Cycling these days .... rise of the clones?

[Fab Foodie]

@Fab Foodie - I may be a clone after all. On today's ride to Sid's Cafe in Holmfirth I got mistaken for a rider from Nonna's in Sheffield a couple had seen in their last visit to the cafe as I was in a black/white/red jersey.

However, to mitigate I did get wolf-whistled at twice last week ... but both were men

Hey I'd be happy with a wolf whistle from anyone! Nice jersey though .....
But I get your point.

 

[Doseone]

I think we're talking about the rise of the Full Kit W@nker? If so, cycling is a broad church and there's plenty of room for all of us.

Many of those MAMILS will be dads, and it might help inspire the next generation of British cyclists.

 

[Hacienda71]

@Fab Foodie - I may be a clone after all. On today's ride to Sid's Cafe in Holmfirth I got mistaken for a rider from Nonna's in Sheffield a couple had seen in their last visit to the cafe as I was in a black/white/red jersey.

However, to mitigate I did get wolf-whistled at twice last week ... but both were men

I have the shortsleaved version of that jersey.

 

[stephec]

I love that more people are riding but not so keen on it being the 'new golf'.
Yesterday, while swigging my free coffee at Waitrose (and eating not free chocolate fudge cake) a couple of golfers on their very high end carbon arrived. One went for coffee while the other held the bikes. Eaton is a pretty safe area, our bikes were leaned up against the wall next to us, unlocked. The holding the bikes chap - in full Sky kit - decided to hold forth on the fact that I was wearing a tee shirt instead of 'proper clothing' and that I wasn't doing my bike justice. He enquired as to how much my bike cost as he prefers a 'proper brand' that he'd heard off (He had a rather nice, shiney Spesh), didn't give me a cnance to tell him to MYOB but started bunnying on about how many strava segments he had with a lot of 'yah' ing going on. I just looked a little bemused and carried on with my cake. Personally I thought, if he had been a proper Sky fanboy, that he should have had a Pinarello

Hopefully he will bugger off back to the golf course as soon as the cooler weather sets in and there will be a nice Spesh up on gumtree. I think he might have been a 'clone'. The vast majority of cyclists that I come across while out and about are lovely people enjoying the ride, whether it be on a hybrid, their daughter's bike or a bit of swish carbon. Happily I don't see too many of the Sky clones who think that they are better than the rest of us because they have chucked thousands at their new hobby.

I don't frequent Waitrose a lot, BTW. Their coffee is really nice and I get a free one every day. Also, the Norwich Waitrose has outside tables where I can sit with my bike. It's in a handy place for the route we took yesterday.

You were very restrained there, about half way through I'd have been very tempted to just say, "shut up knob cheese," and turn my back.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Because we now find ourselves inside the pack goddamit!

But not part of the pack - I think that's the difference.

 

[fossyant]

@Fab Foodie - I may be a clone after all. On today's ride to Sid's Cafe in Holmfirth I got mistaken for a rider from Nonna's in Sheffield a couple had seen in their last visit to the cafe as I was in a black/white/red jersey.

However, to mitigate I did get wolf-whistled at twice last week ... but both were men

Hah, I got spotted at an early hour riding my bike about 70 miles from home by a rider from over your way from Sheffield. I was in club kit he shouted "like the kit". The next day or two we hooked up over twitter ? Twitter really is a good way for many cyclists to read what's going on, and I know it works for many of my local clubs to keep in contact.

 

[Fab Foodie]

But not part of the pack - I think that's the difference.

But one is how I see myself, the other is how I'm likely now perceived by strangers and the latter is the nub of this thread ....

 

[stephec]

But one is how I see myself, the other is how I'm likely now perceived by strangers and the latter is the nub of this thread ....

Everyone who knows me knows that I was a cyclist before it was fashionable, for the opinions of strangers who want to judge me purely on appearance I couldn't give a flying fark.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

But one is how I see myself, the other is how I'm likely now perceived by strangers and the latter is the nub of this thread ....

I'm not sure quite how much consideration you can reasonably give to the possible thoughts of strangers lumping you in with neopedalistas. Just be glad that drivers will be more used to looking out for bikes on the road.

 

[Cuchilo]

Who cares ( apart from you lot ) I wear jeans when out and about and lycra when going for a ride . I'm stuck with what the shops sell so I wear that .
Wearing normal clothes is fine for pootleing . I don't find them fine for riding .

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just be glad that drivers will be more used to looking out for bikes on the road.

... for the projection of more abuse probably!

 

[Louch]

This thread Dissapoints me. Bit too much bitterness and resentment of others . Cycling isnt anyone's to own or set standards. I only started cycling last January, have my second bike, wear kit that matches. Wear a helmet and glasses. Still eat like a pig but cycle my arse off when I'm out, and regularly ride with folk from on here that are now friends. But sorry I should have asked permission first ?!?

 

[slowmotion]

I don't care what people wear, what they ride, or how good they are. Good manners always count with me. As a general observation, it seems that the more blinged-up people are, the ruder they tend to be, whether on the Chelsea Embankment or Richmond Park. They don't look very happy either. Maybe that's just their daft sunglasses.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

The more I see the Helmets people wear (including myself until recently) I begin to think that they are all unwittingly partaking in some sort of evil mass Doctor Whoesque outer space radio beam receiver execise, and by the end of the day, we will all be doomed, DOOMED I tell you, DOOOOOOMMMMMMMED!

There, said it, the OP has every right to be suspicious - If we are invaded by Aliens, blame the cyclists!! Nuff said.

 

[mustang1]

I think I'm gonna get out of this cycling lark and get back into running. I get fitter faster when running, takes less time to get fitter, and super cheap.