know if they're snooty or not[/QUOTE]
The history of Grand Tour and Classics cycling is full of poor lads cycling to and from work, racing in the evening and weekends, trying to escape the utter poverty of rural (mostly mainland) Europe. Likewise those from other continents.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

[QUOTE 4899742, member: 9609"]historically may be, but can the same be said today,[/QUOTE]
I think you'll find it can.

Care to name your top ten of current pros from wealthy families?

 

[bpsmith]

I can't agree. I'd say cycling is a "sport" that is classless. That doesn't mean you get people in the sport from different ends of the spectrum. Especially as there is no annual membership !

Remember the Olympics, Tour de France, Grand Depart and Tour de Yorkshire made cycling interesting and accessible to people of all walks of life. That can't be a bad thing.

Yes you stereotypically get the overweight 40 something who buys all the gear such as Rapha just because of the label then splashes out £10k on a bike but he still rides the same roads as the person who's had their bike for 10+ years, maintains it well, enjoys their rides for what they are and will still be doing it in 10 years whereas Rapha man will have sold his bike on at considerable loss and couldn't fit into his Lycra even with its elastic properties!

I can admire a nice bike like the next person but I don't judge a cyclist because he's on a new or old bike, wearing the latest gear, has a good job or has a small or large house. If he or she are good company then that trumps all others in my book.

The more people taking up cycling for the right reasons is all good and if Rapha man is selling his bike at a good price, you never know you might pick up a bargain

Paragraph 3 and 4 totally contradict each other. You don't judge a rider for their new bike...unless it's worth £10k and the guys wearing Rapha. Interesting.

 

[Cronorider]

There is much more affluence in cycling today. More people with disposable income getting into retirement age are taking up cycling as a way to stay fit. (rather than golf) They can afford very good equipment and don't mind paying for it. There are many more rides like Gran Fondos specifically catering to these people as well. Lots of folks round here have a road bike, gravel bike, and a niner. I'm personally guilty of owning three bikes, but then I've been a cyclist for 55 years. The more people in cycling the better IMO.

 

[Cronorider]

Cycling as an activity whether for transportation or fun I think has always and will remain something for everyone.

But as a sport and to be competitive, then definitely a rich person's sport.

You don't need to be rich to be competitive

 

[Cronorider]

I'm not sure the people in the OP (middle aged professionals) are competitive other than in their own heads.

Cycling is a sport open to most people (more needs to be done to promote it as such). I don't think you'll find the record books full of affluent family names and historically it was a sport of the poor. There are few professional cyclists who come from "rich" backgrounds.

There are some pretty hardcore 'middle age professionals' riding around here

 

[Cronorider]

I think that anyone with an old cronk of a bike would stay well away from a cycling club because its known what they are like.

It's true that none of us ('they') want to ride with a guy who shows up to a group ride on a piece of crap that has sh!!ty brakes and mis-shifts on every uphill.

 

[slowmotion]

My bike cost £650 when new. I had to think about buying it. It works pretty well, but I try not to ride in the company of w*nkers. I try to avoid them in all aspects of life actually.

 

[hoopdriver]

I have become so upper crust lately when I am out on my Pegoretti that I do not even speak to myself

 

[Jimidh]

I can't make my club ride this morning as its by daughters birthday but on a normal Sunday we will have a policeman, a chef, a bus driver, a pharmacist, a mechanic, shop worker, financier, a doctor, an IT specialist, a salesman, a gardener and few others.

The one thing we have in common is that we love riding bikes - no snobbery just guys enjoying being out with each other with a shared passion.

 

[Markymark]

And what is it with snobby cyclists on posh bikes who don't nod or say hello when you see them out riding??

 

[Dan B]

I have become upper crust lately when I am out on my bicycle that I do not even speak to myself

Really? I speak to myself all the time. Rarely results in a sensible conversation, though

 

[Levo-Lon]

Ah.... another jealousy thread - dontcha just love 'em, eh...

Looking down your nose can cause neck strain